A good going out top does one job: it makes a simple outfit feel like an occasion. It doesn't have to be sparkly, tight or cropped. For dinner with friends, a show, a gallery opening or a date, the tops that work best are the ones with a strong color or a great neckline, a fabric that sits smoothly and a fit you don't have to think about once you're out the door. This guide covers the styles that work, how to choose by occasion, colors for evening, what to wear them with and how to dress one up or down.
Shop going out tops: Our tops are made in the USA in a microfiber and spandex knit that skims without clinging and holds its shape from dinner to the last song. Sizes XS to XL.
The Holiday Tops Edit · Deborah V-neck · Christina shell · Juliet jewel neck · Coral tops · Holiday party outfits
What makes a top a going out top?
Most going out tops share three things.
- Something to look at. A saturated color, a flattering neckline, a bare shoulder or arm, or a texture. One feature is enough.
- A fit that stays put. No straps to adjust, no hem that rides up when you reach for a glass, no neckline that slides. You should be able to forget about it.
- A finish that looks intentional. Smooth fabric, clean seams and no visible wear. A going out top looks like you chose it for tonight, even if it's the same one you wore last month.
That leaves out a lot of what gets sold as going out tops: things that are uncomfortable, need a special bra, or only work for one kind of night. The tops below work for most women at most occasions.
The going out top styles that work
The V-neck in a strong color
A soft V-neck lengthens the neck and frames a necklace. In a deep pink, coral or red it reads as a choice, not a default. Three-quarter sleeves look finished with or without a jacket and let a bracelet show.
The sleeveless shell
A boatneck shell shows the shoulders and arms without showing much else. It is the most versatile going out top there is: on its own with wide-leg trousers in summer, under a leather jacket or blazer in autumn.
The fitted tank
A black scoop-neck tank in a smooth, opaque knit is the going out equivalent of the little black dress. Add statement earrings and it's done.
The long sleeve with a high neck
A jewel neck or turtleneck in a bright color is the cold-weather answer. It covers up and still looks dressed up, especially with a bold lip or big earrings.
Deborah V-neckBougainvillea · S–XL · $94A deep pink V-neck that does the work of a statement blouse.
Christina shellRed · XS, S, M, XL · $88Sleeveless boatneck. Clean under a jacket, bold on its own.
Stephanie tankBlack · XS, S · $84Scoop-neck tank with a smooth, fitted line.
Juliet jewel neckBougainvillea · XS–XL · $99Long sleeve, high neckline, full color.
Going out tops by occasion
| Occasion | Top that works | Wear it with |
|---|---|---|
| Dinner with friends | V-neck in a strong color | Dark jeans, block heels or loafers |
| Date night | Sleeveless shell or fitted tank | Wide-leg trousers or a midi skirt, heeled sandals or ankle boots |
| Theater, concert or show | Long sleeve jewel neck or turtleneck | Black trousers, a long coat, flats you can walk in |
| Work drinks | The top you wore to work, minus the cardigan | Same trousers, swap to a heel and add earrings |
| Birthday or celebration | The brightest top you own | Black everything else so the color leads |
| Vacation evenings | Sleeveless V-neck or shell | White trousers or a skirt, flat sandals |
If you're not sure how dressy the night is, wear a strong-color top with black trousers. Add a heel and jewelry if it turns out formal, keep flats if it doesn't.
Colors that look best after dark
Evening light is warmer and dimmer than daylight, which flattens pale colors and makes saturated ones glow. That's why the classic going out colors are black, red, deep pink, cobalt and jewel tones. Warm corals look especially good in candlelight and on mature skin, where they bring color back to the face. If you prefer neutrals, choose a warm one, like pearl or cream, over stark white, and add texture or shine through jewelry.
A useful rule: one color, everything else dark. A coral or bougainvillea top with black trousers and black shoes looks far more deliberate than two or three colors competing.
Deborah V-neckConstant Coral · XS, M, L, XL · $94Warm coral that flatters in evening light.
Tracey sleeveless V-neckPearl · XS, S, L · $86Sleeveless V-neck in a soft, warm neutral.
Jackie turtleneckCerulean · XS–XL · $105A fine-knit turtleneck that layers under a jacket.
Sabrina boatneckBlack · XS–XL · $94Boatneck, 3/4 sleeve. Smooth under a blazer.
More by color: We keep a page for each color we stock in depth, so you can see every style in that shade with in-stock sizes.
Coral tops · Periwinkle tops · The Smart Casual Edit · The Tunic Edit
What to wear with a going out top
- Dark jeans. Straight or wide leg, no rips, a clean hem. The most common going out pairing for a reason.
- Black wide-leg trousers. Instantly dressier than jeans and comfortable for a long evening.
- A midi skirt. Satin or a smooth knit with a fitted top is an easy balance of volume.
- Leather or faux-leather trousers. Add edge to a simple shell or tank.
- A layer. A blazer, a cropped jacket or a long coat. The going out top should still be the thing people notice.
For shoes, block heels, heeled ankle boots, pointed flats and strappy sandals all work. Choose something you can stand in for a couple of hours.
How to dress a top up or down
The same top can go to the office at 9 and dinner at 7 with three changes. Take off the cardigan or blazer, or swap it for a leather jacket. Change flats for a heel or a sandal. Add one statement accessory: big earrings, a cuff or a bold lip. Going the other way, put a cardigan over a sleeveless shell, wear it with tailored trousers and loafers, and it's ready for business casual the next morning.
That's why it's worth buying going out tops in the same smooth, non-wrinkle fabric as your work tops: they pack, they don't need ironing, and you'll actually wear them more than a few times a year. If an invitation says smart casual or just casual, our dress code guides show how far up or down to go.
Going out tops for women over 40, 50 and 60
The rules don't change with age, but priorities often do: more coverage at the upper arm, a neckline that frames rather than reveals, and a fit that skims the middle. Three-quarter sleeves, boatnecks and soft V-necks cover all three. Color matters more than cut here. A strong color near the face does more for an evening outfit than any amount of embellishment, and it photographs well. Our guide to the best clothing colors for women over 60 goes deeper on which shades flatter which skin tones.
Dressing for the holidays? See our holiday party outfits guide, what to wear for Thanksgiving, Christmas outfits for women, our gift guide for her and the Holiday Tops Edit.
Looking for everyday tops too? See our guide to cute tops for women.
Going out tops questions, answered
What is a going out top?
A going out top is a top you wear for evenings and social occasions: dinner, drinks, a date, a show or a party. It usually has one standout feature, such as a strong color, a flattering neckline or bare shoulders, and a fit that stays in place all night.
What tops look good for a night out?
A V-neck in a strong color, a sleeveless boatneck shell, a fitted black tank and a long-sleeve jewel neck or turtleneck in a bright shade all work for most nights out. Pair any of them with dark jeans or black trousers.
What colors are best for going out tops?
Black, red, deep pink, coral, cobalt and jewel tones look best in evening light. If you prefer neutrals, choose a warm one like pearl or cream over stark white.
What do you wear with a going out top?
Dark jeans, black wide-leg trousers, a midi skirt or leather trousers, with block heels, heeled ankle boots, pointed flats or sandals. Add a blazer, cropped jacket or long coat when it's cool.
Can I wear a work top to go out?
Yes. Take off the cardigan or blazer, switch to a heel or sandal and add one statement accessory such as big earrings. A smooth, solid top in a strong color moves from office to dinner easily.
What are good going out tops for women over 50?
Three-quarter sleeve V-necks, sleeveless boatneck shells with a jacket, and long-sleeve jewel necks in a strong color. They offer more coverage at the arm and neckline while still looking dressed up.
