When it comes to style, there are no rules. Fashion girls know how to expertly match florals with stripes, wear summer pieces in the fall and pair sequins with denim. And when it comes to eveningwear, well, it isn’t just for evening.
Our going-out clothes are often the most expensive things in our wardrobe, yet they’re also the pieces we end up wearing the least. Instead of saving them for a suitable dressy occasion, make like the fashion set and start wearing them whenever you feel like it. Not only will you get more wear out of your dressy pieces, you’ll give the rest of your wardrobe a major refresh without dropping any cash.
You don’t want to look like you haven’t been home after partying the night before, so the goal with wearing eveningwear during the day is to pair it with everyday clothes. To get the mix right, it’s all about combining different styles, colors and fabrics for a dressy casual look.
Bring on the feathers, sequins and lace, and take a look at 22 street style-inspired ways to wear your favorite evening pieces while the sun is still shining.
Images: Imaxtree
22 Easy Ways You Can Rock Eveningwear During the Day
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Black and Blue
You've got sheer, patent leather, lace, bright blue and baby pink in one look. It sounds like a lot, but it works because all of the detail is focused on the top while the color is on the bottom. The result is a harmonious day-meets-night ensemble.
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Dressed Down
Your athleisure pieces are just the thing to dress down a feathered jacket. Give the bomber jacket a rest from time to time and try this look out for yourself.
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Comfy Meets Chic
When it comes to dressing down evening pieces, remember that the easiest way to do it is to style your formal stuff with cozy things. An oversized sweater takes a black lace skirt from cocktail hour to lunch.
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Make It Metallic
Some fashion rules were made to be broken. The rule about saving your metallics for after dark is one of them. Combine a metallic dress with your trusty white T-shirt and jeans for a cool look. Don't forget your fashion girl-approved sneakers.
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Haute Hoodie
A hoodie and a lace-trimmed skirt seem like an odd combination, but they can actually work together. Try a cropped hoodie with a knee-length pencil skirt for a playful twist on proportions. Then throw in some ankle boots for a bit more edge.
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Opposites Attract
Yes, you can wear sequins during the day. A sequined trim works, but you can also rock head-to-toe sparkle. Balance out the shine with a khaki jacket and a casual cap. Wrap a brown belt around your waist to ground the look more.
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Layered LBD
A little black dress is a versatile piece, but some have a clear evening vibe. There's no need to buy another LBD for day. Simply wear a light-colored turtleneck underneath your frock to balance out an open neckline. You can even keep your heeled ankle boots and chain-strap bag.
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Snuggle Up
That maxi dress with plunging neckline doesn't need to be saved until after dark. Style a white T-shirt underneath and an oversized motorcycle jacket on top and you have yourself a new daywear look. If you're worried about your outfit looking mismatched, try a one-color palette for a cohesive finish.
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Don't Forget About Shoes
A marled sweater and sneakers work with jeans, but they aren't your only option. Master mix-and-match dressing by ditching your pants for a printed tulle midi skirt. The ensemble still has an effortless vibe, despite the fancy piece.
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Beyond Basic Black
A sheer skirt works for evening, but it can look out of place during the day. To make it appropriate, layer a pair of leggings underneath. An oversized jacket and sweatshirt on top keep things casual. Stick with an all-black color palette so the different textures in your outfit become the focus.
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Upgraded Basics
Statement coats are meant to be showed off, not hidden in your closet until nightfall. Give your leather jacket a break and rock your embellished coat with your ripped jeans and T-shirt. If you want more shine, try some trendy metallic loafers.
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Shot of Sequins
What makes this outfit so great is that you don't notice the sequins right away. You see the cool hat, the funky glasses, the cool layers, then the sequins. Create a similar effect by wearing a puffer jacket, a white shirt and a long blazer over a sequined midi skirt. Don't forget a pair of bold sunglasses.
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Bust Out the Bustier
Don't save that bustier for a fancy event, bring it out now. Wearing your structured bustier with an oversized white shirt is a surprising combination that proves you can wear a button-down with literally everything. Complete the look with jeans and statement boots and you'll have mix-and-match dressing down.
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Not-So-Stuffy Stuff
Take a classic black suit from corporate to cool by having a coordinating lace top peek out from underneath. If you're feeling playful, you can also experiment with the layered pants.
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Unlikely Combination
Skinny jeans and an embellished dress are about as far apart on the fashion spectrum as you can get. That doesn't mean they don't work together, however. This outfit is proof that they do. Choose a dress with a slit so you can get the full mix-and-match effect.
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Give Them the Boots
Over-the-knee boots are a staple in many of our going-out wardrobes. When you mix them with an oversized hoodie and a short skirt, you can rock those tall boots all day long. FYI: You can sport your red lipstick 24/7, too.
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Long and Lovely
Color ties a look together, but so do proportions. Make your longer evening lengths appropriate for day by pairing them with casual pieces with similar hemlines. A textured coat and scarf can even make a metallic maxi skirt feel cozy.
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Fringe Benefits
You'll be surprised what you can get away with during the day when you start playing around with contrasting pieces. A feathered dress can work when you pair it with a cozy sweater and cropped jeans. If you want to bring a bit of glamour back, wear embellished sandals with socks.
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Show Us Some Silver
Ripped jeans are one of the key pieces in taking something meant for evening into the day. Distressed denim can even make this shimmering silver dress work. If you're going for a fancy statement piece, keep your accessories minimal. You don't need much when you're rocking that many sequins.
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The Versatile T-Shirt
There are countless ways to rock a T-shirt, but you probably haven't seen something like this before. Styling an oversized T-shirt on top of a sheer lace dress manages to make the frock look effortless. That's something that isn't easy to do.
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Slipped Up
Get even more mileage out of that slip dress by wearing a blouse underneath. Pair the slip with sneakers and a brown belt to firmly take it into daywear territory. In cold weather, add a biker jacket and thick tights.
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Birds of a Feather
Feathers are often strictly left to evening, but that doesn't mean they should stay there. A contrasting feathered top brings something new to a textured coat and ripped jeans.
