How to wear one dress, 4 ways

As a fashion blogger, it's always neat to look back at your photos collectively and see the different ways you have styled the same piece of clothing. I definitely consider it to be one of my greatest achievements when I can figure out a way to wear something at least three different ways and across all seasons. Such a fun challenge!

While I do usually try to purchase items that I know I can remix several times, I honestly had no idea just how versatile this little floral dress would be when I bought it online in an Anthropologie sale about five years ago. I know I've styled more than just these four ways seen here, but these are the only ones caught on film.

Hopefully this will help you figure out a way to remix a similar dress in your own closet.

One Vedette piece: From day-to-night

I'm pretty excited to announce that I have been asked by Vedette Shapewear to be a part of their "I've got nothing to hide" campaign. They want every woman to feel beautiful in the skin she's in, and that's what this campaign is all about. I couldn't be more honored to be a part of a great movement like this.

In addition to the inspiring message we're sending out to women everywhere, I'm also psyched about the parts of the campaign they've asked me to complete. This first segment is a Day-to-Night look, and you girls know by now that I am all about some wardrobe efficiency. Whether it's maximizing your closet so that you wear the same pieces, but in different ways or if it's just having a hectic day and trying to do a wardrobe change with least amount of packing possible, I am a huge fan of getting the most out of a piece of clothing. So here I am taking the Marian from a casual daytime outfit to a fun and splashy evening outfit.

I chose this piece because of the beautiful lace detail. I knew it would be perfect no matter what time of day or where you were wearing it. I mean, what could make you feel more beautiful than rockin some black lace? And having one shoulder makes the piece a flexible wardrobe item as well. I think figuring out a way to rock an item of shapewear in your everyday wardrobe is something anyone could try. It helps you think outside the fashion box and pushes your creative limits.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown for the day look:

1. Marian shapewear, c/o Vedette

2. Shorts, H&M ($19.50)

3. Vintage chambray button down, thrifted ($4.99)

4. Oxfords, TJ Maxx ($12.99)

5. Hat, Rugged Wearhouse ($3.99) 

6. Sunglasses, Rugged Wearhouse ($3.99) 

7. Crossbody bag, thrifted ($3.00)

8. Belt, Charlotte Russe ($3.00)

Total: Under $75

And here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown for the night look: 

1. Marian shapewear, c/o Vedette

2. Pleated skirt, Forever 21 ($19.99)

3. Chinese Laundry silver sandals, discount shoe store ($15.99)

4. Vintage handbag, Zoe's ($19.99)

5. Bangles, gifted (thanks mom!)

6. Earrings ??

Total: Under $75

Photos: Laura Menconi

ps. Want to know one other thing I love about Vedette? They have an incredible blog full of content ranging from outfit ideas to what to do with your old worn out bras to answering all of your lingerie questions, including those about fitting. They also have my inspiration board on their blog and you can see it here.

One skirt, two ways

So you guys know by now that I love to "remix" my closet and make items work in different ways so that my
closet (and my wardrobe) looks bigger than it really is. So when Sugarlips asked me to choose three items from their inventory that I like and they would send me one of them, I might've had a hard time picking just three, but this fabulous skirt was definitely number one on my list! The reasons being because a) its super cool pattern b) the color combination c) the cut and the pockets and d) because I knew all of the above would make this skirt easy to rock in
the summer and the winter. Thus giving me endless ways to style it no matter what the season.

That all means that when this hot little number showed up in my mailbox and I tried it on, I knew there was no
way I could style it just one way for the photoshoot. So you guys get a little taste of how you can style one
very specific skirt in two very different ways. I love that even though the fabric of this skirt is sheer and breezy,
it isn't see through at all. It's so flowy and fun.

And just in case you were wondering what else I had my mind on at Sugarlips you can see the other top contenders here, here and here. And honestly I can't quit thinking about them, so expect to see me work at least one of these
pieces into another post later after I break down and buy one of them soon!

