My Grown-Up “Going Out” Outfit Formula

When it’s Tuesday but we’re all already dreaming about happy hour on Friday – it’s just that kinda week. So I figured I’d help speed up the wait to the weekend with a little guide to “going out” as a grown-up. It’s safe to say that we all had our looks when we were younger. When you’re in college or just in your early 20’s, maybe you hit up a store that makes something reminiscent of overpriced clubbing clothes for something to show a little more skin, or pants that requires a cardio workout to get into (the squatting, the jumping – you know the routine 😉 ). But now…you’re grown up. You’re better than that. You know that “sexy” isn’t just the tightest, lowest, skimpiest thing on the rack. So you’re stuck, because most retailers still advertise things like this for a Friday night. And you want/need a going out outfit that doesn’t feel like you’ve resorted to streetwalking

No worries – I’ve got a formula (quite literally) for style success for the rest of your nights out. And I’m SO stoked to be teaming up with Walmart again to share this truly fabulous fall look with you! I had the concept of this post down before I did my shopping. I knew what I had the hopes of finding, since I had the “formula” for a grown-up going out outfit down pat already. Oftentimes, I think we think we need to splurge or go to a higher-end retailer to find the “perfect” look for going out, since it’s a “special occasion” or fancier shindig that’s “worth” the extra bucks.

And don’t get me wrong – there’s a time and a place for a little TREAT YO’SELF splurge.

But I also think it’s TOTALLY POSSIBLE to find a look that makes you feel like a million bucks without having to spend it. And today’s going out outfit is proof of exactly that! As I typically do, I ordered extra pieces than I truly needed, because I wanted to make sure the final result was the ultimate outfit for you girls. So I bought multiple pairs of jeans, multiple boots, etc, so that I could narrow down the best bang for your buck! And y’all…

THIS IS IT.

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

Peasant top // Moto jacket // High-waisted jeans // Thigh-high boots // Circle bag

 

I tried on this outfit the second it arrived on my doorstep and I was SHOOK and couldn’t wait to share it with you. It’s truly the ultimate look for a fall Friday night out, and it fits ALL the criteria of my ~not-so-secret~ formula that I hope you will help whether you’re looking to add a few new pieces to your closet, or just shop from what’s already there.

THE KEY: Balanced fit. Oftentimes, I think we make the mistake of thinking sexy = skintight everything. And while some folks might think that’s the case…I strongly disagree. 😉 Too tight all over can scream slutty sorority party, and just lacks a sense of sophistication that I think many of us want when we’re “all grown up” but still want to look + feel sexier or prettier than the average Tuesday. So when I think “balanced fit,” I think pick ONE thing to be tighter, and then the other intentionally looser or flowier to complement it. In this look, for example, which I break down below, we’ve got a looser, flowier top paired over skin-tight jeggings.

The reverse of this example might be looser, distressed boyfriend jeans paired with a bodysuit that hugs to your top frame.

Make sense?

Cool cool.

 

THE GROWN-UP GOING OUT OUTFIT FORMULA:

1.) FLOWY TOP

This pretty peasant top is SUCH a good option for fall. It’s actually part of Sofia Vergara’s partnership with Walmart!

First off, the color. It comes in quite a few neutrals, but I went with red because #color, and because it makes for a good pop against the rest of the look.

Second, the cut. It’s got a deeper V in the front and cold shoulders, as well as a pretty little ruffle detail at the wrists. All in all, feelin’ all the flirty, feminine feels.

Third, the versatility. The fact that this can go by itself OR layered with something like my moto jacker overtop is a big plus, especially since the temperature starts changing wildly once fall begins to feel like fall.

Fourth, the price. Only $29.

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

2.) HIGH-WAISTED SKINNY JEANS OR JEGGINGS

I gasped out loud in the mirror when I put these on. They. Are. Fabulous. I’ve mentioned multiple times about my favorite denim retailer when you’re looking at a combination of affordability + quality.

Well y’all…these $18 Walmart jeans literally rival my favorite $50+ jeans.

If anything, I’d say they’re just not quite AS thick material-wise. But other than that, they fit perfectly. They feel great. They hug in all the right places, and they’re high-waisted (bless up). Really, really impressed here, people. REALLY impressed.

AND, to top it off, they’re made with something called Repreve, which is an eco-friendly fabric made with recycled bottles. RECYCLED BOTTLES, people! I saw this tag on them and gasped (again) because holy smokes, how cool is that?!

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

3.) THIGH-HIGH BOOTS

Preferably with a pointier toe + heel, since both elements elongate your legs and add a little feminine touch. I freaked when I found these on Walmart’s website, on sale at that. They’re NEVER this cheap, ever. I mean, they’re typically at a much more expensive retailer that shall not be named. 😉 This style of boot is SO GOOD for a going out outfit in particular, because it does a few things for your bod. A.) It makes your legs look longer. Specifically, the pointed toe + heel combo, coupled with the long, sleek boot shaft. B.) It highlights your curves. Since it hugs your thighs, it just naturally draws the eye there to that region. Really, these boots are just a totally classic fall staple won’t go out of style basically ever.

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

4.) MOTO JACKET

A good moto jacket is ALWAYS in style – it’s just classic. This one is vegan leather, and it’s just as nice quality as real, $100+ leather jackets I’ve touched – and obviously a fraction of that price. It edges up the look, which I lovelovelove given that my own personal style is equal parts girly-edgy.

ALSO worth noting – I’ve only talked about them a hundred times – but this drugstore lippy is the best price point at Walmart, and it will stay on your lips literally all night long. Also all day long. It doesn’t budge. As seen in September’s Cool Sh*t I Lovelovelove. I own four shades and counting. So so good.

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

When I walked downstairs in this outfit, J was a BIG FAN.

My mom couldn’t get over what a good “date night” look this would be and offered to babysit. HA.

Heck, even my next door neighbor was feelin’ it when I left the house to shoot and right away wanted to know where the top was from!

This is a going out outfit that just feels fabulous. It makes me feel sexy without being sleazy, while still feeling feminine and pretty. It’s something that could be a go-to for anything from date night with your partner to your next GNO, because it works for nearly any setting, too. The light layering makes it easy in this wonky transitional weather since Mother Nature clearly has some attachment issues to summer ;), while it still “feels” very fall appropriate. And, of course, since it’s head-to-toe from Walmart, it’s all beautifully affordable. 10/10.

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

 My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up RosesMy Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

My Grown-Up "Going Out" Outfit Formula - with Walmart on Coming Up Roses

What’s your go-to grown-up “going out” outfit? Does this formula help?

I hope so!

 

*Thank you to Walmart, a brand I lovelovelove, for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions + thoughts presented are entirely my own. Thank YOU for supporting the brands that support Coming Up Roses!