As much as I’m not a winter girl, I’m thankful that I live in a state that experience’s all four seasons; because there are few things in life that can take your breath away, like driving around a bend in the road and being met by a sea of colorful leaves. Fall is here in all its reddish -gold glory, and it’s all because seasons change.
New seasons in our own lives can be both thrilling and terrifying, but never be discouraged because seasons change and juuuust when we think we can’t handle one more snowflake or one more 90 degree day (both metaphorically and in reality)…a new season is right around the corner.
So, whatever season you may find yourself in today, I pray that you’re heart is encouraged, because seasons will change and we are promised to never be handed more than we can handle. And just as seasons change in our lives and in our world, there’s one other place that seasons change…in our closet! (Oh you knew there was a segway in there somewhere 😉
I had a conversation with someone recently who grew up in California. She never understood what all her Mid-Western family was talking about when they mentioned “changing over their closets.” She moved here in January. She gets it now.
With some items it makes complete sense to let them live in your closet year round. Layering tanks, ballet flats etc. But other items, like say a really cute pair of shorts that you love to rock in August, will only make you sad when you stare at them in the middle of February.
Today, we’re going to talk about an item that has free reign to live in your closet year round. A Dress. But, we’re not just going to talk about it, because that would be really boring, let’s look at how we can take the one dress and style it to wear through all 4 seasons.
This is all about getting the most bang for your buck and offering you a little encouragement when all you want to do is shop! 😉 …You might not need to, you might have everything you need to transition into Fall and Winter already. Don’t believe me? Let’s check it out.
Say hello to my little dress.
This dress has been a standby for a few years. (It’s no longer available in stores, it was one of those designer colabs from Target, BUT you can find similar ones here, here & here. Thanks Shopstyle App! )
AND with a few simple accessories changes we’ll take this little frock from Winter to Spring and back again.
First up lets see how to wear this dress in the summer months.
When it’s warmer, this dress works great sleeveless and allows the frayed detail on the shoulder seams to show off. Too jazz it up a little, just stack a little rose-gold party on your wrist..
Watch and Bracelet are both from the Limited. And yes, sadly, a few pieces of bling have fallen by the wayside. I’m just going with, “I leave a little sparkle wherever I go” and moving on. 😀
This belt was a new purchase this year from Aldo. LOVE this belt and how it lightens up this dress for the summer months. Add a nude pump and a neutral bag ( i won this Jessica Simpson at an auction 2 years ago! It goes with everything. Best $40 I ever spent on a purse. PLUS…its for the kids.) 😉
This look works great in the spring as well, you may just need to add a little sweater depending on where you live. Spring in MI is really moody. You could either wear this look as is OR with a down-filled parka 😉
Moving right along to Fall. We’ll take our accessories to the dark side.
Trade your neutral belt for a black studded one. This one is from Target. There’s something really fun about leather and “lace” together.
Add a Black boyfriend Blazer like this one from Forever 21. Switch up your jewelry from arm party to neck party?…is that a thing? Well either way, this multi-teared black necklace from the Limited is a good time and a GREAT investment. It can jazz up anything from a lace dress to a T-shirt. I’d also change out my shoes and bag….she said staring dramatically down at her toes.
Bag is from Aldo and Gladiator Sandals are from Target. I bought these shoes “so last season,” but here’s a similar pair 🙂
By this time in the photo shoot process, I was getting a little loopy. And Gunther had clearly had enough
BUT, onto winter, and giving my little buddy the “much needed” attention he demands. 😉
So, I kept the Jacket, pinned up the hair all fancy-like. (Not really, more like 2 min and lots of flying bobby pins.) Exchanged the necklace for a Statement Earring (a big must have this season), and added a huge sparkly cocktail ring, because I’m a girl. Both of these are older, but I believe they too are from the Limited. Charming Charlie’s and Forever 21 would have some great and inexpensive options as well.
To keep your legs from freezing in the chilly months tights are a girls best friend and to keep it current, I added my nude pumps for a little pop. BUT if you’re not feeling that adventurous, Black Patent Leather will work equally as well. I’d stick with patent leather though, WAY easier to keep clean in the snow and salt.
Sunglasses. (TJ Maxx) Not just for summer.
Self. Never to be taken too seriously.
Hope this gives you a little encouragement to re-work your closet and use what you have.
Go forth and accessorize.
Until next time,
Meg
This looks like it was such a fun post to create! I struggle with transitional clothing but feel like I’m getting better. My husband grew up in Miami and like your cousin, he also didn’t understand “switching out the clothes.”
Thanks Sheryl! It can be tricky for sure. I usually start by switching my shoes to my “chilly weather options”?and go from there
Great tips…thanks! And Gunther looks great, too. Reminds me of our cocker spaniel, Alex.
