How to Re-Work that Special Occasion Dress
When I work with clients for closet edits, there is always a small portion of dresses we look at that have only been worn once. Often they are those special occasion dresses for weddings, vacation, or a specific event. They’re really great but they only get worn for that one event. Does this happen to you too? If you’re nodding yes, know you’re not alone and there are reasons why this happens. Most of the time when you’re purchasing a dress like this, you’re on a deadline, (frantically) shopping close to the date of the event. Under the gun is no fun way to shop! Or you’re making the purchase with just the event in your mind, so you view the dress as only having a purpose specific to that event. And then, when you go back and look at the dress in your closet, you see only the event and not how to style that dress any other way. Do you feel seen? Understood now? I told you, you’re not alone! So many others are in the same boat as you! Let’s chat about what to do going forward…
Outfit Links || St. Roche Pearl Dress || Reformation Marina Block Heel Mule fits true to size
How to Proactively Rethink Those Future Dress Purchases
Let’s look at this from a proactive scenario perspective. You know you’ll probably either want to wear a dress or have to purchase one for an upcoming event, right? So knowing that, start looking at dress shopping like this:
Will I wear this dress more than once? If not, can I resell, consign, or rework it?
Can I dress it up or down to wear for work, weekend, or vacation, dinner out?
Do I have a few things in my closet already, that I might be able to pair with it?
Answering “Yes” to these questions will make that dress purchase so much more worth it! It’s a more proactive approach to purchasing.
How to Rework Special Event Dresses into Everyday Outfits
So let’s say you secure that dress, after saying yes to all those questions, but aren’t sure how to dress it up or down. Ah ha! That’s where I come in for some style ideas. I posted a Reel on Instagram but wanted to also link it here, showing you three ways to take that dress (wedding guest or otherwise) into three different environments, so you can wear it more than once.
the work outfit
add a blazer
add oxfords
add a tote
Links to Outfit Pieces
Halo Loafers Freda Salvador (code 15CONNI for 15% off, fit true to size) || Dress St Roche Pearl Dress || Bag Clare V Tote || Blazer AllSaints fits small, size up
2 | The dinner outfit
add mules (with a kitten heel) or fun dressy flats (mary janes)
add a moto jacket or a fun elevated denim jacket
Outfit Links
Juniper Mary Jane Ankle Flats & Juniper Mary Jane Flats Freda Salvador (15CONNI for 15% off your first pair) || Bag - Clare V Sac Bretelle || Dalby Leather Moto Jacket AllSaints
Outfit Links || Retrofete Denim Jacket Shopbop (size up, it fits small!) || Oiled Kitten Heel Mules in black from Jenni Kayne fit true to size || Sac Bretelle bag Clare V
3 | The Vacation Outfit
add a swimsuit
add shorts
add sandals
Have you re-worked a special occasion dress? I’d love to hear about it. Are you struggling to re-work those dresses? Let’s chat! Book an outfit pairing session and we can spend time re-working pieces you already own to create everyday outfits for your lifestyle.