14 GNO Outfit Ideas That Aren’t LBDs

Anthropologie The Tilda Maxi Slip Skirt

We can always count on a satin skirt to be consistent year-round! Not only are they versatile, but they're flattering for all body types! But this version features a side split that has "girl dinner" etched into every seam. Or you can always wear it during your planned solo date outing!

Lane Bryant High-Rise Denim Pencil Skirt

You either hate to see denim skirts coming or you're madly in love with them. Between us, we're in the latter group after seeing Lane Bryant's take on them. The darker wash has an air of spring sophistication about it that makes it workwear-friendly, plus it'll take you to happy hour with your friends!

Pretty Little Thing Plus Tan Faux Suede Skirt

Got plans to attend an influencer event soon? You'll need a skirt that errs between professional and stylish. Since Pretty Little Thing's "controversial" rebrand, we've been seeing elevated styles that suggest they're catering to an audience that's redefining their idea of fun.

Our verdict for this suede mini number? Yes and yes!

ELOQUII x Kate Spade NY Stripe Trumpet Skirt

Picture this: You're enjoying a nice trip to a vineyard for wine tasting and have found the perfect field of tulips to frolic in. How cool would it be if you were wearing this gorgeous trumpet skirt and a cute pink cardigan? We say it'll be very cool.

And Now This Rhinestone-Embellished Skirt

Slip skirts are everything but boring. For example, look at this rhinestone cutie. It's saying, "I'm ready for a little blind-date action" without being overboard. The last thing you'll want to do this spring is wearing huge sequins on a first date unless your suitor's invited you to a themed party!

Von Laden Ribbon Trim Accent Skirt

Live a little this spring and lean into something that feels perfect for Easter. It's a great option to wear to your church's annual picnic because it's reminiscent of the beautiful colors found in nature.

Unique Vintage 1940s Plaid Boucle Trumpet Skirt

Do you need another trumpet skirt? No, but we bet you're eyeing this vintage-inspired one anyway. We don't know why, but plaid means a lot to our inner preppy girl and we're sure you feel the same.

Torrid Retro Swing Skirt

Ella Fitzgerald said it best: "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing." We doubt she was referring to this skirt, but the rules still apply for plus-size clothing.

This is a flattering and comfortable piece that'll keep you cool on days where the temperature's teetering between spring and summer, but we only have one piece of advice: avoid wearing on windy days!

Ashley Stewart Button Embellished Midi Skirt

Stop! According to us, you need this gorgeous embellished skirt that'll get you compliments wherever you go. It almost appears A-line, but the hem stops short of that so you won't feel restricted while walking around.

BloomChic Ditsy Floral Print Skirt

We can still hear Miranda Priestly's chilling voice in our ear, but what's spring fashion without florals? We don't want to know so we're sharing this cute piece with you. Plus, the elastic waist seems like the perfect addition if you're going to a 5-course dinner party.

City Chic Kyra Leopard Print Skirt

Leopard print still has its claws in us, but we're not ashamed. It's one of the easiest patterns to style because you wear a cute green, red, or pink top with it to make it spring-friendly. And once you add a nice pair shoes, you'll be ready for all the photo-ops on your upcoming trip!

Ashley Stewart Mermaid Denim Skirt

Did you know all denim skirts aren't created equal? It's something we should be knowledgeable about, but fashion keeps surprising us!

This mermaid-style design's thrown us for a loop in the best way because it's meant to accentuate your figure without making you feel like you have to squeeze into it. After all, there's no fun in that.

Moon Wood Pleated Maxi Skirt

You need a willowy skirt that's going to take you from walking around an outdoor festival to dancing non-stop when your favorite performers hit the main stage. Take it from us, you need something as cute and cozy as this pleated maxi skirt.

Universal Thread Eyelet Maxi Skirt

We think our hearts just skipped several beats because this eyelet skirt looks like a princesses dream come true! While that may be a slight exaggeration, the beauty of this piece isn't! It even comes with a matching top!

1. Flare Jeans + Sneakers

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Vintage Flare Jeans

This is one outfit combo I wholeheartedly believe should be worn separately: flare jeans + sneakers.

New Balance 530 Sneakers

Pairing flare jeans with sneakers (especially more technical or athletic styles) truly ruins the whole ‘fit. While flare jeans are definitely more retro, sneakers have a modern feel that easily clashes. Plus, you don’t want to add more bulkiness at your ankles and make your look, well, look sloppy.

We The Free Good Luck Mid-Rise Barrel Jeans

Instead, save your flare jeans to wear with heels or tall boots, and rock your fave walking sneaks with trendier jean styles like mom jeans or barrel jeans.

2. Socks + Sandals

Doublesoul Bekah High Socks

If you know, you know. Socks and sandals can be super cool, but only really when you’re kickin’ it at the campsite. Otherwise, it can make your outfit look conflicting, because while sandals are meant to be breathable, socks add an unnecessary layer of bulk that fully defeats their purpose.

