We have come to that time of year again. It’s time for festive occasions, office parties, holiday gatherings, nights out, and more. Many of us have been invited to events where we either didn’t have the budget for a whole new outfit or just didn’t have the time to get to the stores to buy something new. I know this has happened to me many times, especially during the holidays. in today’s post, I am going to show you some day to evening looks that don’t require an outfit change. Want to get more with less, save your money for other things, or don’t want to go out shopping? Check out my tips below.
It’s all about your accessories
You’re probably not surprised to hear me tell you that it’s all about the importance of accessories when it comes to creating day to evening looks. This is by far the most efficient way to change up your outfits. Plus, even if you don’t have all the necessary accessories on hand to make your day looks more evening appropriate, it’s a heck of a lot easier (not to mention usually cheaper) to pick up some jewelry vs. buying a whole outfit. Rarely does buying jewelry come with dressing room meltdowns. Additionally, this strategy of using accessories to make an outfit look different is great for travel. How much easier would it be to pack less clothing and more accessories?
Below are four outfits where I am showing the daytime look and, with some changes in accessories, am making the outfits ready for nighttime.
Day to Evening Looks Without an Outfit Change
Outfit #1
If you are a professional woman, or have to go from desk to dinner, it’s super easy to just swap out your accessories to make a suit evening appropriate. In this outfit, I took a plum colored Reiss suit and swapped out the cobalt blue tank, printed scarf, brown daytime pumps, blue handbag and simple gold drop earrings for a blingier necklace from Bauble Bar, a burgundy clutch and fancier Badgley Mischka pumps in blue. While I did change the tank to a white one, you certainly don’t have to.
Outfit #2
I think it is important to have dresses in your closet that can go from day to evening. I have so many dresses that I dress up and down with simple accessory changes. Using this Elie Tahari dress, on the left it is ready for work with a black J. Crew blazer, grey Coach handbag, black boots from Via Spiga and red and black onyx earrings. On the right, with some accessory changes, the outfit can go to any cocktail event with a sheer wrap, bold clutch from Nina, dressier gray earrings, a pavé bracelet from Ann Taylor and grey suede pumps from Cole Haan.
Outfit #3
Leather is one of those materials that can be worn in the day and the evening, depending on how it is styled. If done right, it can go to work, like how I used this French Connection skirt with a white button down shirt, leopard pumps from Charles David, a gold bib necklace, stud earrings and black handbag.
I guess you can say I cheated a little with this look on the right because I did technically change out the white cotton shirt for this dressier top from Alice + Olivia. However, with the right accessories, you can keep the white shirt and still have the outfit look more formal. By adding a dressier necklace, black Ann Taylor clutch, these dressier shoes and a bracelet from Banana Republic, even if I kept the shirt, the outfit would still look formal enough for nighttime.
Outfit #4
In this last outfit, I am taking a classic pair of black wide-leg pants and a cream colored top from Topshop and switching the look from day to evening. On the left, the outfit can go to work with a gold pendant necklace from LOFT, a colorful gold bangle, a green and black work bag from Ivanka Trump and Nine West booties. On the right, by simply adding some dressier accessories, like this pendant from Bauble Bar, emerald clutch and printed shoes from Ted Baker, the outfit is set for the evening.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with a ton of things on your holiday list, don’t add “shop for something to wear to the event I was invited to” to the list. By taking some good daytime pieces and a few blingy accessories, you may just realize that your “night out” outfit is already in your closet.