Thanks Lana! We’ll always have soft spots for cocker spaniels huh? ?
Adorable, I love accessories! That looks fun too!
Thanks so much Shari!
You did a great job with changing up the accessories and adding the jacket and leggings. The way fashion is today you could even use a complimentary patterned scarf. Thanks for sharing this week on Oh My Heartsie Girl. Have a great weekend!!
It’s so true, mixing patterns is such a fun trend. Thanks for stopping by!
Love this!! Such a really great idea for a post, so many people have trouble with this. Great way to get the most out of an item. I love your blog. So glad I found you today on the Pin Junkie Link Up! Follow back, I think you will like my site too.
xoxo
Ashley
http://www.arrayofstyle.com
Thanks Ashley! So glad you stopped by 🙂 Enjoying your blog too! 🙂
I often just bung a cardie over a summer dress and a pair of tights but I’m not sure it looks quite so “put together” as you do here. I think its all the little accessories, belts etc that really make a difference. Lovely!
I love a good Cardie too! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by Julie!
I love seeing ways to rework closet staples! This dress is so cute, and it look great with the blazer!
Thanks so much Megan! Love your blog, so glad you stopped by 🙂
I’m really trying to learn how to use my clothes in different seasons (sometimes hard since Colorado can be SO hot and SO cold at the same time) but this gave me some good ideas! Especially switching the colors of accessories, never really thought about that before! (I’m hardly a fashionista)
Accessories can be fun ways to change things up, ESPECIALLY because you can usually do it at any budget 🙂 Thanks Sarah!
I definitely have a few things I wear year-round. Some of my neutral shorts look great with a sweater, tights, and leg warmers. My summer tank tops also layer really well under long-sleeved tops and sweaters in the winter.
Great ideas Brita! Thanks! 🙂
Cute!
It’s so true! Dresses are extremely versatile and can be paired with so many different options!
Love the way you styled this one!
Thanks so much Amy! Looking forward to digging into you blog, sounds like we have very similar hearts 🙂
I love this! You styled the dress so beautifully every time! It’s great inspiration, and makes me feel better when I go to buy a dress – I can really get my money’s worth out of it!
Thank you so much Elizabeth. It’s true, if you have a little vision, a dress is really a wardrobe stretcher! 🙂 So glad you stopped by, love the heart behind your blog!
love love love it Megan! I have a few summer dresses I wear all year round but I think I need to invest in a more neutral coloured one because I think I might look a little out of place with blue & flower print lol thanks for the super awesome ideas!
haha, I love color too, but it’s definitely true that nuetrals can give you a little more mileage, thanks so much for stopping by Emma!
Love it! You look like such fun 🙂 The fall look was my fav!
Thanks Michelle! 🙂 I’m partial to the fall look myself, I think it’s the shoes 😉
Great post!! I’ve actually been wondering how to transition my clothes into fall and winter outfits – thanks for the tips! I found you on the blog link-up today – it’s fun to find new blogs! 🙂
Thanks Hannah! So glad you stopped by! 🙂
You did a fantastic job of transitioning that dress throughout the seasons! Thanks for sharing with us at Wake Up Wedensday!
Thank you so much Karen! Love that link up, thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
I love this idea! Making summer clothes work in winter is a great way to stretch your wardrobe!
Thanks so much Allie! So glad you stopped by 🙂
how cute are you! great tips and as someone who lives in warm weather all year round, it’s great to see summer clothes transition well into the other seasons that we don’t typically get!
There you go, now, if you ever venture into a colder climate, you’ll be all set 🙂
I’d love to have you raid my closet and come up with some cute outfits! You’ve got me inspired! Thanks so much for sharing this at the Frugal Craft Home Blog Hop. You’ll be one of my features at our next party!
Oh wow, thank you so much Carrie! And seriously, raiding other people’s closets is one of my favorite things to do! lol I love helping people discover that what they have could be enough 🙂 thanks again, so excited!
I LOVE that dress! This is such a cool idea to take one dress and transition it for different seasons. This look is perfect for Fall. Thanks for sharing it with Hump Day Happenings.
Thanks so much Jenna! Always love linking up with you & WalkerFiresideChats! 🙂
Love how you added a darker belt, a blazer, and tights to make your dress wearable during the fall. Such a great idea.
Thanks so much Sonya 🙂 hope it inspires your own closet 🙂
I don’t even have a summer or winter wardrobe, even though I wish I did. I live in sunny Florida. I love the way the belts add some contrast and make it great for the different seasons. Thanks for sharing with Turn it Up Tuesday.
Thanks April!
I love all of these looks! you are just adorable! 🙂
Aw, you’re so sweet, thanks so much Rebecca! And thanks for featuring my post this week 🙂 super Excited about that!
