Styling White Dresses; Taking Fancy Dresses Down a Notch.

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The verdict is in and after Labor Day, apparently it is in bad taste to wear white.

I just do not agree.

Pushing our closets to the max with clothes we hold dear has to be accessible to us year round.

 Anyone else with me?

That is why I am here to tell you, in case you lived by these rules that the construct can be changed to fit your style needs.

The real issue here is functionality, wearability and finesse. 

In a word. 

Or two.

“Style Confidence.”

These are always words that are words in progress for me, but I want to share some styling tips on dressing down an otherwise very structured gown.

I want to open your imagination to the possibilities that the style that you originally bought a gown for, can be styled in new and innovative ways to give you more wear out of the one section of our closets that can be saved for special occasions, when in reality our life is the special occasion.

Let me take you on a style journey.

Below I will be listing some great and affordable white dresses so you too can dress up to dress down.

https://www.asos.com/us/never-fully-dressed/never-fully-dressed-embroidered-long-sleeve-fluted-hem-maxi-dress-in-white/prd/14717802?colourwayid=16638675&SearchQuery=white%20dress

https://www.asos.com/us/asos-design/asos-design-square-neck-broderie-prairie-maxi-dress-in-white/prd/13834358?colourwayid=16569978&SearchQuery=white%20dress

https://www.asos.com/us/paper-dolls/paper-dolls-lace-pencil-dress-with-ruffle-square-neck-in-white/prd/14416032?colourwayid=16614630&SearchQuery=white%20dress

https://www.target.com/p/women-39-s-puff-short-sleeve-dress-universal-thread-8482-white-xl/-/A-78453034?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Women%2BShopping_Brand&adgroup=SC_Women&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9033791&ds_rl=1241788&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjsmJjJbR6wIVDD2tBh0ctAeUEAQYBCABEgJjH_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www2.hm.com/en_us/productpage.0856310001.html

Dresses can be worked to be dressed up, or dressed down. 

People do it all the time.

Step 1: Pick your dress.

Step 2: Work from the bottom up.

What do I mean by work from the bottom up? Start with your shoes and work your way up.

Will you be wearing flats, boots, wedges, sandals, sneakers, booties or heels?

Dressing down a gown means when you decide on your footwear, literally all bets are off.

I paired mine with my Charles and Keith sneakers.

https://www.charleskeith.com/us/CK1-71700051_LILAC_36.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=product-listing-ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4ZCq0K617AIVMhh9Ch0MHgFLEAQYBSABEgIUJfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I also opted to pair mine with my cream faux suede moto jacket I purchased from Macy’s. The jacket is now unavailable, but I will link one below that’s similar.

https://www.express.com/clothing/women/vegan-leather-belted-moto-jacket/pro/08803901/color/Nude%20Sorbet/?rx_channel=search&channel=search&merchantId=99&programId=99&affiliateId=99&&mrkgcl=638&mrkgadid=3334455246&CID=SEM_Goo-PLA-F-Main-Retail-98-000-Outerwear-US-Product-NA&SearchID=Goo-PLA-F-Main-Retail-98-000-Outerwear-US-Product-NA&product_id=25533453&adpos=&creative=339124862638&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CjwKCAjww5r8BRB6EiwArcckC_1BDRaGQ1xY-lID79vE4GZQ74gHOB5CxhGk2X9kpNZQalkY9kiKaxoCzP0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Step 3: Legitimize the fact that because it is now Fall, layering pieces in is the way of the future for your dressed up duds to look dressed down.

Are you wearing a jacket? 

What kind of jacket?

Jean, leather, vest, cardigan?

Step 4: Find a statement piece of jewelry that looks casual but pulls the look together. 

Personally, I love a chunky ring, or simple stud earrings and the funkier the better.

Step 5: Realize that when dressing anything down you are allowed to add in bits of humor because it needs to feel fun, but functional and you need to feel comfortable in what you are wearing. 

If it feels off, chances are you will feel off.

If it feels light, fun and free you will feel more confident.

I hope this post inspires you to reach into your closet and get to playing dress up with things you already own, or exploring your own style further. 

Please feel free to leave images of how you like to dress down dressier items in your closet in the comments.

Talk to you soon.

-Nikita