Dresses are a great style for special events, but did you know that they can easily be worn for more casual occasions as well? We delved into the style blogs on the internet and did the research for you so you can confidently take your favorite dress from the gala to a relaxed weekend exploring downtown.
There are several ways you can wear a dress to make it more appropriate for casual occasions, and many of them involve layering. Layering clothes also helps extend the wearability of summer dresses into the colder months. Here are a few ways to do this.
- Wearing casual clothing such as jackets, sweaters or facecloths over a dress
- Layer a t-shirt or turtleneck under a halter sun dress or party dress
- Add a pair of leggings to make a summer dress both casual and cold-weather appropriate
- You can also create a casual effect with different types of footwear, such as sneakers or oxfords, or with fun accessories, such as a colorful belt or backpack.
Of course, there are specific strategies that work better for certain types of clothing than others, so to help you out, we'll explain all of them in this post. So, let's get started!
How Do You Dress Down A Little Black Dress?
There's a reason many women have a little black dress in their closet - it's a versatile dress that's perfect for almost any formal occasion. They come in many different skirt and sleeve styles, but they are all simple black dresses with a skirt length just above the knee. While it is a staple for formal wear, you can get more wear out of the little black dress by learning how to turn it into casual wear, and we'll show you how to do it.
- Wear a graphic t-shirt over your skirt, knotted in the front to accentuate your waist. This creates the illusion that you're wearing a t-shirt with a black skirt.
- Add a casual jacket, such as one made of denim or leather. You can also tie the jacket around your waist.
- Likewise, you can wear a facecloth shirt or cardigan over the skirt or knot it at the waist.
- Wear casual shoes such as sneakers, Converse, gladiator sandals or combat boots. You can even wear boots with a little black dress in the summer.
- Accessorize with bright, fun colors. Try wearing shoes, jewelry and scarves, all in the same bold colors.
- Wear tights or leggings, boots and a cardigan with your little black dress in cooler weather.
How Do You Dress Down A Bodycon Dress?
Fitted dresses are made of stretchy fabrics, usually cotton jersey, that have a flattering feel. They are the perfect look for parties and going to the club, but there are ways to dress them up in a less sexy way that are perfect for casual wear.
- Add a long cardigan. Since this covers your back, it also makes the jumpsuit more appropriate for work or other times when you don't want a risqué look.
- Wear a dress with a flannel shirt. A flannel shirt makes anything look more casual, and you also have the option of tying it around your waist.
- Layer a tank top over a dress to get a new texture and silhouette. You can experiment with the style and length of the undershirt for different effects, but this will look great with any sleeve length dress.
- Wear a sweater over the dress in cold weather. The tightness of the skirt balances out the looseness of the sweater, creating the illusion of a sweater paired with a skirt.
- Another idea for cooler temperatures is to wear tights and boots over the skirt. The boots are enough to create a more casual style, but you can also add a cardigan or jacket to keep you warm.
How Do You Dress Down A Lace Dress?
To achieve a flattering femininity, lace dresses are the perfect choice. These dresses can be of any style, length or sleeve type, but all have one thing in common - lace. It may seem like a challenge to make such an elegant dress style look casual, but it can be done
- Accessorize your lace dress with rustic elements such as a fringed leather bag, cloth espadrille shoes, or chunky wooden jewelry. Not only will this tone down the dress, but it will also provide the perfect contrast.
- Think outside the box and add some fun casual headwear such as a fedora, newsboy hat or beanie.
- While a lace dress may seem ideal for spring and summer, you can extend its casual wear into the cooler months with a scarf, cardigan or jacket, tights and boots.
- Adding a denim shirt or jacket or a facecloth shirt in a contrasting color is a safe way to make any dress look more casual, but just as cute.
- Instead of reaching for a clutch and pearls, use relaxed accessories like a neon-colored backpack or bright-toned Converse to make your lace dress look a little more laid-back.
Pairing a lace dress is a perfect opportunity to have a lot of fun with contrasting textures and styles.
How Do You Dress Down A Bridesmaid's Dress?
Bridesmaids' dresses come in many different styles, but are usually long formal dresses made of chiffon and lace. Since they are notoriously very expensive garments that can only be worn once, it's nice to know that there are ways to make them wearable beyond the big day. It just takes a little imagination
If possible, have a tailor shorten your long bridesmaid dresses or make them into skirts and crop tops. Both are great options because the shorter length makes the dress look more casual, and splitting the dress into different sections can give you twice as many options.
Layer a t-shirt, button-down shirt or tank top over a dress and tie it in the front to create the look of a shirt and a long skirt. Just choose a shirt that is thick enough to create a smooth line over any lace or sequins.
If you have a short bridesmaid dress, you can use many of the style tips for dressing up a lace dress to make it look more casual. For example, you can add a casual jacket, blazer or facecloth shirt to create a whole new look.
