Fashion Dare: Evening Wear in the Light of Day
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
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 The Sartorialist
(l) Vera Wang Spring 09 (r) Y Kei Fall 07
(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!
Tags: cocktail dress, day to night, dress, dress down your dresses, evening wear, fancy frock, fashion dare, holiday dress, layering, re-invent
February 10th, 2010 at 11:20 am
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…
February 10th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
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!
February 11th, 2010 at 4:35 am
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
February 19th, 2010 at 2:17 am
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 ;]
February 19th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
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!
February 21st, 2010 at 2:19 pm
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!
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 am
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!
February 23rd, 2010 at 4:08 am
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!