Kristen O'Reilly

Fashion Dare: Evening Wear in the Light of Day

February 10, 2010

Images by Facehunter.com

Images by Facehunter.com

 

With holiday parties well behind you and wedding season a while away, don’t let your cocktail dresses fade into the dark corners of your closet. Re-invent them for casual use, giving your wardrobe a little boost to battle the mid-winter blues.

 

Images by The Sartorialist

Images by The Sartorialist

 

9 ways to downplay your finest dresses
Layer on a blazer or cardigan to cover bare arms
Add a comfortable t-shirt or long sleeve tee to raise a neckline
Cover your legs with opaque knit tights or high-rise socks
Experiment with wearing it over your favorite skinny pants
Mix it up with tough pieces like denim and leather jackets
Make it practical with a classic trench or anorak coat
Anchor the look with casual flats, motorcycle boots, oxfords or sneakers
Play around with your casual accessories, especially different belts
Keep your hair and make-up natural in favor of a no-fuss look

 

Images by Chictopia

Images by Chictopia

Images by The Sartorialist

Images by The Sartorialist

(l) Vera Wang Spring 09 (r) Y Kei Fall 07

(l) Vera Wang Spring 09 (r) Y Kei Fall 07

(r) Jin Bora and (l) Kim Kardashian

(l) Jin Bora and (r) Kim Kardashian

 

Show your favorite party frocks that there’s more to life than sipping cocktails, making pleasant chit-chat and dancing the night away, give them a glimpse of the real world and take them out in the harsh reality of daylight… I dare you!

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8 Responses to “Fashion Dare: Evening Wear in the Light of Day”

Trashtastika says:

I LOVE these looks, and a lot of dresses I have would see the light of day more if I dressed like this more often. You’ve got me thinking…

eyeliah says:

ohhh, great post! I am savign some of these looks for inspiration. I think this is the only way my evening wear will get out of the house!

Lilly Rose says:

Hi Kristen,

such a great post! I had to laugh, because yesterday I felt like it and took my clutch, which is completely covered with nude pearls out for lunch. Just because.
Love,

Lilly

Meghan says:

Love the collection of cute photos! I like the photos of spring-y dresses with trenches and boots and bare legs, that’s a look I’m not sure I could pull off so well!

I’ve recently started wearing dresses and skirts for the first time in a longgg time, so I’m really going the opposite way and wanting to wear fancy dresses all the time, even though I don’t have “occasions” that would make the outfit more appropriate. No sequins or satin yet, tho ;]

Great thoughts; us guys don’t face the problem quite as severely (our suits are typically well-accepted at work), but it’s always something to think about. Best to think of how we can wear a particular type of garment than why we can’t!

Emalee says:

Such a good point – layering is obviously key for cold, random mid-season weather, but I’m broke too and cannot go out anyway so my dresses are pining for some wear-time! Lovely pictures!

Jessica says:

I’d love to try this tomorrow! Good thing I work in a laid-back office and they’re used to my over-the-top ensembles!

Vivian says:

Hi! Just found your blog thru IFB and love this idea! I haven’t been brave enough to try it yet for work but I might give it a go this week. I’m following now! Hope you’ll visit and follow back!

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