The (Versatile) Occasion Dress
Make the most of your wardrobe to avoid the age-old dilemma of having a full closet but nothing to wear
On the treadmill of always “needing” something new
Before having children, my social calendar drove my clothing purchases. Whether I was attending a friend’s birthday party celebration, a formal gathering, or a networking event, I would eagerly shop for an outfit specifically for that occasion. I’ve always enjoyed shopping, so the process of finding my outfit wasn’t a chore, and I usually felt satisfied with what I purchased and wore. However, I found myself trapped in a cycle of always “needing” something new. Despite having a closet full of nice items, what I owned didn’t feel versatile enough to be re-worn for the next event.
By the early 2010s, I had both a demanding career and two young children. My life was complex, a mix of joy and stress. During this period, I discovered that a clean and organized home could simplify life a bit, and my overflowing closet became a target of my cleanliness.
Partially inspired by the popularity of capsule wardrobes that were appearing all over my Instagram feed at the time, I began to shop with more intention, seeking out high-quality, versatile pieces that I could wear repeatedly. I found that quality basics could be worn often, either with other classic items or as the canvas for showcasing more unique statement pieces, so I prioritized buying them. That shift in purchasing felt fairly easy. However, when it came to purchasing novel items that added interest to my wardrobe or served a special purpose, I had to hem and haw a bit more, carefully considering each item’s potential for multiple wears, and weighing the cost against the value. If I didn’t take this much more discerning approach, I might again find myself with a closet full of novel items (and still nothing to wear!).
Justifying the purchase of a novel item
Occasion dresses are likely among the most novel items in your wardrobe, as they are typically worn less frequently than other items and usually in specific settings. Made from luxurious fabrics and often featuring intricate detailing, they are truly special. It would be nice to wear them more than once a year. Furthermore, exploring ways to style them for various seasons not only maximizes their value but also helps maintain an orderly closet.
To that end, I’m sharing four occasion dresses and showing how I would style them for a cool weather event and again for a warm weather event, demonstrating the versatility that I aim for in my styling. Each of the four dresses is tailored for a specific seasonal color palette: winter, spring, summer, and autumn. For a deeper understanding of seasonal color palettes and the benefits of aligning your clothing and accessories with your innate coloring, check out my recent article on this topic.
Summer coloring
This ethereal, beaded tulle strapless gown exudes femininity. For a formal winter event, it is elegant paired with a simple coat and heels (as shown above). Echo the crystal beading in the dress with silver-toned, rhinestone jewelry and carry a blush pink clutch.
Transitioning this dress for a summer date night is as easy as swapping the heels for flat sandals and the satin clutch for a dainty straw one (as shown below). Adding a denim vest makes the look decidedly more casual.
This dress complements women who look their best in cool, soft colors like sky blue, dusty pink, jade green, and mushroom brown, also known as summer season colors.
Autumn coloring
The drapey fit of this colorful, alluring dress enables it to be easily dressed up or down. Elevate it for an upscale winter event by pairing it with embellished velvet heels and a chic suede clutch (as shown above). Echo the dress’ pattern with beaded, feather-shaped earrings.
Then, transition this dress for a more casual setting by swapping the heels for printed espadrilles, the coat for a large silk scarf, and adding a casual straw tote (as shown below). To add visual interest, tie the scarf around the handle of your tote when you’re not wearing it.
This recommendation is ideal for women who look their best in rich, earthy, warm colors like cinnamon, moss green, sienna, and cocoa, also known as autumn season colors.
Winter coloring
This red and white, pleated dress commands attention with its dramatic deep V-neck and exposed back. For a cold weather event, pair it with a flamboyant white jacket adorned with luxurious, fluffy feathers (as shown above). This statement piece adds a touch of whimsy and elegance to your ensemble and some warmth.
Thanks to its fabrication, this dress can easily be packed and unpacked for evening events during a vacation. To transition it for warmer weather, add colorful accessories like beaded sandals and a pair of turquoise earrings (as shown below). A leather, laser-cut lace clutch keeps the ensemble light and airy. Throw a bright topper over your shoulders in the event that the venue is air conditioned, or the evening temperature dips.
These looks are ideal for women who look their best in vivid, high contrast, cool colors like fuchsia, sapphire, icy pastels and black, also known as winter season colors.
Spring coloring
Even this punchy, sequined dress can be worn for vastly different occasions, thanks to its unrestrictive shift shape, bold colors, and playful pattern. It looks fabulous paired with kitten heels, gold-tone floral stud earrings, and a cream faux fur jacket for dressy winter events (as shown above).
Dress it down by wearing it with chic flip flops, a straw tote, and gold door knocker earrings (as shown below). A bright blue denim jacket matches the dress’ intensity while adding a very casual vibe to the look.
These looks would be stunning on women who look their best in splashy, warm, and clear colors like cobalt blue, lemon, bright apple green, and coral, also known as spring season colors.
If you find yourself trapped in a cycle of always “needing” something new, consider shifting your approach to wardrobe acquisitions. Investing in versatile, high-quality pieces can provide you with a range of options for various events and seasons. I hope this article has demonstrated that even your most novel items can serve you well for multiple occasions.
If you need help making your clothing work harder for you, don't hesitate to reach out. I'd be more than happy to work with you to craft a wardrobe that aligns with your needs and preferences – or to pick out an item or two that will work as hard for you as the dresses in this article. Paid subscribers receive discounted pricing on these services.