The party don't start til you walk in

The problem with college is that a large population of students live in a VERY close proximity for 4 years, and this can lead to shared thoughts, opinions, and styles. Come formal time, it’s very easy for a group of people like this to all go for the SAME dress or the SAME suit (or at least very similar versions). I’m here to give you some #FreshTakes on the classic formal look, so you can stand out and look AMAZING. Y’welcome.

1. A sheer, shimmery skirt

I don’t know if anyone has been as invested in Julianne Hough’s life this past year as I have...but if you haven’t, please pause and google the dress she’s wearing in the BEAUTIFUL wedding pictures that were taken on a boat and a dock. I’ll wait here. Done? Great. Well, the sparkly sheer skirt-over-bodysuit look is EVERYTHING right now. This Boohoo number is the perfect way to shine at formal in a unique way.

2. A colorful suit

A pop of color is a great way to stand out from the crowd. And if you’re a newbie to the “pop of color” game, something like this rag & bone muted teal/blue is the perfect option. Feel free to coordinate your suit color with your date, if applicable...or just match YOURSELF.

3. LBD (LONG black dress)

Ok you had to know there would be an elegant, structured black dress on this list. I think simple and classic dresses like this one from Missguided are too few and far between these days, and the structured v-plunges in the front and back add just enough flair to keep it interesting. Cat-eye eyeliner not REQUIRED, but STRONGLY recommended.

4. Velvet accents

VELVET, YOU GUYS. VELVET. There is nothing more important to me than velvet accents right now, and a nice velvet lapel is such a great way to do that. I love this navy Boohoo suit, but even a plain black suit can be jaw-dropping with a touch of velvet. Do it. DOOOO IT. Please and thank you (and you’re welcome).

5. A jumpsuit OBVIOUSLY

One of my best friends wore a jumpsuit to my college formal, and she is and forever will be my hero for it. NOT ONLY did she look like a GODDESS, but she was able to move and jump and dance and run and jump and twirl and cartwheel (you know, all the things you do at a formal) freely. I honestly can’t decide whether I love this Urban Outfitters jumpsuit in black or rose gold more, but I mean you have a discount, so you could always get both…...

6. Statement suit jacket

Patterned suit jacket. I mean, obviously. I think these are going to be seen more and more this year, which is why you have to make sure you have a GOOD one. This Moss Bros. paisley jacket adds the perfect blend of texture and shine- if you don’t want to wear a tie or bowtie, a jacket like this will compensate without you looking half-dressed.

7. A deep gem tone

Two of my favorite dress trends are wrap dresses and emerald green….so you can IMAGINE my excitement when I came across this EMERALD GREEN WRAP DRESS from PrettyLittleThing. I’ve never met a person who doesn’t look incredible in emerald, and the empire waist on this bad boy can hug curves so well. Also, asymmetrical hemline YES PLEASE.

8. A statement shirt

Whether you choose to do a colorful suit or not, you can’t go wrong by putting a patterned shirt underneath it. Similar to the statement jacket, a statement shirt saves you from having to add a tie or bowtie (but by all means, feel free to add one!), I love the way Express paired a colorful suit WITH a patterned shirt. You wouldn’t even notice he isn’t wearing a tie- but also, imagine how sick a black bowtie would look with the outfit if he added one?!

9. Lacey lacey

I just feel like in general, you can’t go wrong with a nice lace number like this one from Tobi. It’s partially sheer, and it has a high slit, AND it’s elegant and would definitely not make grandma shudder when she saw the pictures. It’s another way to do the sheer skirt trend, without DOING the sheer skirt trend. A gateway to the sheer skirt trend, if you will. A beautiful, lacey gateway.

10. A tailored pant

Good news, fellas: those pants you still have from 3 years ago that are about 3 inches too short are back IN! Adding a tailored pant to your outfit is a great way to add a little flair, even if the rest of your outfit is muted and traditional. I love that these ASOS pants are a little loose, too. I picture these pants having either suspenders or a bowtie on top….but I won’t judge you if you choose not to go that route.

11. A plunging neckline

Ok, I may be cheating by putting another long black dress on here….but structured necklines and plunging necklines are both very important to me and both deserve their own platforms. This gorgeous Express dress has a deep V front and an intricate open back, so it’s anything but a “plain” black dress. And you can do so much to accessorize it: gold jewelry, emeralds, red lips…...

12. Mismatched colors

A suit that is more than one color is a suit that I like. Bonus points if the jacket is a different color AND has a pattern to it. More bonus points for the addition of a pocket square. EVEN MORE bonus points if that pocket square adds a pop of color and/or texture. Original Penguin has earned about 10,000 bonus points for this outfit, for those keeping score at home. AND YOU CAN TOO.

13. Sleeves. Pop of red. Silk. Wrap dress.

I don’t even know which detail to focus on with this For Love and Lemons dress, honestly. It’s the best of ALL worlds. I think sleeves on formal gowns are underappreciated and should be done more often- especially if you’re still showing some skin on a deep neckline and/or high slit. I’m obsessed with the model matching her lipstick with the dress, and I would also love to see what a deep,deep burgundy lip would look like with it (if you try it, I expect selfies).

14. Mixed patterns

I didn’t know I liked mismatched patterns until, like, right now with this French Connection number. If you’re not a super formal person, but you’re still trying to dress up and look a little snazzy, a patterned jacket with a DIFFERENTLY patterned shirt is the perfect look for you. It’s just the right balance of formal, casual, playful, and, again, grandma-approved (you KNOW she’s gonna ask for pictures, I mean come on).