A going-out tops appreciation post

I first started using the term "going-out tops" in college, when I had a collection of crappy, mostly polyester tops that I'd wear out to the bars or frat parties. I say crappy because they were not the highest quality—most of them probably came from Contempo Casuals, where I worked—but that was intentional, because they'd inevitably end up smelling like smoke and beer at the end of the night (remember when you could smoke indoors in the '90s?!), so I didn't mind if they got somewhat ruined. I paired my going-out tops with jeans or, if I was really getting dressed up, with black pants, all of which were low rise and bootcut. Once I started working and could afford something slightly nicer, I started collecting more grown-up going-out tops from Intermix (R.I.P.), Scoop, (same), or various sample sales in NYC. But then I settled down and while I still went out—more to restaurants than to clubs—I gravitated toward more subdued, serious clothes. After all, I didn't need to catch anyone's eye anymore! Fast-forward 15 years, and I'm in a different (and happy!) relationship now, but I am much more social, especially post-pandemic. Whether I'm meeting my girlfriends for drinks or going out to dinner with another couple, I've found myself struggling in recent years with what to wear. San Francisco is definitely a low-key town when it comes to fashion, but especially since I'm dressed pretty casually for most of the day, I really want to make an effort in the evening. And that's when it hit me: I didn't have any going-out tops!

I started shopping for going-out tops in January; I picked up a very rock-and-roll animal-print AllSaints blouse in Vancouver at Mine & Yours, which is like The Real Real of Canada. While I was there, I tried on an Isabel Marant top that I was in love with, but it was a little pricey ($150 from what I remember) and considering I had just left my job the previous week, I was trying not to spend too much money. The top stuck in my head, however, so when I got home, I did a reverse Google image search and, lo and behold, found the same one (in my size!) for $49 on The Real Real. Sold! This top is a little more elevated than the going-out tops of my youth. For one, it's designer. For another, it's more conservative in its cut, although you can unbutton the buttons as low as you want. But it has a subtle sparkle to it, which I love, and it's just fun and colorful. I'm wearing it with black pants here (more on that in a minute) but it will look just as cute with jeans, especially in the summer. I am trying to be very mindful about what I buy this year, but this top really reminded me that I need more joy in my wardrobe—for going out, and for everyday.

We shot these photos on my birthday after we went out to lunch at Cotogna, one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco. I was a little more dressed up than I'd normally be on the weekend, but I think it goes to show that going-out tops don't just have to be for nighttime. As a nod to my college days, I paired my top with some black pants, although you'll notice these are high-waisted and straight-leg, not low-rise and bootcut! A few more upgrades to note: my Loubs, my Chanel WOC, and my favorite Max Mara coat, which I definitely would not leave on the floor of some fraternity house coat room, like I did with my puffer jacket in college (sorry, Mom!). But the best part is that I never come home smelling like smoke nowadays. Growing up is definitely a good thing.