3. Denim + Denim

Mother The Loop De Loop Denim Jacket

Hear me out: denim on denim can definitely be done in a very stylish way. I love rocking a Canadian tux every once in a while, but only when I know for sure that the washes of denim I’m wearing are matching!

BDG Shelly Boxy Denim Chore Jacket

If the shades of denim you’re wearing don’t match or complement each other, your ‘fit can really lack balance, and people won't be able to tell whether you’re wearing it confidently or ironically.

4. Turtlenecks + Shorts

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Fisherman Turtleneck Sweater

This “weird” outfit combo is weather confusion at its finest. While turtlenecks give off a cozy, cold-weather vibe, shorts scream summertime. This extreme contrast can make your look very bare-bones and generally odd.

Abercrombie & Fitch Sloane Tailored Shorts

If you really want to wear these pieces together, opt for a lightweight turtleneck top to wear with tailored shorts for warmer weather – the less-bulky layers will make more sense together. Plus, you’ll be more polished.

5. Tights + Jorts

A New Day Viney Floral Tights

This throwback look has not aged well – though we used to see a ton of people wearing tights or leggings underneath their jean shorts in the early 2010s, it just looks tacky nowadays.

We The Free Tippi Denim Shorts

The combo can often look outdated and overly layered, as if you couldn't commit to wearing just shorts or just tights. It’s just confusing – opt to wear one or the other!

6. Flip Flops + Cargo Pants

Shade & Shore Palmer Square Toe Flip Flops

It’s giving Justice and Limited Too vibes… but those stores are in our past for a reason! Flip flops and cargo pants also boast a sense of confusion because while flip flops are inherently laidback and beachy, cargo pants are bulky and often made to be more functional (something flip flops are totally not).

Abercrombie & Fitch Baggy Cargo Pull-On Pants

Since cargo pants take up more room on your silhouette, they can also highlight an obvious imbalance if you’re wearing low-profile flip flops.

1. Don't say "yes" if you're not truly ready.

In Runaway Bride, Julia Roberts plays Maggie Carpenter, a woman who leaves her fiancés at the altar multiple times, and her track record leads her to be called "the runaway bride" by a journalist.

Perhaps there are two lessons here. Of course, while fleeing your own wedding day is bound to leave your partner with a whole lot of (valid) upset feelings, it's okay to say "no" and get out of a situation that isn't serving you, even if it feels like it's not what you're supposed to do.

But at the same token, remember that you shouldn't feel pressured into saying "yes" in the first place when you aren't genuinely ready to tie the knot with someone.

Being ambushed by a romantic proposal or facing expectations of marriage following a long-term relationship can be frightening. Still, don't allow yourself to be backed into a corner. Learn from Maggie's mistakes and say "yes" on your terms.

2. Manipulation isn't the way to get what you want.

My Best Friend's Wedding follows childhood best friends Julianne, played by Julia Roberts, and Michael, portrayed by Dermot Mulroney. They made a pact to marry each other if they were still single at 28 years old, yet four days before Julianne's birthday, she learns Michael is marrying another woman.

So, she attempts to break up her best friend's wedding, but let's just say it doesn't end well. I'm sure that all viewers could sympathize with Julianne's feelings of jealousy and heartbreak. Even so, this movie shows that trying to force someone into a relationship they don't want is manipulative (and won't work).

The lesson here? Respect other people's choices and realize that not every single romantic feeling has to be reciprocated.

3. Fame won't solve your problems. 

In Notting Hill, Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, a famous actress who falls for the charming bookshop owner, William. Despite being a beloved film, it also serves as a master class in how fame can breed a whole host of relationship issues.

First off, Anna cheats on her boyfriend with William and cites the pressures of fame as an excuse. Instead of owning up to her actions, she seems to think that being a celebrity gives her a free pass to make poor decisions.

Then, Anna later takes it a step further by badmouthing William to strangers, again justifying her behavior as a consequence of her famous status. If that wasn't enough, when paparazzi harass her and follow her to William's house, she tries to pin the blame on him.

The takeaway here is that getting famous will not be a glamorous solution to all your problems. Rather, it often makes things worse. The spotlight can turn a person into a chaotic, out-of-touch mess who can't take responsibility for their actions.

Don't rely on grand gestures to fix your relationship. 

Finally, Valentine's Day is filled with romantic, grand gestures. From declarations of love to over-the-top surprises, the film portrays these moments as a way to fix whatever's wrong in a relationship. In reality, these gestures are surface-level and don't actually address deeper issues at play.

The real lesson is that true connection and lasting relationships are built on open communication, trust, and support. These things go much deeper than a bouquet of roses or an elaborate dinner.

Yes, grand gestures may be exciting, but they won't magically solve being on different pages with your partner.