9 New Ways to Dress for Special Events

3. A job interview

Even if your interview is a virtual one, pull together a head-to-toe look for a more confident attitude. It’ll show on screen in your face and body language. You can’t lose in a neutral pant/blazer combo like the H&M Single-Breasted Women’s Jacket in Taupe ($35, www2.hm.com/en_us) and the Loft Curvy Riviera Slim Pants in Forever Navy or Black ($80, loft.com) to project instant power. Frame your face with a crisp white shirt or blouse under that blazer for extra radiance. For a second callback or when the job is in retail, fashion or public relations, choose a colorful blazer like the Mango Linen Blazer Suit in Red ($120, shop.mango.com/us) or a fit-and-flare dress like the Livid Casey Scuba Flare Dress in Navy or Black ($79, shop.dia.com) to look up to date, but keep the focus on your skills and abilities. For desk-side interviews, wear closed-toe shoes and carry a structured workbag.

(Left to right) Ava & Viv Women’s Plus Size Balloon Lon Sleeve Dress in Green; River Island Black Shirred Smock Midi Dress; Kiyonna Plus Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress in Navy Floral Print; Journee Collection Angelina Wedge Sandal in Nude

Target; River Island; Nordstrom; DSW

4. A summer wedding or elegant outdoorsy party

As fancy as it gets, but the big issues here are sweat, sunburn and humidity so forget about wearing anything tight and constricting (including major shape wear). A graceful midi dress with voluminous sleeves, like the Ava & Viv Women’s Plus Size Balloon Lon Sleeve Dress in Green ($35, target.com), River Island Black Shirred Smock Midi Dress ($74, riverisland.com/us/women) or Kiyonna Plus Flirty Flounce Wrap Dress in Navy Floral Print ($98, nordstrom.com), will let air circulate, camouflage a few extra pounds and make sitting crossed-leg perspiration proof. Add wedge sandals like the Journee Collection Angelina Wedge Sandal in Nude or Pink ($55, dsw.com/en/us) for grassy strolls, and carry sun protection for a touch-up in your clutch.

(Left to right) Ava & Viv Women’s Plus Size Long Sleeve Ruched Bodice Dress in Black; Who What Wear Women’s Plus Elbow-Sleeve Polo Rib Dress in Black; Sam Edelman Women’s Connell Slingback Flats in Black

Target (2); Bloomingdale's

5. For a funeral, wake, memorial or celebration of life

This is not the moment for your favorite zebra print blouse or a pastel dress no matter how demure. Say no to sneakers, statement earrings and stacks of clanky bangles, too. Quiet and low-key is the idea. A black pants or skirt outfit (dark gray or navy if you don’t have black) or a black dress like the Ava & Viv Women’s Plus Size Long Sleeve Ruched Bodice Dress in Black ($25, target.com) or Who What Wear Women’s Plus Elbow-Sleeve Polo Rib Dress in Black ($37, target.com) sets the right tone. You may want to add grass-proof closed-toe shoes like the Sam Edelman Women’s Connell Slingback Flats in Black ($120, bloomingdales.com) for funeral attendance. One caveat: If the celebration of life asks specifically for attendees to wear white or joyful colors (and some do these days) do participate.

(Left to right) NYDJ Marilyn Straight-Leg Jeans in Optic White; Caslon Stripe Split-Neck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt in Blue-White Charm Stripe; River Island Orange Print Shirt; Stella Carakasi Tiburon Tunic Icon in Kiwi

Bloomingdale's; Nordstrom; River Island; Stella Carakasi

6. For a first date

It’s an insta-date world so no more, “He’ll have to call me by Tuesday to see me on Saturday.” A casual coffee or glass of wine is all it takes these days to say yea or nay to an online match or a fix-up by friends. White jeans like NYDJ Marilyn Straight-Leg Jeans in Optic White ($119, bloomingdales.com) always look fresh in summer but it’s the top that reveals your personality so give that more thought. A polished T-shirt like the Caslon Stripe Split-Neck Long-Sleeve T-Shirt in Blue-White Charm Stripe or Red-White Charm Stripe ($39, nordstrom.com), an eye-catching blouse like the River Island Orange Print Shirt ($67, riverisland.com) or a classic tunic in a flattering-for-you color, like the Stella Carakasi Tiburon Tunic Icon in Kiwi ($169, stellacarakasi.com), will make you feel current. Just tousle your hair, brush your teeth, add some blush or lipstick and a spritz of perfume.

