How To: Double Your Dresses without Spending a Dime
First off, what do you guys think of my new LOGO!!?! Catherine of Design and Curiosity did the sweetest write up of the making of my logo. Go check it out HERE! I’m totally obsessed with her work and if you are in the market for any type of design work- inquire with her!
She worked with me and created graphics that really represent what I want Modest Blondie to be about. Here are a few of the secondary logos she created for me… aren’t they fun?!
OK. Now to fashion-y stuffs.
Recently (with my crazed purging) I’ve been experimenting with ways to make my clothes go farther. Instead of mindlessly sifting through my closet and thinking I have nothing to wear, I’ve been trying to be intentional on making pieces of clothing I would not normally grab say for a 35 degree day and trying to mix them with more weather appropriate pieces. I’d say I’ve been successful and I’ve definitely gotten the creative juices flowing. I am enjoying the space I’ve created in my closet and loving that I can actually see everything and that my clothes have breathing room!
I’ve compiled a small list (with pictures) of ways to repurpose your spring and summer dresses for the colder months. There is plenty of room for creativity and applying these to wherever you live, so have fun with it and please share your thoughts and outfits! I love seeing fellow fashion lovers ideas!
I’d also like to mention that I am trying to keep these pretty age-neutral if you will. I realize that there is a pretty good spread of ages among my readers and I LOVE that there is. I hope that I haven’t zeroed in too much on one generation of dressing and that my ideas and inspiration can help women of all ages. Let me know if you have any questions or comments on that too! I’d really love feedback in the comments or you can shoot me an email!
Layer
Layer a collared shirt under a cotton dress and pair with flats, booties or riding boots. All of a sudden your simple cotton dress is church, work, and play appropriate!
Wearing:
Thrifted Merona brand Dress || Thrifted Banana Republic dress shirt || Bandolino Boots || Premier Jewelry Necklace
Tips for Layering:
-Choose a cotton dress that has a little breathing room since you are going to put a full shirt underneath.
-Keep the layering shirt neutral. If you want to brighten it up keep the shirt a solid color.
-Throw in a pop of color shoe and some matching jewelry!
Jacket + Boots
Putting a jacket over a sleeveless dress and pairing it with riding boots instamatically winterizes your look and allows you to get double use out of that cute summer dress! Here I’m wearing a half tee along with a jacket (It’s been FREEZING here!)
Wearing:
Thrifted Dress || Thrifted Express Blazer || Sleeveless Turtleneck Half Tee || Leather Boots via ThredUp
Wearing:
Cream Long Sleeve Turtleneck Half tee || Frye Veronica Back Zip Boots (My biggest splurge basically ever) || Jean Jacket from 6th grade (Not joking) || Dress from idk
Tips for ‘jacket-ing’ your summer dress:
-Choose a simple print, nothing too bright since it is not Summer.
-Jean Jackets basically ALWAYS work.
-Choose a jacket that hits at the smallest part of you, or buttons at the smallest part of your waist.
Max out your Maxi’s
Maxi dresses don’t just have to be for summer time. Throw a medium weight sweater over top and some stylish boots and you are ready for fall/winter!
Wearing:
Maxi Dress from Burlington Coat Factory || Thrifted Gap Sweater || Michael Antonio Clogs from DSW || Thrifted Belt
Wearing:
LOFT Outlet Maxi || Thrifted American Eagle Sweater || WalMart Scarf || Chinese Laundry Boots via ThredUP
Someone asked about my sweater when I posted a preview of this post yesterday… here is a link for some sweaters on ThredUP- you might have to dig a bit but I saw some similar ones. Also, this one at the J.Crew Factory store is a good mix between the two sweaters I layered.
Question for you: Does it help when I list the items I’m wearing or no? Let me know what you think!
Tips for layering maxi dresses:
-I realize the ‘oversized’ look won’t work for everyone. In this case, go for something like the first picture with a more form fitting top.
-Pair with a heeled shoe to add height and minimize bulk.
-Scarves complete any look 😉
I hope this inspires you on how to make your wardrobe work harder for you!
Keep on keeping on!
Such good ideas! I especially like outfits 1 & 3. As for listing items you’re wearing: I kinda like seeing where things are from, or if you scored an awesome thrift store find, but since I thrift almost all my clothes as well, I probably wouldn’t use the list to go buy the same item. 🙂
Hannah!
Thank you for the feedback! I’m glad you liked the ideas I threw out there, thanks for reading!!
-Taylor
I LOVE all these outfits! But especially the last one because you pulled off the bulky sweater without looking sloppy…every time I attempt it, I look so weird.
Christina
http://www.ourwoodhome.com
Aww thank you Christina! I have to say, this is the first time I didn’t feel sloppy wearing something like this. Normally I’ll plan an outfit out in my head and when I put it on I’m like what was I thinking??
THanks for reading!
-Taylor