dress for

dress for (someone or something)

1. To wear certain clothes in order to make someone else happy. I'm sorry, Mom, but I'm 25 years old—I can't dress for you anymore!
2. To wear clothing that is appropriate for a specific occasion or outcome (as in the phrase "dress for success"). You're dressed for a trip to the mall, not a formal event. Please go change. I dressed for success in a suit and tie, but I don't think the recruiter was very impressed with me.
See also: dress
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

dress for someone

to clothe oneself to please someone. I don't dress for you! Don't tell me how I should look! Sally says she dresses for her friends, but she really dresses for herself.
See also: dress

dress for something

to clothe oneself suitably for some occasion or activity, or for success. Finally, I learned to dress for success. I can wear my tuxedo if you want me to dress for the formal dinner.
See also: dress
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be pressed for time
  • be pushed for time
  • be more than (something)
  • be more than glad, ready, etc.
  • (the) odds are against (something)
  • a run on (something)
  • a rush on (something)
  • be at a disadvantage
  • at a disadvantage
  • address comments or remarks to
References in classic literature
"My dear Percerin," said D'Artagnan, "you will make a dress for the baron.
Now rip that dress for Jenny to put in order, and I 'll toss you up a bonnet in less than no time," said Polly, determined to have things go smoothly, for she knew Fan's feelings had been a good deal tried lately, in many ways.
The mark never came out, and a stain was left on the dress for ever.
We were all waiting in the orchard for the Story Girl who had not begun to dress for church until Cecily and Felicity were ready.
Do you think she'd be offended if we offered to lend her a dress for Thursday?" asked another voice.
Dress for success and you will feel the drive, desire and confidence to succeed.
As well as insisting that the Fan Dress was copied by Leanne, Ms Madine claims Pauline "stole" design drawings from Nico, and used them to enable her daughter to create the dress for Chenise.
Out front is a black silk crepe bustier dress for the 'anti-bride.' It has about 700 hand-sewn ostrich plumes, and costs P1.6 million.
If you're planning to don a dress for the special night, read on for five places to score a gown without breaking the bank.
And, almost 30 years on, designer Lisa Cochrane, of Dragonfly Dress Design, was able to use the christening gown and leftover fabric from Marie's bridal outfit to make a stunning wedding dress for optometrist Catriona.
Browse over 400 New dresses in the 2013 prom dresses catalog to find the perfect dress for that special night.
If you need a unique prom dress or a special high fashion or formal dress for a pageant or your Quincenera, a short cocktail or party dress for graduation or a bat mitzvah or even affordable bridesmaid dresses for your wedding, we have them all in sizes and prices to fit your needs.
In addition to serving as DMD's 2012 spokeswoman, I'm excited to donate a dress for the first time this year too.
In celebration of the Royal nuptials on April 29, Barnardo's charity shop in Blyth is holding a special bridal event where wives-to-be can buy a wedding dress for under pounds 150.