Turn Your Dress Into A Top

The holiday outfit formula that looks cool, uses your whole closet, works for every body type and keeps you warm toboot!

Welcome to holiday season at 5 Things. We will do a couple gift guides this year and holiday dressing ideas that mostly focus on styling. Because you really only need a couple holiday themed pieces in your arsenal. And the rest is about mixing and matching and making festive what’s already in the closet. This week’s holiday dressing idea is brought to you by a late night digital sourcing spiral and a little bit of what is in the air.

It all started with the Phoebe Philo launch a few weeks back. I actually didn’t even think it was going to happen so never signed up and rolled my eyes at the eagerness. Let me just say, I’m SO glad I was wrong. I was nervous it would be some whole new concept (change is hard) that I wouldn’t be able to relate to. But I should have known. It was classic Phoebe and made me so excited about all of the shapes and styles of #oldceline that have been hibernating in the back of my closet (thank god I didn’t sell it all!)

For those who are saying, “HUH!?” A couple weeks ago, designer Phoebe Philo (previously of Celine who gave us the trio bag, contrast stitch pants, extra long sleeves and heavy grey cashmere turtlenecks that have all been copied ad infinitum) launched her eponymous line. It felt like a visit from an old and familiar friend and made me so excited to revisit old collections, shapes and ideas. True story, I stayed up until 2am the night after the launch sleuthing resale sites to recreate two looks from the Celine Spring 2015 collection (I succeeded dear reader). Which brings me to my point and the actual start of today’s newsletter.

Celine Spring 2015 Collection

The layering shape I am craving right now is shift dress + pants + little bit of a heel. You’ll see many iterations of this below, but something about the idea of this pairing lends itself perfectly to the holiday season: a time of confusing but dressy dress codes and cold weather (where I live at least).

It is an idea that looks harder to do than it actually is, giving it immediate style cred. And it creates points of interest without falling back on traditional holiday tropes like sparkle or red/green accents. Not that I have anything against those things, but it is fun to challenge ourselves to think bigger, for this week at least.

It will keep you warm! Warmer than a mini dress without pants at least, especially if you want to wear strappy sandals after sunset when you can see your breath. And maybe most importantly, it is forgiving. This is a concept that can be body hugging or hiding depending on your mood or preferences. You can wear it whatever your height as long as you get the proportions right (I am 5’5” and like to keep the hem about three inches above my knee for the most part.) And it works with both heels and flats.

1. The Basic Formula

Take any short-ish dress and put it over a slim wool or silk pant. Pair with a heel of choice (a little lift will help tie all this together though flats are ok too) and a fun little party bag and head out the door. Now there is nothing particularly holiday about this (don’t worry we will get there in two weeks.) But adding the pants gives it just a little hint of winter. Add a fringe bag says festive. Voila! Happy new year!

A vintage “Hawaiian” dress by Miu Miu found secondhand, but this and this are great. Maria McManus cropped pants. Prada d’Orsay heels (try these) and an old fringy bag that literally doesn’t even fit my phone, but is darn cute if my husband agrees to put my phone in his pocket for the night. Extremely cute little fringe bag alt here.

Said Celine Spring 2015 tunic that I spent many hours sourcing. Back from the dry cleaner and to be slotted into eternal rotation. Here’s another pretty seasonless floral option for quite a steal. Attersee silk cocktail pants (here is a similar pair for slightly less). Miu Miu slingbacks. I also love the Gianvito Rossi version which I have on good account are extremely comfortable.

With the Coperni sparkly lace mini I bought for wedding season earlier this year (also a great resource for styling tips!) and a metallic heel. This would also be great with a black sheer stocking to make it a little warmer/more wintery.

Five fantastic minis that make my point. From left: Oseree mini with square pailletes, super fun! LaDoubleJ full coverage mini. Pucci mini which is giving me the Miu Miu vibes of our first pic but an even better shape to try this out with…and it’s actually a bit on the longer side, which is a nice point of differentiation. Emilia Wickstead gold shift (gimme!!!). Self Portrait tweedy mini. 

2. Make it a middle layer (aka how to add a jacket)

Counterintuitively, it’s a good look for your top (aka dress) to stick out of the bottom of your jacket. Almost like a vertical morse code of layers, or a Rothko! Three different jacket lengths below to showcase my point.

Here is the same look as above with a tuxedo jacket over it. I love how the hem peeks out - yet another, fun and easy way to create a difficult-looking-but-easy-to-execute-layered-look. The tux jacket is Max Mara but we like the Me+Em version if you don’t already have one. The itty bitty bag is Dior (but how cute is this Jil Sander bag on sale. And this Coach bitty bag in a great red). The earrings are Sophie Buhai, giving the whole look a little artsiness. 

Brown and black and navy!!!!!! The ultimate color combo? So many things to discuss in this look. First, these are things that were purchased as “daytime clothes”. But put them together, throw on a strappy metallic sandal and funky fun clutch and all of a sudden it’s cocktail wear. Also, notice that I’m wearing a jacket that hits above my hip. It’s a nice proportion to not look swimming in clothes. And finally, I’m wearing a lace dress here without the lining. This is a great way to play with sheer or see through layers with zero fuss. CDG jacket. Old Prada lace dress, pants and sandals (Similar dress, pants and shoes here).

