November Style Guide: One Wardrobe, Four Party Looks

The secret to dressing for every invitation isn’t a bigger wardrobe. It’s knowing how to give familiar pieces an entirely new point of view.

Photos by Michael Hrizuk
Styled by Bailey Gilliam

Great style doesn’t have to follow a formula. Pair something elegant with something unexpected, mix dressy fabrics with playful prints, or add bold jewelry and Western details. The contrast makes special-occasion dressing feel more personal and gives those once-in-a-while pieces many more reasons to leave the closet.

1. A playful twist on a formal dress

A sophisticated bronze dress from The Back Door gets an entirely different personality layered beneath a whimsical horse sweater from Brims on the Bluff. Turquoise jewelry and intricately detailed Western boots, also from Brims, add bold color and character. The result is equal parts elegant and unexpected, and much more fun than following the usual party-dressing rules.

2. Western boots meet fun florals

Turquoise boots and jewelry from Brims on the Bluff take on a fresh look when paired with a floral top from Spartina 449 and a black scalloped skirt from Brims. Florals, turquoise and Western details make the combination ideal for an occasion that calls for less formality and more individual style.

3. A bronze dress goes full glam

Without the playful layers, the bronze dress from The Back Door is ready for a completely different invitation. Its coordinating wrap and metallic heels create an elegant, monochromatic look fit for a wedding, gala or formal evening.

4. A black skirt gets cocktail-hour polish

The black scalloped skirt from Brims on the Bluff takes a dressier turn with a black top and richly textured blue jacket from Evelyn & Arthur. A dramatic statement necklace and black heels from The Back Door finish the look with just the right amount of cocktail-hour flair.