dolled up

1. Also, all dolled up. Dressed or fixed up smartly and, often, ostentatiously, usually for a special occasion. For example, There's no need to get all dolled up—it's just a picnic, or They dolled up the classroom for parents' night. This expression alludes to a person or object being as attractive as a pretty doll. It is also put verbally, to doll up, as in I wanted to doll up my apartment before the guests arrived. [Colloquial; c. 1900] Also see gussied up.

Example Sentences

Some of the Bowl’s facilities have been dolled up a bit, but the amphitheater feels fragile after the January wildfires.

From Los Angeles Times

For everything getting dolled up and showing out takes, I constantly hear, instead, everyone say they had so much fun that night.

From Salon

But there is concern the optics of rich celebrities dolled up with smiles on a red carpet could come off as tone deaf.

From BBC

And then when she's all dolled up or she thinks that things are going good, you see these pinks and the lilac and the greens more when she's happy.

From Salon

Priscilla appears on our screens all dolled up in a ’50s-style poodle skirt and penny loafers, an ensemble that screams innocence, especially when it’s coupled with Spaeny’s awestruck gaze and soft demeanor.

From Salon