When you are going to mixed party where you listen to music and wear perfume, makeup  and nice dresses it is a major sin and there is a great fitnah as non mahram men are looking to you. Going to shopping and other places is different as you cover yourself properly and you are not sitting near man nor listening the music nor socializing with them.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRF1cG_7p-I
http://islamqa.info/en/60442

If engagement party should not be attended due to the concept of mixed gathering, then what about going to market places, shopping malls and other public places like hospitals, schools,etc… Infact all places which has mixed gatherings of both genders. Please answer as I am finding it hard to answer my relatives.