Parties can become the best moments of your social life. However, preparing for these events can be stressful. You will want to be dressed in the right way and be in the mood to have fun. Whether you decide to go alone or accompanied by your friends, there are many ways to make sure you are ready.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Getting into the Right Mindset
Step 1. Prepare whatever you want to bring
If all guests need to bring something to eat, make sure you have a meal with you. If it is a birthday party or some other type of celebration, you will need to bring a gift. If you have been invited to dinner, you should bring a bottle of wine or other gift for the host. At more informal high school or college parties, it is common for guests to bring nothing, unless otherwise specified in the invitation.
- If you don't know what to bring, you can always ask. Out of politeness, the host may tell you that you don't have to bring anything. However, you should never show up empty-handed; even a simple handwritten card can make you look good.
- If you can't bring a gift or are afraid to overdo it, a bottle of wine or flowers for a centerpiece are great choices.
Step 2. Find the right energies
Try to get plenty of rest the night before the party. This way, you will be able to stay up late. Even if it was a daytime party, it's still important that you have the energy to be sociable and feel good.
- Some people drink coffee or other caffeinated sodas before going out to a party that takes place in the evening.
- Have a high protein meal before going out. Even if they offer food at the party, you shouldn't show up hungry.
Step 3. Listen to some music
Listening to your favorite tunes is the ideal way to increase the excitement ahead of a party. You will feel energized and ready to dance, or even just in a good mood.
- You can put on the music while getting dressed or en route to the party!
- Sing. You will feel confident and expressive, a great mood ahead of the party.
Step 4. Get ready to socialize
Think about the people who will be attending the party and how you will interact with them. This can be especially useful if you are shy or if you don't go out often. You can set small goals, like "I'll talk to two people I don't know", or "I'll introduce myself to my colleague who I have a crush on."
- If you are really very shy, you can practice in front of the mirror. Practice introducing yourself to someone by saying, "Hi, I'm _. How did you meet the landlord?".
- Think about conversation topics you can discuss with other guests. Do you follow current events? Have you worked on interesting projects? Do you know a funny story about the landlord?
Step 5. Decide when to arrive
Usually, guests arrive at a party slightly later than the starting time. If you are particularly shy, you can choose to show up when the party has started for a while, so that you don't have to talk to the few people already present.
For dinners, children's parties, or events for which a venue has been rented, try to show up on time. On such occasions, arriving late can be considered rude
Part 2 of 4: Deciding What to Wear
Step 1. Decide what to wear
You should choose your attire taking into consideration the type of party you will be attending. For example, you would not wear the same clothes for an aperitif in the city center or for a barbecue on May 1st. Choose clothes that are appropriate for the occasion but that make you feel comfortable and fit you well.
- Read the invitation for any dress code suggestions. On some invitations you can find written "Black tie optional" or "Science fiction themed night!".
- If the invitation does not contain dress code information, you can call the organizer or send them an email to find out how you should dress. You can ask questions such as "Is the party taking place indoors or outdoors?" If you are concerned about the weather.
- If you don't know what to wear, there are books and websites that can help you decide according to the occasion.
Step 2. Dress appropriately for a formal party or event
Even on these occasions, your outfit can't always be the same. An event can be semi-formal, business formal, white tie, black tie, optional black tie, or creative black tie. Find out what the style of the event is before choosing your outfit.
- Black tie indicates that women should wear a long evening dress and men a black tuxedo.
- White tie indicates that women should wear a long evening dress and men a black suit coat, with matching trousers with double satin side band.
- Business formal implies that men and women should wear a suit jacket and trousers.
- Creative black tie suggests that women can wear shorter dresses, for example, cocktail dresses. Men can wear funny or trendy accessories, such as colored headbands.
Step 3. Choose fun attire for a casual event
Informal events can be truly such, such as a barbecue with friends, or "informal at work" and require a completely different demeanor. Always dress appropriately for the event.
- For men, informal workwear can mean not wearing the suit jacket or wearing dark jeans instead of the suit trousers.
- For women, smart casual involves wearing elegant shoes with heels, with a blouse and pants or a nice skirt.
- For a truly casual party, wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and that you can't wait to show off to other guests.
Step 4. Think about what you should wear if you are a child
In some cases, children are invited to adult parties, such as weddings or holiday celebrations. Often there will be more children. Even if you are very young, you should dress appropriately for the occasion.
- For your friend's birthday party, you can wear the same clothes you wear to school or the park. Choose comfortable clothes and on which the thought of pouring ice cream or some of your drink does not worry you.
