Party On!
Paillettes to the post office, tulle to my teeth cleaning; I spent a week in party clothes without attending a single party.
You’ve probably come across this quote, or some variation on it, in the form of a meme or a needlepoint pillow, or if you’re like me, you’ve even repeated these very words to yourself while debating a purchase motivated by the heart, not the head. We’ve given ourselves permission to buy the outfit without the occasion, but what happens to the outfits we buy for a specific occasion (weddings, galas, etc) once the party is over?
Whenever I complain that I have “nothing to wear,” all my husband has to do is mention my 3 closets, and storage unit full of clothes for this to seem impossible. Yet somehow the feeling is still very real. Something about the math isn’t mathing, as it appears there is no direct correlation between the amount of space my wardrobe occupies and the number of outfits I am able to put together.
When pondering the dreaded question: “Why do I have nothing to wear?” I came to one major conclusion, which was how much of my wardrobe was made up of formalwear and occasion pieces purchased for events. While I certainly don’t wait for a formal invitation to get dressed up and have been known to wear a cocktail dress or a gown to an intimate gathering or out to dinner simply because I felt like it, I have fallen short when it comes to integrating these pieces into my day-to-day life.
The most sustainable thing you can wear is the clothing you already own, so I decided to challenge myself to style these pieces in new ways that would give them new life for my real life. I spent the last 7 days exclusively wearing outfits in which a cocktail, black-tie, or formalwear piece was the anchor. From zooms and zooming uptown on the subway to dog walks, dentist appointments, and delivery drop-offs, here I share everything I wore and a few things I learned in 7 days, 7(ish) looks.
The Rules: Each of the outfits I wore during the last 7 days…
Had to incorporate at least one piece of formalwear from my closet (cocktail to black tie)
Had to be appropriate for my existing calendar commitments
Would not sacrifice fashion for function; (comfortable, weather appropriate, not look like a costume)
Could be adjusted with minor (if any) styling tweaks; no changing outfits throughout the day allowed
If you have a closet of clothes you’ve worn at or are saving for a special event; then it’s time to make your everyday life --- work, errands, casual dinners, and get-togethers -- the occasions to wear them. I hope you find these suggestions helpful and that, like me, you’ll feel your wardrobe choices multiply –without running out of closet space! To make my formalwear more versatile, I relied heavily on:
LAYERING: Either under or over (sweaters, blazers, collared shirts, knits, t-shirt underneath.) Having foundations like these in your closet makes layering really easy. For layering underneath: think of something thin or fitted enough to layer without adding bulk.
A fitted bodysuit or here is my go-to
Thin knit longsleeve and here (I find ribbed or cashmere work best)
For layering on top:
Oversized and cropped knits (depending on the proportions of your dress)
Fitted Cardigan (and this)
Casual jacket (suede, military, bomber, barn jackets work well)
ACCESSORIES: Accessories, including jewelry, tights, socks, belts and hats, helped transform each formalwear piece and set a more casual tone for each look. Thick tights, ribbed everyday socks, and minimalist vs sparkly jewelry helped offset the fanciness of the dresses.
Thick Tights (opaque or textured)
Minimalist/ metal/ matte (non-sparkly) jewelry
SHOES: Your choice of footwear can do a lot to balance an outfit. Opting for a more casual shoe immediately signals that you aren’t Cinderella racing home from a ball. I relied heavily on my loafers, leather boots, and even sneakers to dress things down.
Also, think about:
Mixing textures–offset a formal fabric with a more casual fabric (i.e., silks/satin/tulle with cotton, knits, etc) or offset shine/formalness of embellishment with something more textured (for example, an army shirt or utility jacket with sequins, a chunky knit with tulle.)
How you’re wearing it: when applicable, play with the way you're wearing the item, i.e., a tuck, wearing it backward, wearing a dress as a top or skirt.
Feel free to message me with any link requests or questions!