Dresses for a wedding, as a guest. I’ve never had much use for it. I hate buying a beautiful piece of clothing for one occasion and then never wear it again. But I do enjoy looking for a way of how you could style a more chic dress in such a way that you will still be able to wear it after a wedding or reception or whatever sort of party.
I was allowed to choose two evening dresses by Ever Pretty and I’m going to show them to you today. These are wedding guest dresses and I’m not going to style them as if I were going to a wedding. Because I will be wearing a dress that I will wear afterwards with great pleasure and not a real formal dresses. But I’m going to style them in a more casual way.
Wedding guest dresses
When I was still working, our store was known for selling beautiful dresses. Our dresses were also featured in the TV series Julia’s Tango. On the day after the TV broadcast, those dresses were up to be sold in the stores and women were already waiting in front of the shops before they opened. It was crazy and fun!
We received many women who were looking for a wedding guest dress or bridesmaid dresses. We also sold blazers, bolero’s bags and accessories to complete the outfit. But I always enjoyed showing the women how you could wear the dress after the wedding. And it’s so simple! Switch the blazer for a cardigan or a cool jacket, the pumps for espdrilles or boots and you’re almost done!
How I styled the wedding guest dress in a casual way
First these dresses are a very good quality. They are true to size and fully lined. The fit is much better then I had expected. In fact, they could not fit any better. The blue one, which is a dirty blue, has a high-low hemline which I love. I like the combination of blue and brown a lot so I choose brwon leather boots with a heel. For a even more casual style you could wear flat heeled boots like these. A denim jacket always looks good on a dress!
I wear a scarf with it, I have been wearing a leopard print scarf with a denim jacket for as long as I can remember. And brown/blue accessories. If you wear this dress with a navy pump and navy satin bolero-like jacket, subtle silver jewelry, you are ready for a wedding.
I initially had a cardigan and biker boots in mind for the black dress, but I felt super frumpy in it. So a little more dressed up. Suede ankle boots, which already have a more casual look than leather. A biker jacket and a black and silver necklace that accentuates the silver thread in the dress. With this dress, add black pumps, or perhaps silver ones, a silver or black short jacket and it is chic enough for a wedding. You can also wear ballerinas with this dress in the summer. And here too, the denim jacket would not look out of place.
So you see, a dress that you buy because you are a guest at a wedding does not have to be worn only once!
My Fancy Friday Favourite of last week is: Jill of Doused in Pink
And now it’s time to start the Fancy Friday linkup party!
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Smart idea to think of ways to style a dressy dress for less dressy outfits. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to have beautiful clothes that you can only wear for a special occasion when there aren’t many of those types of affairs nowadays.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
Author
Indeed! I had a wedding last summer but that’s it! Thanks Rena!
I agree with you Nancy, it’s quite a waste to buy a beautiful dress and only wear it once. I love how you styled both dresses to become more adaptable to casual affairs as well. Enjoy your weekend. Anna
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Thank you very much Anna, have a great weekend!
What a fab post, Nancy! I’m guilty of buying a dress for a wedding and then never wearing it again! I shall have to take your advice!
Big hugs
Suzy xx
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It’s such a pity to not wear them again! Thanks Suzy!
I love how you style both dresses! The leather jacket with the black one is so cool and my type of style. I have a gala event at the beginning of March and I’m trying to work with what I have in my closet. Thanks so much for the link up!
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Author
That’s a very good idea Kathrine! Thanks.
I am with you, I hate buying a dress I’ll wear just once. The shop you worked in sounds like such a fabulous place and a great experience. I’d love to do something like that, so much fun helping women style clothes in multiple ways in real life!
xo,
Kellyann
Author
Indeed Kellyann! It was a fabulous time there!
I think a lot of us are guilty of buying special occasion dresses and then never wearing them again. Both of these dresses are gorgeous! I love how you styled them for everyday! I especially love the blue! Thank you so much for the feature! What a nice surprise to start my day!