- For more formal parties, children should wear clothes that reflect the style of the event. Boys should wear suits and girls should wear elegant clothes.
- If your party involves a dip in the pool or other water games, bring a bathing suit!
Step 5. Consider how to dress according to the season and the weather
Some parties are organized outdoors. This applies to barbecues, weddings, garden parties and many other occasions. Make sure you always dress appropriately, also considering the climate.
- In the summer, wear light clothing. Don't risk sweating or becoming hot.
- If the event takes place in one of the colder months, put on a coat or sweater. Make sure they match well with the rest of your outfit so you can keep them on during the party if needed.
- For the Christmas holidays, be sure to dress cheerfully, bringing the colors traditionally associated with the holidays.
Step 6. Ask your friends for advice on what to wear
Whether or not they are attending the party, they will likely be able to tell you which attire is most appropriate. Talk to a friend or two you trust.
You can even post a photo of your outfit on social media to ask your friends for opinion
Part 3 of 4: Get dressed
Step 1. Take a shower and take care of hygiene in detail
We each follow a different routine before going out. Do whatever makes you confident and that makes you feel fresh. Start with a shower, then complete all the preparations you usually go through.
- Brush your teeth.
- Style your hair and make up.
- Shave your beard if you wish.
- Clean your nails or polish. Alternatively, get a manicure in the days leading up to the party.
- Holidays are ideal occasions to put on perfume. Smelling good can help you feel more confident.
Step 2. Put on your chosen clothes
Now that you are clean and feeling refreshed, you can put on the clothes you prepared earlier. Look in the mirror and check that everything is as expected. Make sure your clothing is comfortable enough so that you can wear it for the duration of the party.
- Make any necessary changes to your outfit. Don't risk not feeling comfortable or insecure at a party.
- Make sure your footwear and accessories (if you bring any) match well with the rest of your clothing. See the look as a whole. Shoes should be appropriate for the event. Don't wear sneakers at a fancy gala or high heels at a bowling alley.
- You can bring a jacket, scarf or umbrella with you, depending on the weather.
Step 3. Get everything you need
You should bring your cell phone, some money and your documents. Depending on the type of party you can decide to bring other things. Either way, make sure you have everything you might need.
- Carry enough money to go home, even if you have to take the most expensive taxi.
- If the venue is very large and there is a chance that you decide to dance or leave your bag somewhere, you should only bring the essentials. This way you won't have to keep an eye on your bulky bag and you won't risk losing your wallet if you go wild at the party.
Part 4 of 4: Getting organized with friends
Step 1. Talk to friends who will be attending the party
Going to a party with friends is always more fun. Find out if any of them will participate and ask what their projects are. They might propose that you take the trip together, eat together before the event, or make arrangements in some other way.
- If the party invitations have been sent over the internet, you may have the ability to control who has been invited and who will attend.
- Use tact when asking your friends if they'll be attending the party. Remember that they may not have been invited or may not even be aware of the event.
Step 2. Invite your friends if possible
Some parties are small and only open to guests. In other cases, however, the events are organized with the idea that the more people there, the more fun it will be. If a party is open to everyone, ask a friend or two if they want to join you.
- For more intimate parties, hosts often assume that guests bring their partner. Ask whoever is organizing the event if they should invite a girl to come with you.
- If you are not sure if you have the opportunity to invite other people to the party, ask about the host.
- Let your carers know what to expect. For example, if the party is themed or has a dress code, make sure they know how they should dress.
Step 3. Arrange for transportation
You need to know how to get to the party and how to get home. This is especially important if you are planning to drink alcohol; in that case you will have to choose a designated driver or organize yourself to take advantage of public transport, take a taxi or find another safe way home.
- Ask your friends what their plans are. Did one of them offer to be the designated driver? Does one of them live near the party and is it possible to reach his house on foot? In that case, you might ask if he's willing to host you and sleep on his sofa.
- If you plan to use public transport, check the timetables. If the party goes on, make sure you still have a chance to get on the last train or bus.
- Have a taxi service number handy, should you need it.
- Ask your friends if you will try to leave the party together or not. Make up your mind before the event, so if you lose sight of it, everyone will know what the plan is for getting home.
Advice
- If you're not in the mood to go to a party, don't feel pressured to go. Not all parties are fun and there's nothing wrong with turning down an invitation.
- If you have to go to a party, but you don't really feel like it, try to get ready with friends or find the right mood.
