Fashion people show us how they style ‘special occasion’ pieces for everyday wear
image via @_sarahmclean/INSTAGRAM
words by fashion journal
“The dress has lived many different lives and I know there’s plenty more to come.”
I have a bad habit of hoarding nice things for ‘special occasions’. Unlit Le Labo candles gather dust on my shelves. The ceramic bowls I bought back from Mexico have never been used for an aesthetic breakfast, not once. It’s like I don’t think my everyday life is worthy of such a spectacle.
There’s no point in owning nice things unless you enjoy them. I can’t remember who told me that, but they’re absolutely right. You can’t live your life with plastic covers on the couch.
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It’s the same with fashion. While I love the pieces I’ve bought for special occasions like weddings or work events, the cost-per-wear is practically non-existent. They’re taken out for their big moment and then benched until further notice.
I’ve realised I need to stop being so precious. It’s better to give your clothing a fun life than to let it waste away, shoved to the back of a wardrobe. But how exactly does one wear a gown to get coffee? For some inspiration, I asked seven of my favourite fashion hedonists to show me how they do it.
Brooklyn Ellis, studio administrator and fashion content creator
I have so many beautiful special occasion dresses in my wardrobe that are too stunning to wear just once. Over time, I’ve found simple ways to dress them down for everyday wear. My trick is pairing a T-shirt, either over or under a fancier dress. It’s a super easy way to make the outfit feel more casual. And instead of reaching for heels, I opt for something less feminine, like loafers or sneakers.
This black dress is one of my favourite wedding guest outfits but I love making it versatile for everyday wear. I’d style this look for a long lunch, dinner, or even a day at the office.
Isabella Wight, writer and editor
In addition to a newfound concern for my credit score and regular cervical screening tests, my late twenties have come with an influx of big birthdays, engagement parties, hen ‘dos and weddings. Instead of a new dress for every event, I’ve loved buying really special separates, like this vintage silk Dolce and Gabbana skirt I picked up from Swop in Collingwood.
I know my style well enough now to identify the silhouettes and cuts I’ll wear on repeat, and a midi-length skirt is absolutely one of them. I wore this to Valentine’s Day dinner with a one-shoulder black top, ankle-strap black heels and teeny-tiny handbag. I also wore this [pictured] to work this week with a simple black T-shirt and Mary Janes.
Nadia Eldridge, model
What makes a clothing item special? Is it where we wear it? The memories we tie to it? Or is it just how we feel in it? I think it’s all the above. Clothes can be deeply personal and styling can be a great method for expression. But sometimes, clothes can be left hanging in your wardrobe, reserved for a special occasion. Other times, it risks becoming an “if only I had an event to wear this to” item.
I used to feel that way about my favourite dress from Variety Hour. I love this dress and I felt beautiful in it, but I noticed how reluctant I was to wear it in fear of it getting damaged or because it felt it too ‘special’ to wear it doing mundane activities.
I wore it first to celebrate my grandmother in Thailand and then next to a friend’s wedding, so I have these beautiful memories tied to it. But I realised that any occasion where I felt beautiful was special enough. So I wear the dress, whether it’s to celebrate a friend, going to the farmer’s market or just wandering around at home.
Juanita Page, founder and designer of Joseph and James
This dress has been my go-to for weddings, special events and even my high school’s 10 year reunion. But these days, I love reworking it for everyday wear by styling it as a skirt with an oversized T-shirt tucked into a belt (a handy trick when there’s no waistband in sight). Paired with my current fave sneakers, it’s an easy, comfy look that still feels considered.
I’ve been leaning into colour more lately and mixing unexpected tones like this adds a playful energy that makes getting dressed each day a little more fun.
Lauren Brodie, fashion content creator
Who knew a boldly patterned, feather lined skirt would end up being one of the versatile pieces in my wardrobe? This colourful cutie from Carmen Says has seen me through work meetings (paired with a white shirt, it’s perfection), date nights and even Melbourne Fashion Festival.
Re-wearability is something that I actively look for in any new item that enters my wardrobe and there’s nothing cooler in my books than someone who truly understands their style and can translate their favourite pieces into different environments with ease.
Amberley Colby, freelance writer and stylist
These days, whenever I buy a piece of clothing, I’m always thinking of versatile ways to style it. I don’t just want something sitting in my wardrobe gathering dust. When I acquired this Maison Essentiele dress recently, I knew I’d stumbled upon a gem. Unlike many dresses, it looks equally good layered over a pair of jeans or pants as it does styled over a slip.
On this particular day, I wore it to work with a slouchy pair of jeans and a black cami but I’m looking forward to getting more creative with it.
Sarah McLean, brand marketing and social media specialist
I’d rather have one dress that I can wear hundreds of different ways than 100 dresses, I only wear once. This Acne Studios dress, which I bought for my birthday last year, embodies that philosophy perfectly. I absolutely love the dress but what excites me just as much is the creativity in how I style it. It’s quite recognisable, so I mix things up, layering it over jeans and pants or pairing it with a chunky knit and coat in winter.
I wear this dress to work quite regularly and love to pair it with ballet flats and a blazer with a long sheer sock. In the warmer months, I add colourful stockings or layer it over loose silk pants. It’s almost like the dress has lived many different lives and I know there’s plenty more to come!
For more ideas on making the most of your special occasion clothes, try this.
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