Ok, now let's get down to business.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown for look one (spring/summer):

1. Skirt, c/o Sugarlips
2. Polka dot top (gifted)
3. Socks, Charlotte Russe ($2.99)
4. Platform shoes, Charlotte Russe ($16.25)
5. Cuff bracelet (gifted)
6. Bangles (gifted)
7. Clutch, Target ($9.99)
8. Vintage sunglasses (gifted/passed down - thanks mom!)
9. Earrings, trade day ($.50)
10. Vintage cocktail ring (gifted)

And here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown for look two (fall/winter):

1. Skirt, c/o Sugarlips
2. Navy RL turtleneck, TJ Maxx ($12.99)
3. Vest, Forever21 ($7.99)
4. Guess boots, sale at Macy's ($54.53)
5. Bag, Africa ($15.00)
6. Wooden bangles, ATL market ($1.00 each)
7. Earrings, Africa (gifted - thanks Ashley!)
8. Vintage sunglasses (gifted/passed down - thanks mom!)

9. Thumb ring, Charlotte Russe ($2.99 - part of stackable set)

photos: Laura Menconi

Skirt to dress, Vol. 2

I know I've proclaimed my love about turning skirts into dresses before. It's one of my favorite ways to extend my wardrobe and it also makes me feel like I am being creative with my outfits. So when I first spied this skirt at a thrift sore several months ago, I immediately considered it as a possible fall or winter dress with a sweater layered on top of it. I just consider it an added bonus that I can also wear it as a skirt. So stay tuned on to what I pair it with as a skirt.

In the meantime, get creative looking in your own closet and see what skirts you can wear as both a skirt and a dress.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:
1. Dress/Skirt, thrifted ($2.99)
2. J. Crew Sweater, Rugged Warehouse ($8.99)
3. Boots, Cato ($24.99)
4. BCBGirls Bag, Zoe's ($30.00)
5. Knee socks, H&M ($14.00)
6. Men's belt, GAP ($34.99)
7. Leaf ring, Charm (gifted)
8. Flower headband, Urban Outfitters ($9.50)
9. Earrings, Charlotte Russe ($2.99/6 piece set)
10. Sunglasses, Venice Beach ($7.00)

 

 

photos: Laura Menconi

Tube top professional

Believe it or not, you can actually wear a tube top to work. Crazy, I know. But it's just one more trick I've learned that helps maximize my wardrobe. Whereas typically I would wear this tube top with jeans and heels for a somewhat casual night out, this time I paired it with a pleated skirt (tucked in) and lace top to make it work appropriate. It could also be a great piece that I extend into fall or winter with a thicker cardigan.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:
1. Tube top, Forever21 ($14.99)
2. Skirt, Forever21 ($19.99)
3. Lace top, Banana Republic ($59.99)
4. Shoes, Nine West ($19.99)
5. Handbag, BCBGirls ($30.00)
6. Heart necklace, ATL Market ($5.00)
7. Sunglasses, streets of Venice, CA ($
8. Bangles (gifted)
9. Gold cuff bracelet (gifted)
10. Stud earrings, ATL Market ($2.00)
11. Butterfly hairpiece, Forever21 ($2.99)

Oh and just a side note, it was 107 degrees outside the day we shot this on our lunch break. Talk about a hot sweaty mess I was going back to work!

photos: Laura Menconi

Back of the Closet: BCBG dress

This cute little BCBG jumper dress that I bought several years ago at either a TJ Maxx or Marshalls sadly tends to sit idly by in the summer season. Just patiently waiting for me to pull it out of the closet. I'm not sure why I have such a hard time styling it in the summer, but let me assure that I rock it on several occasions in the winter....it's perfect for layering with a turtleneck and patterned tights.

Anyhow, the other day I decided enough was enough. I'm gonna wear this dress and I'm going to "make it work" as Tim Gunn would say. So I opted to pair it with a simple pastel yellow button down and my burgundy thrifted shoes. I would say it turned out to be a cute outfit, nothing life changing, but nonetheless a new outfit to work into my summer wardrobe.

Here's the cheapskate outfit breakdown:
1. Dress, BCBG ($29.99)
2. Shirt, thrifted ($2.99)
3. Shoes, thrifted ($2.99)
4. Handbag, BCBGirls ($30.00)
5. Wooden bangles, ATL market ($1.00 each)
6. Earrings, ??
7. Sunglasses, Venice Beach ($7.00)

And oh btw, WWWD's post today was about how pastels are trending right now. Looks like I made a good choice after all! But maybe next time I'll find a way get more creative with this dress. Until then, if you have any ideas on how you think it could be styled better for summer, I am all ears! Leave me a comment below.

photos: Laura Menconi