With this post, I’m starting a new series I will be calling Up, Down, All-Around. In this series, I will share an article of clothing that I can and would style up for the office, style down for casual, and style all-around for a specific event like date night or a party. Style wise, I think that a floral is perfect for this type of approach to personal style and the dress I’m sharing in this post is a fabulous example.
My initial intent for this blog was to showcase how style and fashion fit into my life as a working “woman of a certain age”. My industry is not fashion and the office environment is not overly formal but there is an expectation of one presenting a professional appearance. Over the years, I have found that, in the right combination, many of the items in my wardrobe suitable for the office can also be worn as casual wear and vice versa. So instead of having two distinctly separately wardrobes (one for work and one for play), I’ve not only maximized the stretch of my clothing budget this way but I’ve also developed a personal style that fits me in any occasion.
I bought this floral Spring dress about a month ago with the plan to wear it to a temple service at the beginning of April. The Husband, our daughter, and I were traveling to New Jersey for the celebration of twin cousins becoming a bar and bat mitzvah which is a good reason to buy oneself a new dress. However, the weather was less than Spring like that day so I opted to wear an alternate outfit more suitable for the cooler, rainy day. No matter, it’s still a lovely dress and one that I will be wearing often. The color and subtle floral pattern allow this dress to be like a chameleon and adaptable for many occasions. More fitted than a sheath, there is an ‘off-to-the-side’ gathering of pleats at the waist and split in the skirt that gives an illusion that this is a wrap style dress.
For my office look, a cream colored lightweight cardigan protects me from the chill of the AC and my blue suede T-strap pumps add a pop of color and seriousness to the outfit. My purse has a silvery sheen to it and I wearing a dark metal, multi-layered chain necklace.
Dress – Loft (exact, on sale); Cardigan – Gap (similar); Pumps – Franco Sarto (similar); Purse – Nicole Miller (exact, on sale); Necklace – Simply Vera (exact, on sale)
In this casual look, I’ve swapped out the cardigan and pumps for a denim jacket that I’ve had for ages and stacked heel sandals that are so trendy this Spring. The faux croc purse is a recent find at a thrift store and seemed to have been hardly used. Although it’s hard to see them, I’m wearing the same necklaces that I shared in Boho Florals (Part 2). It seems that this dress calls for a more bold statement type necklace as the ones I’m wearing have gotten lost in the floral pattern.
Jacket – AMX (similar); Sandals – Crown Vintage (similar); Purse – Maxx (similar); Necklaces – Loft Outlet and AEO
For an all purpose ‘let’s head out and celebrate Spring’ look, I’m back to a cardigan (white this time) in case there’s a chill in the air, cork wedge sandals, and my white laser-cut pattern tote. The sandals and purse were also worn in the Boho outfit from two weeks ago. I’ve added some small pops of color with the beads in my gold tone multi-layer chain necklace.
Cardigan – Gap Outlet (similar); Sandals – Franco Sarto (similar); Purse – Simply Vera (similar); Necklace – Kohl’s (similar)
Now, onto the Powers The Flower link up for this week. My featured contributor from last week’s link-up is Dawn Lucy at Fashion Should Be Fun. I love her style and fashion philosophy and her fun, playful approach she takes with her photos. The floral pattern and color pallet of her top are so pretty.
So, what do you think of Up, down, and All-Around? Are there items in your wardrobe that do double or triple duty? How does your style transition from work to play to special?
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18 Comments
This is a great series. I just love that dress. Each outfit is lovely. Beautiful bags and shoes in this post, too. Pleasure linking up. Stop by and do the same.
BTW I too love remixing my closet and have done similar challenges.
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m on my way to your linkup now.
Great dress, and I like how you styled it for different occasions! I love all your shoes!
I also wear most of my clothes for work and play and just wear different jackets, shoes, etc. I would love seeing more posts like this!
Andrea
Andreaโs Wellness Notes
Your wish is my command. I have another series in mind where I will show items that can be worn year round (or at least 3 seasons). Thank you for commenting and the compliments.
Pingback: Spring Graduation 2 (A Casual Party) - Jodie's Touch of StyleJodie's Touch of Style
Such a great way to show the versatility of the dress!! Since most of us do have to wear items more than once!! It’s a great fitting dress—and I love those blue pumps!!
Thanks for hosting!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I was so glad the dress fit me because I knew it would be perfect for so many occasions. Thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Cute dress. I like how you have “repurposed” it. I would love to find some dresses for summer with some sleeves so I can ditch my cardies and jackets. lol Can’t have my arms hanging out.
I’m glad that you like the dress and how I have styled it. I, too, prefer sleeves because I know what you mean about not wanting your arms hanging out. I was going to say something to that effect in the post but figured I would focus on more flattering attributes (LOL). I have some very lightweight cardies that I can wear in hotter months. Thank you for commenting.
Always useful to have the kind of dress in your wardrobe that will work in different situations. Just subtle changes of bag and shoes and viola, a whole new look.
http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
It seems to me that it’s the shoe and purse that set the tone or purpose of an outfit. Thanks for commenting.
Great styling, and I do love the print! And the shoes, and of course, the hair xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thank you. My hair and I appreciate the compliments. ?
Oh, I love the different ways you styled this pretty dress! Such a great idea for a style series.
I’m glad you like the series and the dress. Thank you for commenting.
Thank you so much for subscribing to my blog!
http://www.nancysfashionstyle.com
My pleasure
Did you say flowers? ha! Just kidding! I do need a reminder in my email to keep up with the link ups. thank you! Love this blue feminie dress on you and the various ways you styled.I need to make more use out of my denim jacket, I am really into white lately and love the white sandals and bag, but alwys had a fondness for t-strap shoes, Love them!
Thanks for linking up with Turning heads tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com