We often reserve our best dress for those very special occasions, the ones that call for us to be our most glamorous. But since such occasions only ever happen occasionally we often find that our dresses end up hanging in the closest for the majority of its life just begging to be worn! The truth is, you can wear your special dress for multiple events and throughout morning to night if you style it the right way. The first step is to stop seeing your dress as a garment only to be worn for a special or formal event and to start to look at ways in which you can tone down the glam factor to make it more wearable and to achieve that perfect balance of casual chic and glamour puss to wear from office to lunch to happy hour drinks on a Friday night!
How to Wear a Dress Three Ways - Without Being An "Outfit Repeater"
The best foundation is a classic black formal dress. Black can go and be styled with absolutely anything, not to mention the majority of us own a classic Little Black Dress in our wardrobe! If you don't own one, invest in one immediately! A little black dress is timelessly chic and elegant and is easily transitional from formal to casual. This black backless dress by Dion Lee Line II is a perfect one to add to your style banks, with its figure-flattering silhouette and sexy backless detail for that added 'wow' factor.Now let's break down this simple LBD and offer tips on how to wear a dress in three ways to style for multiple occasions:
1. Casual Cool
Accessories are what will transform your dress from a high-glam night time look to a chic daytime wearable look that can take you from brunch with the girls to school pick-up in style! Try pairing your black dress with a tan or brown coloured floppy hat to add that nice understated colour contrast which will break up the 'heaviness' of the black and add a little intrigue. For the feet, a pair of ankle booties are a stylish way to add a casual touch to a formal outfit. For extra style, opt for a white fringed poncho like this one from MinkPink to add a fun 70s vibe, and finish with a thin tan belt cinched around the waist.
2. Formal Elegance
A black dress is a formal staple. Go classic and pull out all the stops by teaming with a sexy caged heel like this one from Steve Madden, a formal clutch and elegant drop-style earrings. Formal occasions are the best time to wear your dress on its own in order to let it shine. Go big with your hair and makeup, opting for a bold red lip and voluminous hair. Have a look at these Little Black Dress Hair & Makeup Tips to help you look your formal best in your LBD!
3. Winter Warm-Up
Dresses don't have to be reserved only for the summer months! With winter in full blast many of us would mistakenly think that the cooler months mean strictly pants and sweats! But if you get creative you can easily twist your favourite dress from formal to winter ready. For a transitional outfit idea, try throwing an over-sized cowl neck sweater in a bright hue over your dress and team with over the knee suede boots to keep your legs warm and looking stylish! Yes you can wear a dress in winter, all it takes is a couple of good winter staples and a keen eye for layering! Check out this great article by Cosmopolitan for helpful tips on how to wear your favourite summer dress over winter.
