How to Style an Outfit for Daytime Into the Evening
We’re all about simplicity with our wardrobes and will always choose a hardworking, versatile garment where possible. Why would you have an outfit for the daytime and a separate one for the evening when you can have one that does both with a couple of smart tweaks?
By using this clothing philosophy you can save space in your wardrobe and minimise the time it takes to get ready by choosing flattering clothing that can be dressed down for the office and then accessorised for a night out or dinner date.
If dressing in this way sounds appealing to you, you’ll be pleased to know that you can achieve it relatively simply by making a few smart choices. For starters, you can develop your own capsule wardrobe with key pieces that can be worn for a range of different settings and situations, and make sure you prioritise quality over quantity when it comes to shopping for clothes.
Create your perfect capsule wardrobe
There are a few things you can do to create the basis of your capsule wardrobe. Though there are no right or wrong garments you can include, you should try to follow a few simple rules to help you make a strong foundation. First things first, you need a decent pair of trousers. Jeans or fitted trousers are fine, as long as you choose something that is flattering, high quality, and comfortable.
Try to choose colours that are versatile and go with other garments without clashing such as black, grey, dark denim, and neutrals. The reason you will want to choose more plain colours is because you want your trousers to match with as many different tops, jackets and shoes as possible. Ideally you will choose a pair of jeans, a pair of more formal trousers, and something lightweight for the warmer weather such as designer dresses or skirts.
In terms of tops for your capsule wardrobe, plain designs tend to be better, and again the focus should be on choosing quality garments that will last you a long time. Your collection of tops should include a quality white blouse or two, some t-shirts in versatile, neutral colours, a couple of flattering cardigans, jumpers or jackets, and some camisoles that can be worn under a jacket or jumper without making you too warm. There are other optional things you might like to include in your capsule wardrobe such as turtlenecks, wrap tops and long sleeved tops.
Accessorising your outfits
Your capsule wardrobe might feel a little plain and boring at first, so you will want to choose some accessories that add personality and flair to your everyday looks. You can style your outfits for the office by choosing a smart, black, leather satchel or tote bag to carry your office essentials and some comfortable plain heels or flats for an office-appropriate daytime look. Unless your office is a more relaxed environment, choose muted jewellery and keep your jewellery to a minimum. For a regular day at the office, a silver or gold pendant and necklace set is more than enough jewellery.
To bring more personality and style to your evening looks, choose a clutch bag and a pair of heels in an eye-catching but complementary colour, and feel free to incorporate more jewellery into your look. Something sparky is always a winner for the evening, though a more modern, minimalist look might be more your style. If you don’t like jewellery but want to choose some fun accessories to add personality to your look then you still have plenty of options available to you.
For example, instead of jewellery you could choose some nice silk scarves that enhance your look. Depending on the width and length you choose, you can wear scarves around your neck in many different ways and can even use them as stylish hair accessories. Belts are another type of accessory that can add lots of personality to your outfits. A waist belt is a flattering choice that can be worn over a blouse or dress to accentuate your curves, and a more practical belt that can be worn in your trouser or skirt belt loops can also be a fashionable statement.