Bottoms up! Here’s what to wear to happy hour during the summer

Longer days and sunlight until 9pm can only mean one thing: it’s happy hour time! Not all happy hours are created equal, though, and there are plenty of factors—occasion, venue, and company—that you need to take into account when getting ready.

We all know and love happy hour, when bars and pubs worldwide offer cheap drinks and complimentary snacks during the early evening. As a matter of fact, happy hour might just be one of our favourite summer hobbies.

Whether you’re having after-work drinks with your office, a casual night with friends, or attending a special event, you’ll need to match vastly different vibes, so one look does not fit all when it comes to happy hour dressing.

Luckily for you, we have compiled a list of outfit ideas for different happy hour settings, so you can always be the most fashionable at the bar. Read on to discover our picks.

If you’re going from desk to drinks, playing off of your day’s work outfit is the winning strategy. Any piece from our Summer workwear essentials list can be easily remixed for happy hour by adding statement accessories, fancier heels, and swapping your work tote for an elegant clutch.

For example, if you wore a linen dress to work, simply add some chunky bangles, an eye-catching necklace, and a clutch bag.

Or, if you went for a summery skort or a breezy pair of wide-leg trousers, you can swap your top for a souped-up tank or cami—silk, satin, and shiny materials are your friends—or any sleeveless top that is fun but conservative enough for the occasion. Bonus points if you’re already wearing kitten-heeled mules.

There’s no better way to welcome the weekend than with a casual happy hour with your friends!

For a chill night out, pair your favourite blue jeans with a trendy top (draped, ruffled, and one-shoulder are the hottest styles this year) and you’re good to go. We love styling our most romantic tops with low-waisted, baggy jeans for a nice bit of masculine/feminine tension. Depending on the location—the fancy new bar downtown or the local pub?—go for either a pair of heeled mules to elevate the look or leather sandals to go with the relaxed vibe.

Alternatively, you can go for a statement mini skirt, a graphic tee, and your most comfortable pair of heels for a more put-together vibe.

No matter what you’re celebrating—birthday, anniversary, or promotion—bright summer evenings are perfect for a happy hour cocktail party. You’ve got to look the part, but there’s no need for a ball gown.

Happy hour events usually call for cocktail attire, which is elegant but not overly formal. A maxi or midi dress in a vibrant, summery colour or print is always a hit, and puffy sleeves or ruffles are a super trendy way to add some pizzazz to your look. When it comes to sleeves and silhouette, go with whatever feels right: halter, short sleeves, long sleeves, or spaghetti straps.

If dresses aren’t your thing, a sharp pantsuit or flowy wide-leg pants with a classy silk top are fantastic alternatives. And a jumpsuit is always a win!

Accessories are the key to acing your happy hour look, especially when going straight from the office. Statement jewellery is all the rage this summer: shell-inspired designs, 80s oversized beads, show-stopping cuffs or bangles, and sophisticated hoop earrings are the trends to look out for.

When it comes to shoes, heels are perfect for higher-end venues, work drinks, and cocktail parties. Kitten heels, mules, and platforms are all super trendy options. Stick to flats for more casual occasions: ballet flats and Mary Janes are our favourite styles of the season.

Lastly, going for a classy clutch is always recommended for happy hour: bejewelled, oversized and slouchy, and envelope are the ones to look out for.

• Dress appropriately for the occasion/venue: When getting dressed, remember to consider a. Where you’re going. Is it a casual bar or an upscale lounge? And b. Who you’re going with.
• Aim for a balance of casual and polished: When planning your happy hour outfit you should aim for a balance of casual elements—like jeans or flat sandals—and more polished pieces—like heels—. Not every occasion will require a 50/50 split between informal and put-together, of course! How you style your pieces will do the trick.
• Accessorise: Accessorising correctly can help you achieve the casualness or polish required by the happy hour event you’re attending. Imagine your accessories as valves that can help you up one adjective or the other.
• Think about comfort: You might be on your feet mingling for a while, so remember to go for comfortable pieces—especially when it comes to heels.
• Remember to check the weather! There’s no worse feeling than not being dressed appropriately for the weather, so don’t forget to check the forecast.
• Wear something that you feel confident in: Confidence is key! If you feel good in your outfit, your beauty will shine through.