7. A concert

Well … it depends on what, when and where, doesn’t it? A rock concert or bluegrass evening in the park might mean jeans, but an orchestrated evening of Brahms, opera at the theater or a string quartet at your local community center deserves more polish. There’s an easy solution for all. A fashionable white top — a blouse like the Wit & Wisdom Eyelet Popover Top in Optic White ($79, nordstrom.com), a derriere-covering tunic like the Foxcroft Vena Cotton Gauze Tunic in White ($79, nordstrom.com) or a trendy-sleeved tee like the Chico’s Cotton-Blend Slub Drama-Sleeve Top in Alabaster ($29, chicos.com) — works with a variety of bottom options from jeans to pants to breezy midi skirts like the Madewell Pull-On Midi Skirt in Shibori Indigo Plaid ($95, madewell.com). Slip on black ballet flats like the Esprit Women’s Narissa Ballet Flats in Black ($34, macys.com) for an elegant finish either way.

(Left to right) Lands’ End Women’s Plus-Size Cotton Jersey Embroidered Sleeveless Swim Cover-Up Dress in Papaya Orange/White; L.L. Bean Women’s SunSmart UPF50+ Cover-Up Dress in Black and White Palms; Lou & Grey Signaturesoft Tank Midi Pocket Dress in Balsam Green

Lands' End; L.L. Bean; LOFT

8. A beach or pool party

This is the invitation that gives many women pause because it means a swimsuit. But does it really? Not necessarily! Wear a cover-up dress like the L.L. Bean Women’s SunSmart UPF50+ Cover-Up Dress in Black and White Palms ($70, llbean.com), Lands’ End Women’s Plus-Size Cotton Jersey Embroidered Sleeveless Swim Cover-Up Dress in Papaya Orange/White ($32, landsend.com) or Lou & Grey Signaturesoft Tank Midi Pocket Dress in Balsam Green or Black ($75, loft.com) over any black one-piece (just in case) and you’re done. You’ll look chic and feel under no obligation to show anything more unless you want to. 

(Clockwise from top left) Croft & Barrow Women’s Comfortable Pull-On Jean Shorts in Dark Wash; GapFit Breathe Sweatshirt in Heather Grey; Columbia Women’s Anytime Outdoor Bermuda Shorts in Black; Sonoma Goods for Life Women’s Comfort Waist Utility Capri Pants in Khaki; Kelly & Katie Ellina Mesh Slip-On Sneaker in Off-White

Kohl's; Gap; Kohl's (2); DSW

9. A sports event

Outdoorsy days are often a mash-up of outfits that are either lacking in style or uncomfortable for hours of sitting in the bleachers, on the sidelines or on a boat. Whether you’re invited to a baseball game, a sailing party or a golf match, do yourself a favor and pull together a real look. Start with lightweight slip-on sneakers like the Kelly & Katie Ellina Mesh Slip-On Sneaker in Off-White or Grey ($50, dsw.com/en/us) and then add capris like the Sonoma Goods for Life Women’s Comfort Waist Utility Capri Pants in Khaki or Chic Mauve ($24, kohls.com) for full coverage, or pull-on denim Bermuda-length shorts like the Croft & Barrow Women’s Comfortable Pull-On Jean Shorts in Dark Wash or Medium Wash ($25, kohls.com) or the Columbia Women’s Anytime Outdoor Bermuda Shorts in Black, Nocturnal or Tusk ($45, kohls.com) for bare-leg freedom. Add a tee and a light sweatshirt like the GapFit Breathe Sweatshirt in Heather Grey or True Black ($19, gap.com) for chill prevention.

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.