Rules to rule the night

Whether you’re dressing up for a star-studded event or a Friday night out, looking your best can require some negotiation — from choosing the right shoes to deciphering whether your outfit is “black tie”-appropriate. Allow Eva Chen, the former Lucky magazine editor who joined Instagram last year to forge tech’s union with the fashion world, to lend a helping hand. Millions of social media followers already rely on Chen for style inspiration. USA TODAY’s Maeve McDermott highlights some of Chen’s style tips.

“IN THEORY, YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO WEAR BLACK, BECAUSE IT DOESN’T POP ON THE (RED) CARPET. SO COLOR IS ALWAYS GOOD.”

While Chen did warn against black, her rule wasn’t hard-and-fast — especially since all fashion commandments are made to be broken.

“DON’T BE THE MOST DRESSED-UP AND DON’T BE THE LEAST DRESSED-UP.”

Whether it’s a black-tie event or an evening calling for cocktail attire, Chen recommends aiming right for the middle of the evening ’s dress code. Play it safe, and that way you won’t be rocking a floor-length gown at a casual dinner or a too-trendy getup at a more conservative event.

“FOR YOUR SHOES, WEAR SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL POWERFUL AND LIKE YOU FIT IN.”

For Chen, choosing the right shoes for an event is less about how they make you look and more about how they make you feel. Rather than flashy, painful statement heels, opt for comfort and confidence — as long as they’re still appropriate for the event.

“SUCK IT UP AND DON’T WEAR A COAT. THAT COAT CHECK IS ALWAYS THE WORST PART.”

No, you shouldn’t skip your coat in the dead of winter. But to avoid carrying your jacket around all evening or queueing with the masses at the coat check, leaving your outerwear at home might be something to consider.

“TEXTURE!” Sequins, pompoms, ruffles and studs — Chen gives her full permission to play around with textures on formal wear. There’s texture, and then there’s Ciara’s reptilian Philipp Plein gown, which shines bright on the Billboard Music Awards red...

Kesha pays tribute to Prince in a vintage embellished purple suit at the Billboard Music Awards. Her sparkling heels do the rest of the talking.

Never one to opt for a boring redcarpet choice, Kristen Stewart goes for feathered Chanel at her Personal Shopper premiere at Cannes.

KESHA AND CIARA BY GREGG DEGUIRE, WIREIMAGE; THERON BY MARK MARSLAND, WIREIMAGE; LOPEZ BY GILBERT CARRASQUILLO, FILMMAGIC; SARANDON BY PASCAL LE SEGRETAIN, GETTY IMAGES; STEWART BY ANTHONY HARVEY, FILMMAGIC Charlize Theron opts for a chic scalloped Givenchy frock for a daytime photocall at the Cannes Film Festival.

Unless you can rock a coat like Jennifer Lopez, you might forget about outerwear as long as you won’t freeze.

Susan Sarandon steps out in flats for the Cafe Society premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.