WHAT ARE WE WEARING? FOUR SMART/CASUAL/FUN LOOKS FOR GIRLS’ NIGHT
all looks courtesy of Avenue
The best girls’ night outfit should look polished, feel comfortable, and leave enough room for the evening to become whatever it wants to be.
By Jillian Pfennig
Every girls’ night starts with the same question: What are we wearing?
It sounds simple until the plan includes dinner, a waterfront walk, cocktails, and the very real possibility that someone will suggest dancing. Suddenly, your outfit has a full job description. It needs to photograph well, feel comfortable, match the occasion, and survive every unexpected stop along the way.
My favorite answer is to think in three words: smart/casual/fun.
“Smart” gives the outfit polish. “Casual” means you can comfortably live your life in it, especially if you are meeting up after work. “Fun” is the color, texture, print, or little bit of sparkle that reminds you this is not just another night out. It is time with the women who let you laugh too loudly, tell the same story for the hundredth time, and order dessert without pretending you are going to share.
These four looks, available through Avenue, offer a different interpretation of that formula.
Smart Without Feeling Stiff
A shirtdress is one of those magical wardrobe pieces that makes you appear instantly put together, even when getting ready was anything but organized.
The blue-and-white Leona Stripe Shirtdress with Belt, brings structure through its classic stripes, button-front styling, and waist-defining belt. It feels polished enough for a restaurant reservation but relaxed enough for an afternoon meetup, that turns into an evening out. Especially when you don’t have time to run home before dinner.
The belt creates shape without requiring the dress to cling, while the long silhouette gives you plenty of room to move. Roll the sleeves, add a few pieces of gold jewelry, and you have an outfit that feels intentional without looking overworked.
Pairing it with the white Charlie Slip-On, keeps the look grounded and practical. The clean white shoe complements the stripes, while its stretch construction, cushioned footbed, and padded heel make it a smart option when the evening involves more walking than originally advertised.
This is the look for brunch that becomes shopping, shopping that becomes dinner, and dinner that somehow becomes “just one more place.”
Casual Can Still Make an Entrance
Whoever decided that casual had to mean forgettable clearly never met the Annabelle Print Jumpsuit.
The Annabelle turns a one-piece outfit into a complete moment. Its vibrant pattern delivers the fun, while the off-the-shoulder neckline, shirred bodice, and wide-leg silhouette create an easy shape that feels both playful and polished.
A printed jumpsuit is also one of my favorite solutions for nights when I do not want to spend twenty minutes deciding which top works with which bottom. Put it on, add a shoe, grab a bag, and the outfit is done.
To sharpen the look, the Jeanine Pointy Toe Pump, adds a more sophisticated finish. Its pointed toe gives the relaxed silhouette a little edge, while the three-inch heel and cushioned insole provide height without asking you to completely sacrifice comfort.
The result lands right in that sweet spot between casual and dressy, and heavy on the comfort. You can wear it to dinner, a show, rooftop drinks, or anywhere else you want your outfit to say, “I came to have fun, but yes, I did think this through.”
Let Texture Bring the Fun
Texture is one of the easiest ways to make a simple outfit feel more considered. It adds visual interest before you have even reached for the accessories.
The burnt-orange Knit Gauze Cascade Dress, does exactly that. Its softly crinkled knit gauze gives the dress an airy, relaxed appearance, while the V-neckline and defined waist seam provide just enough structure. Subtle pleating creates movement through the skirt, and the asymmetrical wrap-style hem keeps the silhouette from feeling predictable.
The color does plenty of the work on its own. Burnt orange feels warm, confident, and joyful, which makes it especially well suited to a girls’ night where the goal is to look good without appearing overly formal.
The black Genevieve Pump, grounds the brighter dress and gives the outfit a polished finish. Its leather-like upper, full back zipper, padded insole, and 2½-inch heel make it a versatile option for dressing up an otherwise relaxed silhouette.
Together, the pieces create an outfit that feels smart/casual/fun in equal measure. It works for an early dinner on the patio, drinks with the girls, or any evening when comfort matters but showing up in color feels even better.
Bring a Little After-Dark Drama
Some girls’ nights call for a little extra shimmer. Not because the plans demand it, but because you felt like being the person who catches the light every time she walks into the room.
The Lucia Plisse Maxi Dress, is made for exactly that mood. Its V-neckline, gathered bust, full-length sleeves, and flowing maxi silhouette create an elegant foundation, while metallic threading brings the drama. The pleated texture shifts with the light and gives the dress movement without needing an elaborate print or layers of accessories.
The silhouette feels glamorous, but it is not precious. You can wear it to cocktails, a birthday dinner, a celebration, or any night when the group chat decides that everyone is actually dressing up.
The gold Karen Espadrille, continues the metallic story without making the outfit feel too formal. Its leather-like upper and gold finish complement the shimmer of the dress, while the jute-wrapped wedge, memory-foam insole, and 2½-inch heel bring a more relaxed energy than a traditional evening pump.
It is a combination that feels glamorous beside the water, polished enough for dinner, and comfortable enough to keep the night going. This is the friend who hears “casual drinks” and arrives ready for the best photograph of the evening. Honestly, we need her.
The Real Girls’ Night Dress Code
The best part of dressing for girls’ night is that no one needs to match.
One friend can arrive in sneakers and stripes. Another can choose a bold print. Someone else may want velvet, heels, or a dress that brings all the drama. The pictures look better when everyone brings her own personality into the frame.
Choose your shoes based on the actual itinerary, not the imaginary version of the evening where nobody walks more than ten feet, and that might look different for everybody. Let one detail lead the outfit instead of making every piece compete for attention. Most importantly, do not save the colors, shapes, or fabrics you love for some future version of your body or a “special enough” occasion.
Time with your girls is already the occasion.
The best compliment at the end of the night is not that an outfit made you look smaller or successfully hid part of your body. It is hearing, “You looked like you were having the best time.”
That is always in style.
