Style Challenge!

Ok guys – with the addition of a little one, it’s become absolutely necessary to stretch my wardrobe a little farther. Not only is it my goal to make way fewer purchases this year – it’s sort of the only option I got! So in that spirit, today I wanted to show two totally different ways to wear the same dress: dressed down and dressed up!

The Challenge: find something in YOUR closet that you can try remixing in two completely different ways. Read on for a few more tips on how to pull that off!

 

Easy ways to create a casual look:

a) Throw a low-key jacket on. Think light-weight – denim or utility types of jackets work really well. Old Navy and Asos both have some great, affordable selections right now, and if you’re up for more of a splurge, there’s of course always trusty J.Crew. SO many cute ones there.

b) Oxfords, sandals, or flats. Shoes in these categories always seem to knock the formality down a notch.

c) Throw a hat on it! Baseball cap or otherwise, a cool hat is a great way to dress down an outfit. You can buy a similar version to the one I’m wearing here, and I’m obsessed with this one.

d) A laid back, cross-body bag. Not only is it trendy as death right now (cross-body bags = all the rage), but it can help create a more casual look that is still chic. Splurging on a solid cross-body that you can use all the time is probably justifiable, in which case ShopBop has a million killer ones. Otherwise, it’s Target or H&M all the way (loving this one).

 

Easy ways to dress it up:

a) Blazers! Blazers always do a good job of dressing up an outfit a bit without making it over the top. They add some structure and also give your body shape. I got the blazer I’m wearing here from Target.

b) Heels! Duhhhhhh.

c) A Statement Handbag. I had to have something in white this season. You can get this Michael Kors I’m carrying here.

d) Statement jewelry with some bling. You know my favorite place to find all that jazz. Also a big fan of INPINK, which is where all my arm candy is from in these pics.

Outfit Details:

Outfit #1:

Dress: Rachel Pally, c/o {buy here} | Denim Jacket: Old Navy, c/o {similar} | Oxfords: Restricted | Hat: J.Crew {similar} | Cross-body bag: H&M {similar} | Necklace: H&M | Watch: Wristology, c/o | Bangle: Old Navy, c/o | Hair extensions: UniWig, c/o {buy here}

Outfit #2:

Dress: Rachel Pally, c/o {buy here} | Blazer: Target {similar} | Heels: Zara {last season} | Necklace: Now Yours | Bracelets: INPINK, c/o {buy here} | Watch: JewelMint | Ring and earrings: Wren Jewelry, c/o {buy here & here} | Hair extensions: UniWig, c/o {buy here}

 

So what do you think guys? Willing to accept the challenge? What are ways that YOU dress your look up or down?

Have a Tuesday!
Thanks for reading!

xoxo