"Can you tell me how to make 'dressy' dresses appropriate for everyday and work wear?" reader emmie7 writes. "I have a ton that are satin/silky or chiffon that I have purchased for weddings and holidays and never wear them, I would soooo appreciate some guidelines!"
I'm so glad you asked, emmie7! First things first: I've gotta get harsh and lay down some ground rules. Anything that's a.) longer than knee-length, b.) covered in sequins, or c.) strapless or halterneck probably isn't appropriate for the office. Certain dresses are meant strictly for evening, and you should ask yourself "If I were a star, would this be appropriate to wear to the Golden Globes?" If the answer is yes, it shouldn't come out to play until after dark. Otherwise, I think dressing down your fancy frocks is a brilliant way to get more bang for your buck, and I've got a few ideas to get you started.
If you want to take those little chiffon numbers and make them appropriate for a Friday night out with the girls or a laidback dinner date, you'd do well to take a cue from Lauren Conrad, above. Her tiered silk dress could easily have entered fancy territory with a pair of patent leather stilettos and a bling-y necklace, but instead she took it in the opposite direction thanks to a few masculine touches. The leather belt and shoes are preppy and boy-ish, which contrasts nicely with the frilly dress. You can even wear a pair of simple, flat leather sandals to make it really casual. I like this combo best with a bright, jewel tone dress, because the color combo is so unexpected. Top it off with a few wooden bangles and a straw clutch--natural materials really help tone down the fancy factor, especially in summer.
If you want to wear your frilly dresses to the office, you've got to balance them out with very tailored pieces. Start by topping it off with the perfect fitted blazer (get my tips for what to look for in one here!), add a skinny belt (over both the dress and the blazer), a conservative pair of round-toe pumps, and very minimal jewelry. I'd also advise staying away from the bright magenta satins or gold lame minis for the office--you mentioned the dresses are "satiny/silky or chiffon," so since the material is already kind of evening-ish, you want to keep your color palette neutral. LBDs lend themselves very well to this type of thing, as do dresses in navy, ivory, gray, and pale pink. Here are a few of the essentials you'll need to take your evening dresses to the office:
And finally, I've got a great "everyday" idea that requires a bit more courage, but is guaranteed to look chic when done right. Again, this isn't a look for the office, but it'll definitely get attention on a Saturday evening out. Throw a white T-shirt, a classic oxford button-down, or a black turtleneck under some of your more risque dresses (check out how Shipley & Halmos did it on the runway here!). It instantly dresses things down and creates that contrast that's so important when you want to send a message that your ritzy clothes can go casual, too. Here are a few to try:
I hope that helps, emmie7! Do you girls wear any of your fancy dresses during the day or to the office? What are your style tips and tricks for making it work? Share!
And as always...if you've got a pressing style question that needs answering, I'm here for you! Leave your query here or upload it to the STF contact form and I'll have you looking chic in no time.
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