Jill – Doused in Pink
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My pleasure Jill! And thank you very much!
I like to do this too! Love the styles.
Have a lovely weekend ahead.
Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
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Thank you very much Gemma!
I’ve done this before! I love how you styled both of them!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
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Thanks Jennifer!
What a great post idea: I have 2 dresses I bought for weddings (both because I was part of the wedding) and haven’t worn them since but I should. I might just see if I can dress down one for a Valentine’s date look.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
Author
Yes you should try that Mireille!
I love how you styled the dresses for casual wear. One of the things that bugs me about weddings is being stuck with a dress that only gets worn once. I absolutely love the black dress and the way you styled it!
Author
Indeed Gail! Thanks !
Love your creative examples of restyling fancy dresses in a more casual, wearable way. It gives those pieces many more opportunities to get out of the closet! It must have been really fun and fulfilling to work at the clothing shop and help style other women. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for the link up party!
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Thanks Di. Yes it was a lot of fun and it broke my heart when I had to stop working.
These are fabulous outfit ideas! I hate buying an outfit I’ll only wear once so I usually try to pick something I can get more use out of.
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Yes that is much better ! Thanks Joanne!
My friend at work and I were just talking about this because she has an upcoming wedding. The last wedding that I went to I wore a dress that I had in my closet. Anyway! I love both of these dresses and how you styled them in a more wearable, every-day way. Have a wonderful weekend! XO
Author
Thank you very much Caroline!
I don’t think I’ve ever bought a dress just to wear to a wedding (except for my kids’ weddings). I love the way you’ve changed these from being a dressed up version to a more casual version. I bet all those women who came to your store wanted to work just with you! Have a fabulous weekend, and thanks for the link up!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
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Haha, I don’t think so Marsha! I was pretty demanding!
I love the way you styled these dresses. Both are amazing. 🙂
♡ ☯ ☮ P&P style ☮ ☯ ♡
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Thank you very much.
Ooh Nancy, both dresses are so pretty! I absolutely love the blue one! The color is so pretty and blue and brown is such a gorgeous color combination. I also like to be able to wear fancy dresses in a more casual way so I really enjoyed the style tips you shared here, too. Happy weekend, my friend!
Shelbee
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Thank you very much Shelbee!
These dresses are FABULOUS! I especially like the color of the lavender one. It’s such a gorgeous shade! Hope oyu have a wonderful weekend!
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Thank you very much Rosemary.
You are so right Nancy. We need to make sure we can wear items several different ways before investing and adding to our wardrobes. I strongly believe in evaluating the cost-per-wear aspect of my purchases.
Author
I think that os such a fun way of keeping track of costs. But I never do that,haha. But buying something for one time is such a waist.
I particularly love that Rock Chic styling of the black dress!
I’d never buy a wedding guest dress to be honest, I’m sure to find something fabulous and suited for the purpose in my wardrobe! xxx
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I think so too Ann!
Lovely dresses, Nancy. I love how yo have styled them. Thanks so much for hosting the link up.
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Thank you very much Claire!
really loving the way you styled both dresses Nancy. And that blue-brown mix is a fashionable statement. And so is the edgy mix of leather jacket and black dress. Thank you for hosting by the way. Wishing you a wonderful new week. xo
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Thank you very much Sabina!
Many of us often purchase special occasion dresses only to find that we rarely wear them again. Both of these dresses are stunning!
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Thank you Melody!
I love how you’ve styled these dresses in a more casual way. The frill on the front of the black one is fabulous. It makes no sense to buy a dress just for one occasion, I’m sure we’ve all done it but it’s crazy!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Author
Indeed! And I guess they are not even quite to our taste then too.
I love that you’re showing these dresses styled casually, Nancy! I never buy a new dress for a wedding – I’d rather rewear something in my closet.
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That is much better Sheila! Thanks!