8 Trendy Items to Buy If You Haven't Shopped for Going-Out Clothes in Ages

Something that's become very apparent to me lately is that I have a deficit in the wardrobe category referred to as "going-out clothes"—and with good reason. It's been two years since I've bought anything to wear out at night during the summer, but now that the country has opened back up and I actually have places to wear fun things that wouldn't look right before at least 5:00 p.m., I'm finding myself in need of some new items.

You've probably noticed that staying-home sweatsuits have been replaced by going-out minidresses and the like on Instagram, and I've been keeping track. Several major categories have emerged, and knowing what they are will lay the groundwork for some productive shopping for going-out clothes. People have really been going all out (no pun intended) with their looks after being stuck at home for so many months, so feel free to have as much fun with it as the stylish women below are having.

Scroll on to educate yourself on the biggest going-out fashion items of 2021 and to shop them for your own potential wardrobe deficit. 

Crop Tops

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(Image credit: @devonleecarlson)

It's no secret that fashion girls love a good crop top, so you can guarantee you'll see plenty of fancy ones every time you go out this summer.

Shop our picks:

Minidresses and Miniskirts

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(Image credit: @anaasaber)

We predicted months ago that mini lengths would be everywhere in 2021, and we were correct. We've been seeing them with everything from the highest heels to sneakers.

Shop our picks:

Corset Tops

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(Image credit: @ali_tate_cutler)

You probably have Bridgerton to thank for this one, at least partly. The market is saturated with cool corset tops, and we love them.

Shop our picks:

Cutout Dresses and Tops

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(Image credit: @laurenegg)

Cutout dresses have been a trend for a minute, and now, we actually have places to wear them, which is a beautiful thing.

Shop our picks:

Two-Piece Sets

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(Image credit: @slipintostyle)

You can file matching sets under "easiest going-out outfits you can wear." Prepare to look cool and polished with minimal effort.

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Heels!

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(Image credit: @emilisindlev)

Thanks to all the slippers and flat shoes I wore throughout 2020, I was starting to think my feet were getting flatter, but that's all changed now. Even though there were times I thought I'd never want to wear heels again, they're actually all I want to wear lately.

Shop our picks:

Ruched Dresses

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(Image credit: @chrissyford)

Ruched dresses are one of the biggest dress trends to emerge this year, and with good reason. They're quite flattering, and they can easily be dressed up or down.

Shop our picks:

Baggy Jeans

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(Image credit: @alyssainthecity)

There's nothing that looks cooler with a going-out top than baggy jeans. Here's the proof.

Shop our picks:

Next up: "Barbie Heels" Are Trending, and These Are the 28 Pairs I'm Vibing With the Most

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Allyson Payer
Senior Editor

Allyson is a senior editor for Who What Wear. She joined the company in 2014 as co-founder Katherine Power's executive assistant and over the years has written hundreds of stories for Who What Wear. Prior to her career in fashion, Allyson worked in the entertainment industry at companies such as Sony Pictures Television. Allyson is now based in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She holds a BFA in theater. Her path to fashion may not have been linear, but based on the number of fashion magazines she collected as a child and young adult, it was meant to be.