Never Overdressed

Ladies and Gentlemen - it’s officially cocktail and holiday season. Let the fun outfits begin!

One of the things that I hear a fair amount from my family (in the most complementary way possible, of course) is, “wow, you are dressed up today!” You can only imagine my reaction, which is usually shock at the idea that an outfit I wear on a typical day is what one would call ‘dressed up.’ In fact, when I hear that phrase, I tend to think about a fur shrug, glossy heels, and a stunning cocktail dress to a gala. But hey, everyone’s different!

One of the things I am most proud of when it comes to being comfortable with my personal style is the notion that, well, I am a bit fancy bordering on over the top for daywear. But, to my defense, in the wise words of Oscar Wilde, “you can never be overdressed or overeducated.” Throwing on something a bit more exciting than a hoodie or plain sweater with jeans just makes any day more fun. Even small, special touches to your outfit makes a regular day more of an event. They can make you feel better about sitting at your desk doing your work, amp up the feeling you get on your way to that local coffee shop for your morning perk, or make that grocery shopping trip somehow more tolerable because, hey, you look cute.

If dressing up makes us feel good about ourselves and the world in general, why not do it more?

We are coming up on holiday season and it’s the perfect time to think about how to use those Black Friday resources and gift requests to spruce up your wardrobe. Maybe you aren’t ready to dive into a full feathered skirt or sequined blazer and you need to think about more subtle ways to inherit the extraordinary. Given that the holiday season will look different this year, a more refined approach to dressing up your daytime look could make sense. Or, with all the sales on the horizon, you can skip thinking about this year’s festivities altogether and go straight to planning for next year. (The latter is my current thinking). Either way, let’s turn up the volume on our daytime looks and learn to like it on a regular basis.

Here are a few ways to add some punch to your daily routine:

Jewelry

I know I’ve said this a bunch of times in previous posts, but jewelry is THE game changer when it comes to any outfit. Layer on a bunch of necklaces of different length and styles, grab a wide cuff to pair with a short sleeve garment, or pair long earrings with a turtleneck to make a subtle statement. Jewelry will elevate any outfit by adding some depth and shine. To my detriment, I am obsessed with collecting jewelry that is both classic and out of the box. Jeans and a sweatshirt are much cooler if you throw on a designer bracelet or a chunky necklace. Wear that fitted plain turtle neck and high waisted jeans with a long vintage Monet chain necklace and a cocktail ring. Althleisure? Sure. As long as you add some gold hoops and a few dainty rings.

Shoes, Shoes, Shoes

Glitter. Animal print. Studs and spikes. Lace. Crystals. All of these features can make shoes the focal piece of an outfit. If you are wearing statement making shoes, be sure to balance them out with the rest of your look. Platforms paired with a short red leather skirt, tank, and tons of jewelry could start looking, well, wrong…Shoes are one of the items where a little extra really goes a long way. Which makes them the perfect way to gradually add more excitement to your daytime look.

Outerwear

As the only thing people may see you wearing come the colder months, outerwear is usually the statement maker of your entire outfit. It is also an invaluable investment in your wardrobe that lasts for years. If you find the right fit and style, it’s a match made in heaven season after season. While owning classic outerwear is an absolute must, don’t forget to have fun with jackets, capes, trenches, and vests that can make a real daytime statement. Think vivid colors, plaids, animal prints, color blocking, and even different textiles like leather, velvet, and fur.

Cold Weather Accessories

Cold weather accessories are a fun way to add spice to your overall outfit - think scarves, beanies, earmuffs, gloves, stoles, tights and even leg warmers in fun patters, textures, and styles (lace, animal print, fingerless, leather, etc.). A year ago, I found a furry Fendi logo headband and am still having remorse about not buying it. Do you know how cool that would have looked with my zillions of plain sweaters?! I also just purchased a mint colored beret from &OtherStories a few months ago that will add a beautiful pop of color to my camel or black wool coats during the winter months. Cold weather accessories can be the spark of your outfit without investing serious cash in items you may grow tired of or end up not wearing as much as you had hoped. In fact, that almost makes you want to wear them more, because they generally are not fragile or expensive.

Layering

This last category is not about specific objects you can wear, but an approach to how you dress. We all know layering is perfect for the cooler months when the moment you step inside anywhere, you want to rip off those outer layers. In fact, I actually love a good sleeveless dress paired with a scarf, leggings, and tall boots in the winter. Not only do I stay at a normal temperature in a variety of situations, but my entire look can easily go from day to drinks to dinner. I like to be prepared for anything, especially on the weekends. As much as I love their cozy feel, I find sweaters are not the best pieces to transition from day to night activities. And the D.C weather can often be too warm for a heavy knit. Instead, layering a scarf over a dress, a blazer over a silk tank, or a vest over a silk blouse can give you options without running home to change. Vests are actually my favorite layering piece because they offer comfort without sacrificing style and are much easier to tote around than a heavy wool coat. I also wear scarves all year long and love them for keeping me warm, whether I am outside in cool weather or inside with air conditioning. There is a reason why the French love their scarves - they are functional and fashionable.

If you find that adding these small tweaks to your daily outfits can help you celebrate the ordinary a little bit more, I say go for it! It’s the holiday season, after all.

Funny enough - The Outnet just released a “Dress Up Edit”!

Use this link to receive 20% off your first purchase! https://referme.to/stephanies-218

You can also scroll through a few items I pulled directly from the edit for more OOTD inspiration, below.