That sounds like a slam, but I swear it isn’t: Showing up at an event that isn’t honoring you looking like someone’s Cutest Co-Worker is actually a very smart move. Everyone says, “oh, you look nice!” when you float past, and then you chat about something innocuous, and then you get to escape and pop over to the cash bar. No one is grabbing you to talk to you about your amazing directional vintage YSL bubble-wrap hotpants or whatever; alternately no one is talking about you behind your back about your backside falling out of your dress. It’s pleasant and that’s relaxing.