Now we are mostly talking about mini dresses here, but one exception to the rule is a plisse over baggy pant moment, if you’re really looking for a challenge! I will admit, this look was trickier to experiment with, but creates a really cool, beautiful line. I’d stick to black on black when attempting this unless you feel ready for the chairlift that takes you to that part of the mountain. And try a longer line blazer so there isn’t SO much dress sticking out that the proportions feel off. But otherwise go for it. And add your most fun shoe! Vintage Sonia Rykiel jacket (here’s a great (and comfy) option). Madewell plisse dress (and another from Anine Bing). Another Tomorrow stretch jersey trousers which I’ve been wearing non-stop. Gucci sandals. But there are SO MANY fun sandals I want right now!

3. Party Pants

Just swap the statement element: LBD + a printed or bright colored pant

A black long sleeve mini dress from Thom Browne (here is practically the exact same one, zipper up the back and all for $250!) over my “date night pants” with little Dior patent leather pumps (these are a dead ringer and so comfy!) plus The Row power clutch. Isn’t that the perfect term for it? I’m standing sidways here to show you the nice long lines that are created by this layering technique. I am 5’5” and I think this makes me look longer (for those who are going to say ‘I’m not tall enough to wear this!’)

From left: Basically the exact same dress from COS. And a slew of fun pants. Blue sparkly Dries babies. Final sale but just look at that discount! Missoni knit pants. Apiece Apart red crepe cropped flares. LaDoubleJ psychedelic flairs. Cult Gaia silky things. Also available in a fun floral here.

4. Black + White + Accessorized All Over

Using a white shift dress and black silky pants, this formula becomes a blank canvas for any festive (or not so festive but get yourself dressed and participate!) mood. Lots of gold accents and chunky jewelry makes it feel slightly rock and roll. Or A big bow and a vintage lady bag flirts with coquettishness. I could have kept going with this look…but this is meant to be an edited respite from the internet, is it not?

When it’s too cold for sandals: try basic versions of these shapes with a fun boot! Or a minimal, slim, foot-hugging black boot with a more fun dress (you’ll see this two photos down.) I also layered on the chunky gold jewelry, feeling like this look was a good canvas for piling it on, but would look excellent as a minimalist take without all the gold, jewelry and fringe too. SEE BELOW. Necklaces are Larkspur & Hawk and Elizabeth Locke.

She’s a lady! Gigi Burris bow - sold out but this Anthropologie one for $18 looks lovely. Vintage bag found in Milan at Vintage Delirium (in case you are going…it’s a must stop!) Here’s a great looking alt on Poshmark.

Creamy vanilla minis in every flavor (err shape!). From left: Khaite cocoon silk shirtdress. Frankie Shop sequin-y, sparkly shift which I think is a little more gold IRL but still lovely. Gucci classic tweed. I mean, I can see us all wearing all three of these a million ways. I don’t even think I can pick favorites here.

5. Dress as vest = sure fire hit!

This Attersee dress has been so fun to play with the past month that I couldn’t stop making outfits. *Editor’s note: I had it heavily tailored as I’m a true pear in my proportions. It was too wide in the shoulders while fitting perfectly in the hips and I was determined to make it work…just in case you love it as much as I do and don't think it’s for you upon arrival, it is! Take whatever size you think will fit your widest part and go from there. I’m wearing a size 2 for reference*

Anyway, there are many reasons I love it for this holiday season and specifically our layering plan for the next two months. First, it’s quite high cut and I don’t love to show it all off. So it lets me bare arms in a way that feels winter appropriate. It has velvet covered buttons (the perfection!), and the button-front design makes it one of the most flexible pieces in my closet. It is great with a little sheer tight for a proper party. Its adorable with a white turtleneck and boots for a daytime party and its phenomenal over pants and tees for this, that and the third! Here are just a few of the ways I’m loving it, plus a few other options in case it’s sold out in your size.

Sleeveless! But with a knit pant and boots to keep me warm all over. Attersee dress. Prada pants (The Missoni pants above are a great alt). Emme Parsons boots. The Row bag.

Same look but with a super tight knit turtleneck for when I really just want to feel bundled. Added a red bag to give it a little flair since this look is so covered I felt like it needed a little something. Some red bags linked above.

With our Tory Burch chiffon skirt from last summer! Now on super sale! Should I get the other color way too!? Look how great it winterizes! With vintage Prada slingbacks. Wouldn’t this be fun with these though? Or have I totally lost my mind. I really love them.

And as every salesperson has said to you in the fitting room since the dawn of time: ‘And you can belt it!’ With a t-shirt underneath (for warmth just as much as for style). A silky skirt making the rigidity of the mini dress feel soft. Bulky silver belt and a matching three strand tubogas bracelet by Sidney Garber make it feel more exciting and “party-ish”. Plus the best boot of the season, once again.

Three button front dresses to pair with all the pants and skirts (and slip dresses!) you already own. From left: J.Crew long sleeve tweedy dress. This is giving me Anne Boleyn vibes (pre-Tower-of-London.) Attersee dress, the one I’m wearing throughout. Balmain dress with gold buttons, on sale! I do forsee you needing to tailor the J.Crew or Attersee because this will really look best with a perfect fit, but I’ll also urge you to not be scared of doing that.

Ok now go play around with this idea. And send me a pic! :) Happy party season everyone. And a very happy Thanksgiving. Sending love and gratitude to you and yours.

Yours TRULY,

Becky

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