5 ways to dress down an outfit

skirt | tee | shoes | bag

photos by Ban Avenue Photography


Happy Monday, friends! We had a very lazy and relaxing weekend for the most part and it was glorious. Bear ran his first ever 5k with Zach to benefit United Way and I’m so proud of our boy! Boone and I just waited at the finish line but Zach reported that Bear ran over 2 miles of the 3.2 mile run, and talked the entire way :). No surprise there- Bear is our little chatterbox. Zach said he was saying funny thing like, “Man I’ve never run this far! They don’t make us run like this in P.E.”. Boone walks his little legs off all day every day- I’m sure he would’ve finished the 5k like no big deal. I was happy to wait at the finish line.

Now that I’m a mom of these cuties, my style has gotten much more casual. I still own and love a lot of pieces that are dressier, but I rarely have places to wear them. I’ve had to get a bit creative over the years with how to style pieces that I love- pieces that are comfortable but seemingly too dressy for everyday wear like the embroidered skirt above. I’d normally wear this with a nice top and heels for a special occasion. By pairing the skirt with a fitted tee, sandals, and a wicker bag, it’s perfect for running around town.

5 ways I like to dress down an outfit:
1. Tie a jacket around the waist of a dress. If I’m wearing a dress that feels a little, well, dressy, I just grab a denim jacket and tie it around my waist to create a more laid-back and casual look. This also helps if the dress is a little too long on my 5’3 frame because I can pull it up a little bit above the jacket and take a few inches off the hem that way, also making the dress appear more casual. Doesn’t have to be a jacket; flannels and cardigans also do the trick!
2. Wear sneakers. I have so many dresses that are comfy, especially in the summer, but even when worn with sandals the look is too much for an afternoon park run. I love to pair slip-on sneakers with a dress for a casual and sporty look. These are some recent favorites that I’ve been wearing with everything from dresses to leggings.
3. Apply the “half and half” rule. Have a button-up blouse that you love and used to wear to your corporate job all the time, but it’s too dressy for a playdate? Instead of wearing the blouse with a pencil skirt, opt for a pair of shorts and tie the bottom of the blouse in a cute knot. Or take a skirt like the one above and pair it with a basic tee. The point of this rule is, half the outfit dressy, half casual. The overall look will come across as casual yet put-together and you’ll start to see your closet in a whole new light.
4. Play with the silhouette. As I mentioned with knotting the blouse above, sometimes the secret to taking a look from night to day is as simple as rolling up the sleeves or unbuttoning a few buttons. Do a front tuck instead of tucking the entire shirt in. Have fun with it and do whatever makes you feel comfortable!
5. Forgo the accessories. Many times the dressiest part of an outfit are the accessories. Earrings, statement necklaces, and arm stacks can all take an outfit from basic to over-the-top. Use that method in reverse and opt out of wearing jewelry or carrying a structured handbag, and instead go for only a watch or simple studs and an everyday tote bag. This will make your look seem effortless and remember that less is always more (have to remind myself of this a lot!).


Hope your week is off to a great start!
xo, Britt