Dress season is officially here and I can’t think of anything I want to wear more this time of year. Although I’m a jeans and tee kind of girl at heart, dresses are just so chic and effortless in the summer. From day dresses to evening gowns, it’s not hard to find one for every occasion. When it comes to my wardrobe, I always opt for versatility – I like to envision myself wearing a piece in more than one way. So when I shop for dresses, I prefer versions that I can easily dress down during the day and up for the evening. There are a few things I look for in a dress to ensure it’s wearable enough for daytime and chic enough for evenings – silhouette, fabric and fit are what I focus on. If a dress fits well and isn’t too ornate, it can seamlessly transition from day to night. Here are my tricks to pulling it off.
1. Do A Quick Alteration
This is probably my favorite trick to transform a dress from day to night. For this maxi dress (above) I quickly altered the look of it by undoing a few buttons on the top and bottom to create a slit – which makes it feel a little more evening appropriate. I’ll often pull a dress off-the-shoulder, tie up the hemline in a knot or lose the straps to create a sexier look for night.
2. Opt For Summer Fabrics
Linen and lace are my go-to picks for summer. They’re feminine and romantic and can easily be dressed up or down. To transform a dress from day to night, the dress has to feel effortless. There’s nothing like breathable lace (especially anything eyelet) or lightweight linen for summer.
3. Swap Out Your Tote For A Mini Bag
Straw totes are the perfect summer bag, but when it comes to evening – a quick swap for a mini bag is sometimes all that’s needed to elevate your look. Or if you want to stick with a summery bag that also works for evening – this one is my favorite.
4. Trade Flats For Heels
I love pairing espadrilles with dresses in the summer – they still feel a little dressy, but are super comfortable. For evening though, I always swap them out for heels.
5. Add Statement Jewelry
Throwing on a statement necklace or earrings can easily transform your whole look.
6. Lose Your Jacket At Night
Adding layers during the day and losing them at night is a super quick way to transition a dress. For an office-appropriate look, I always throw on a blazer and on the weekends a denim jacket is the perfect casual layer.
7. When In Doubt, Go With A Maxi Dress
There’s a reason why maxi dresses are always the most popular summer style – they work for every occasion. A maxi dress during the day feels like the perfect day dress and at night it feels more like an evening gown. Swapping out your shoes from sneakers or flats during the day to heels or wedges at night is the quickest way to transition a maxi dress.
xo, Maria
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