Dresses are great garments. Rather than having to think what you need to wear, you can just pick a dress and put it on and you’re done! But dresses have one disadvantage. For people like me, who get very bored with an outfit very quickly, dresses are more difficult to remix.
Or are they?
I have actually found quite a few ways to remix my dresses so they appear fresh and new and look like a different outfit.
Here are a few options on how you can remix a dress and create a different look:
1. Wear a (different) belt
Some dresses look completely different when you wear them with a belt. Or if they already have a belt that came with the dress, change to a different belt.
Recently I wanted to wear my red silk dress again for the Problogger cocktail party. However, this was not a very formal occasion and my dress can look a bit too chic. So I wanted to dress it down a bit. Since the dress needs a belt, using a different belt than the dress’ own was an obvious solution. The green dress below comes with a matching green belt but can easily worn with others as well.
2. Wear it over pants
Another way to remix your dress is to wear it over pants. I showed you examples before on how you can wear short dresses after 40 by wearing them over pants.
I love wearing dresses over pants and you can see how I did it with my green dress and also with my purple dress recently.
3. Wear it over another dress or skirt
This trick works well when you have 2 dresses of different lengths. I use this trick to wear some of my shorter dresses that I no longer like to wear by themselves. (see picture on top)
4. Dress it up with a scarf
This is not a trick I use very often, but it is another way to give your dress a different vibe.
5. Wear something over the dress
This can be a jumper, shirt or jacket. There are so many options here, so start experimenting with what is already in your closet. Dresses can be quite particular so will not look good with all jackets and tops. Bulky sweaters are a hot trend for winter and can give a surprising new look to some of your straighter dresses.
6. Change the shoes
Shoes will also change the look of your dress. Classic pumps will make it more chic and classic while short trendy booties will make it look more modern or edgy. Try some shoes that you would normally not pick with your dress and see how it looks!
7. Combine with a hat!
Hats add something special to an outfit. They can add more style, more sophistication or more fun. A great trick to use if you have worn your plain dress too many times and it calls for something extra.
8. Wear with some great statement jewellery
Great statement jewellery can also transform a dress. Perhaps try on your most classic dress and combine with a hip statement necklace. The contrast between the 2 styles can make for a really interesting new combination.
9. Combine with a different bag
A bag can also really change the look of your dress. Try seeing how it looks with a very structured bag and a very soft bag and try different colours.
Do you remix your dresses into different outfits and how do you do it?
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These are amazing outfits Sylvia and have given me lots of ideas as everyone has already said. Thanks for all your efforts, great style and panache! I love it all.
thanks Aileen. Great to know that it has been of help!
Great ideas and fabulous outfits! I often wear dresses as tunics, myself.
Yes, it’s just such a comfortable look, isn’t it?
Love the three outfits from wear over a dress- I bet you made some grand entrances in those lovely frocks and tops!
I remember getting a few strange stares when I wore that second outfit with the hat 🙂
Newest follower here! I found you through the Monday Link up! Cute blog, I love your style. Super cute outfit 🙂
-meandmr.com
Welcome Melanie and thanks for your kind words!
In each section of 4 photos I have a favourite. One that I really like.
I am terribly bad in combining dresses. No clue at all. Don’t often like it either, but I have been shown a couple of trics that did turn out very well. So it is my lack of imagination.
I want to show you a very versatile dress from a young designer in the Netherlands. One you do not easily get bored with. Here is the link:
http://www.freshfashiondesigners.com/jurken/elsewerk/waterval-jurk-blauw-roze-optie-4.html
Yes that is a fun dress. Pity they don’t show all the 6 ways of wearing it..
They are shown at the website of the designer herself. Here is the link:
http://www.freshfashiondesigners.com/elsewerk/winkel.html#artikelen
What a wonderfull combinations. You must have been busy at least for a week, to get dressed every time, take a photo, start all over again. But I am very grateful that you did. Now I can relax behind my computer and steal some of your ideas.
These photos were all taken from previous articles (2 were new) so it was just a matter of finding them all. Hope it will give you some great ideas. I look forward to seeing what you will ‘steal’
All I can say is wow, wow, wow. And that top with the graphic print is my favorite. Looks art deco and stunning.
Thanks. It’s a fun top for sure. It was a lucky find at an incredibly low price.
Great styling tips, Sylvia! Love reviewing your photos. I’m not very creative so this is a great reminder post! I’d love to try wearing pants under a dress or a long tunic…..
Have a great week!
Have fun experimenting Jeannie. I look forward to seeing what you can come up with.
Wonderful ideas here, thanks Sylvia! I often wear a blouse or sweater over a dress, so that the dress is a skirt. I will be stealing some of these other ideas too : > Thanks for sharing with Visible Monday.
Yes, good idea Patti. I don’t use shirts so often here in Singapore, but it’s certainly another great way to remix a dress!
This piece only reinforces your fantastic style sense and your ability to keep your clothes looking fresh and alive. Some of the transformations are amazing. I must profess a weakness for the top over your dress as shown in Patti’s linkup. Wow!!
Thanks Melanie. Yes that look is right up your alley.
Yes, mixing and remixing is totally ‘my thing’! The look with the black dress, worn with one shoulder and hat is my favourite!
Yes, that is a nice, simple chic look!
As someone who named her blog versatile style, I love this, what great ideas!
Thanks Tracey. Hope it will give you some new ideas as well!
This is great Sylvia, so many looks with just one little change. It is the little things in life that make all the difference, right? 🙂
Right!
So many wonderful options! Thank you! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thanks Marci