We’ve all had those moments. The 10-year high school reunion Facebook notification that you’ve been dreading. The unexpected run-in with an old boyfriend, while wearing sweats at the grocery store. The last-minute happy hour invitation from THOSE girls who always have the newest fashions, the cutest handbags and the tiniest waistlines. And right after those moments comes the inevitable: what should I wear? It’s not always easy to throw together a fabulous outfit at the last minute or even when you have months to plan, but follow a few rules and you’ll be able to run (or slowly saunter, whatever feels right) to your event in style, feel great about the way you look, AND prove that sometimes, the best revenge is looking good.

Fit:
Find the right fit for your body, and stop trying to wear what looks good on other people. They don’t have your body type. Enlist the help of the fashionistas that work at your favorite stores. They can find things that you never even thought about trying on, but will look great on you. Give up a little control to the experts and they will surprise you. I went straight for a black dress with a belted waist and my new friend at Max Studio steered me to the same dress but with a bold print and hints of green and light blue. It was a steal at $58 (compare the same dresses at Macy’s and Nordstrom for $30-50 more!) He also surprised me with two tunic shirts in bright emerald green and navy that I would never have picked off the rack, but looked amazing when I tried them on. And at $38, they will be my go-to weekend gear, even when I’m just running to the store for dog food and milk.

Color:
Don’t be afraid to go for a little color in your wardrobe, but don’t go so crazy that you can’t pair that new top or skirt with anything else in your wardrobe. I found a suede look-at-me handbag at Cole Haan (30% off!) that called to me like a giant magenta siren. It will look great next to my usual wardrobe of black and grey, which will make any last minute invitation easier to accept. I wandered into maurices and found a green and blue ombre dress with black polka dots, which will be perfect for day, and I can dress it up with a black jacket and heels at night. It was only $34 too! That awesome deal left plenty of cash in my new Cole Haan stunner to splurge on some nail polish and accessories.

Versatility:
If nothing in your wardrobe goes together, you’ll be constantly annoyed at your attempts to make a cohesive look come together. While you should spice up your look with trendy pieces, you definitely need a few things that never go out of style, and keep them in good condition. I grabbed a new pair of booties at Aerosoles for only $34 (that’s with a 15% discount that you can get in the Preferred Savings Guide, available at customer service) and they are perfect with slacks or tights and dresses. LOFT Outlet has tons of tights on clearance right now for under $4 a pair.

So instead of dreading the next party with a bunch of people you haven’t seen in years, plan ahead and embrace it! Revenge never tasted, or looked, so sweet.