What to Wear to a Bar

Last call to pick out the perfect bar; it's time to hit the town. Or, if you prefer to venture off the beaten path, maybe it's time to hit a tiny, centuries-old pub on the outskirts of Dublin. Wherever you're going and whatever you're sipping, dressing up for a bar visit requires achieving the perfect mix of comfort and style. Outfit ideas for going out vary depending on the season, weather, current trends, and your personal taste overall. Bar outfits can be very versatile, with some bars calling for more dressy styles and others that suit a more casual look. Others might be a combo between the two dress codes.

In this article, we will serve as your personal style guide, providing bar outfit ideas for a wide variety of situations.

Before you pick your perfect bar-hopping outfit, check the forecast. If you plan to sample a bunch of bars but the night promises to be rainy or snowy, that'll affect your outerwear and footwear decisions. If it does look like it's going to be a wet or cold night, stick with flat, non-slip shoes and bring a warm coat. After a few drinks, your body might not feel cold when you step outside, but you should still have warm things on hand to keep yourself safe and comfortable.

Some stylish outfit pieces for a ‌colder bar night‌ might include:

• Leather pants
• Leather jackets
• Jeans
• Simple long sleeve shirts
• A turtleneck sweater or shirt

Stylish pieces for a ‌warmer night out‌ might include:

• Summer dresses
• Knee-high boots
• Mini skirts
• Denim jackets
• Light cardigans

As mentioned before, bars and clubs can vary in what they expect patrons to wear. Casual bars don’t usually have any sort of dress code, and people have the choice of whatever they will want to wear, whether that be jeans, shorts, dresses, or streetwear pieces like fashionable sneakers and oversized, vintage jackets.

There are, however, other bars and nightclubs that might call for visitors to dress a little nicer for the occasion. For bars with a more VIP, fancy vibe, women might consider wearing pieces like a simple black dress with stilettos or a classy blazer with a mini skirt and high heels. Men, on the other hand, might wear a button-down shirt with dark jeans and a pair of dress shoes.

When in doubt, wear jeans. They're a bar-going staple for a reason. Stow your cash, ID and a phone in your pockets and make a style statement at the same time. Opt for dark, skinny jeans if you want to look classy and polished, or wear ripped and slouchy jeans to get that just-off-the-beach, laid back look. Frankly, any pair of jeans that you love and feel great in is a good choice for a bar.

Tip

If you're going to a swanky nightclub, make sure to check the dress code first. Some such spots have strict rules about jeans, hats, graphic T-shirts and other style statements. Clubs in major cities tend to be the strictest.

Rather than focusing on the specific type of top that's suitable for going out (should you dress up with a collared shirt or sequins, or go casual in the perfect white T-shirt?), reach for the one shirt that makes you feel the most attractive and comfortable. Unless you're going to a nightclub with a strict dress code, you can make your own call about what type of shirt to wear (i.e., long sleeve, short sleeve, tank tops, crop tops, v-neck, scoop necks). Just make it something that makes you feel great.

Unless you're drinking hot toddies in a ski bar, you probably don't need to bundle up. In fact, bars tend to be warm, thanks to all the people sharing one confined (and usually poorly ventilated) space. Avoid wearing sweaters on top of shirts on top of tank tops unless you tend to run cold.

Tip

Trying out a new hot spot for the first time? Get a sense of its vibe and general dress code by checking its online reviews on popular sites like Yelp. Scroll through photos to see how previous visitors have dressed for the place.

Reality check: no one's looking at your shoes in a bar. In fact, unless you're literally dancing on the bar itself, few people will be able to see your shoes. Most bars are dark. Crowds obscure the floor view even more. And although you may have a vision of curling up in a corner booth, there may be no available seating in your chosen establishment. Choose shoes that you can comfortably stand in for hours, like loafers or ballet flats. If you want to wear heels for extra height, make them wedges with plenty of support. Assess the environment and try to predict the kinds of activities you will get into at the bar or club – this will help you decide the best shoes for you.

Ladies, that massive tote may hold everything you need to keep your life running during the day, but at night it's just a hazard. If your purse is obtrusive enough to knock drinks out of other people's hands, it's too big. And when the drinks start flowing, you run a higher risk of being careless with your large bag and misplacing it. Carry your wallet like a clutch or transfer your cash, phone and lipstick into a smaller cross-body bag.

Tip

Amp up your look if it's a special occasion, like New Year's Eve. A sparkly cocktail dress or a dress shirt, blazer and jeans fits the bill.

Going out should be fun! Take a chance and jazz up your normal look with something special. It might be a bold lipstick, a sequined headband or a piece of studded jewelry. Granted, this is harder to pull off for guys. But if you've always wanted to sport a fedora or try suspenders, a night at a bar is the perfect time to take a risk, especially if you're far from home.