So cute! I love wearing dresses, but yeah, in Michigan weather I really had to layer up if I wanted to wear dresses in the winter and not freeze!
It’s so true! Are you from MI originally?
This is so excellent because I’m currently transitioning my summer wardrobe to fall. I’m a “just add leggings” girl, so I like your additional accessory ideas to complete the transition with class. Thanks for the tips!
I love a good pair of leggings myself 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by Brittany!
Hello gorgeous! I love everything. You have great style! Pinned. We hope to see you at our party tonight at 7 pm. It is so fun to party with you! http://loulougirls.blogspot.com/
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Aw, why thank you! Yes, you’ll definitely see me tonight ?
One of the few things I like about the colder months is the fabulous clothes (like by tall brown boots) and the layers we get to wear. All of your outfit ideas here are just my style. Thanks so much for sharing this at Your Turn to Shine this week!
So true, great boots help take the edge off of winter. 😉 Thanks so much Jamie and thanks for hosting such a great link up!
I love your personality in all of these photos! Thanks for joining us with What Wives Wear, hope to see you back each week 🙂 The dress looks great with that thick belt, but I also like the classier look with the blazer. Your hair is beautiful pinned back in the blazer outfit!
Aw, thank u so much!
You’re beautiful, my friend!!!! 🙂 And what an awesome idea for transitioning a dress!!! Switching belts.. an awesome idea! 🙂 Thanks for linking up with us!
So sweet, Thanks Katie! Thanks so much for hostibg the link up! Such a fun and needed topic:)
Love how transitional this ONE piece of clothing was!
Ive gotten a lot of mileage out of this dress! So glad yous stopped by Chelsea! 🙂
love how you styled this dress!
thank you for linking up with #skirtistadiaries!
<3 rhea @ rheaetcetera.com
Thanks so much Rhea!
Love it! And you pup is sooo cute!
-Jan
janmloves.blogspot.com
Thanks so much Jan! So glad you stopped by! 🙂
Cute outfit and I really love how you changed it up!
Thanks so much Lisa!
First time I’ve visited and I love how you worked one dress into a year round piece. It seems that you don’t take yourself too seriously, you have fun, and it shows! BTW, I see you are from Michigan, my hubby is originally, and we live in Indiana now. Nice to meet you.
Nice to “meet” you too! Thanks so much Nikki, stopped by your blog for the first time today, love it 🙂
Fantastic- we are just heading into Autumn/Fall and so I love the way you have styled the dress for that particular season!
Thanks Lauren! Glad it gave you some ideas, its so easy to pull off! 🙂
It is amazing how just add a belt and some accessories can take a dress from spring to summer.
I just love an easy quick change! Thanks for stopping by Talitha! 🙂
Great post and the dress is really awesome. I found your blog thru Lisa’s 101 linkup party. I am also in wordpress and have a linkup party going on right now http://highlatitudestyle.com/2015/05/21/style-pink-motorcycle-jacket/
Thanks so much Nicole! Looking forward to joining your party 🙂
I think that was a good move.
Thanks so much Nicole!
Gorgeous!!! Love the remix XO!! Thank you so much for sharing with #LINKUPWITHLISA @ http://www.beauty101bylisa.com/2015/05/linkupwithlisa-18-yellow-blazer.html
Thanks for hosting Lisa!!
Congratulations Megan!! You are this weeks MOST VIEWED BEAUTIFUL BLOGGER @ http://www.beauty101bylisa.com/2015/05/linkupwithlisa-19-refashioned-maxi.html #LINKUPWITHLISA
Yay! So excited! 😀
Great tips and great looks!
Thanks so much Missi!! So glad you stopped by 🙂
So fun! I definitely need these tips – I’m trying to pare down my wardrobe but still keep options so it’s great to see how you can style one piece so many different ways! So clever 🙂 Thanks!
Thanks so much Erica! Paring down can definitely be a challenge, hope this helps 🙂 so glad you stopped by, looking forward to digging into your blog 🙂
This is such a cute dress, and I love these ideas! I will definitely have to use these tips to help make my clothes more versatile!
Thanks for sharing at the Grace + Lace Linkup!
Thanks Mackenzie! I’m so glad it was helpful! 🙂
Great post loved all the looks! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on Twitter! Have a great week!
Kim
Thanks so much Kim! love when you stop by 🙂
Your flower belt is amazing! I would love for you to stop by my fashion link up if you get a chance 🙂 http://sydneyfashionhunter.com/2016/08/bright-yellow-wool-coat.html
Thank you so much Sydney!
It’s so great to be able to wear one staple item throughout the year! This dress is too cute.
Thank you so much Stacia!!