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Six Special-Occasion Dresses You Can Also Wear for Regular Life
Get more bang for your buck—and introduce some celebratory flair into your everyday wardrobe.
I love being a wedding guest. Tearing up during the vows, dancing to songs from my high school years in a fancy dress, getting to meet all the important people in my friends’ lives—to me, it’s all a blast.
The one thing I don’t like doing? Buying a dress for the event, and then never wearing it again. It feels wasteful, it takes up room in my closet, and it makes for an abysmal cost per wear. I wish I had the confidence to wear the same thing to every wedding, but I just don’t (and where’s the fun in that, anyway?).
Luckily, I’ve become a pro at picking special-occasion dresses that can also be styled for weekends, work, dinner dates—all the normal life things. By selecting versatile pieces for special occasions, I get more bang for my buck and introduce a bit of celebratory flair into my everyday wardrobe. Here are six event-ready dresses you can also wear for your regular life.
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The Oona Dress
Statement-making style and versatility rarely overlap—but when they do, it’s a magical thing. The Oona dress is simultaneously celebratory and sophisticated, making it the ideal dress for summer parties of all kinds. For a birthday party (maybe even yours?), dress it up with shiny gold shoes and hoops, and complete the look with a chic clutch. For a work party, keep things professional by adding a breathable blazer and matching pumps.
The Demi Jumpsuit
Sure, this one’s not technically a dress—but it’s just as comfortable, easy to style, and summer-ready. The Demi jumpsuit is made from gingham linen, which offers the best of both worlds: the linen gives off a relaxed vibe, while the gingham pattern offers polish. Try it with the Ella sandals and a statement necklace like the Herma for occasions when you want to look nice without being too dressed-up (think: baby showers and post-wedding brunches). Heading into the office? Put the suit in jumpsuit by topping the Demi with the matching Dolly jacket. Finish the look with a chic silk scarf, black pumps, and silver earrings.
The Cassandra Dress
The Cassandra is like two pieces for the price of one—because you can wear it as a dress, but you can also wear it as a long vest. For a graduation (especially if it’s outside), you’ll appreciate how lightweight our OrigamiTech fabric is. Plus, it’s wrinkle-resistant, so you’ll still look polished after two hours in a folding chair. For a more casual outfit, try wearing the Cassandra as a vest over the Lisey cami and Sammataro jeans.
The Pepper Dress
If I had to describe the Pepper dress in one word, it would be sophisticated. But if I were allowed a few more adjectives, I’d also throw in silky, sustainably produced, and machine-washable. You should definitely wear it to a summer wedding—and make it extra festive with shiny pumps, elegant earrings, and a fancy purse—but you could also throw it on for a random afternoon when you want to look nice.
The Alesia Dress
The Alesia dress has big vacation energy—can’t you just see yourself wearing it on a beautiful patio in some far-flung destination? But that doesn’t mean you have to stop wearing it when you get home. Keep the dreamy vacation vibes going by wearing the Alesia to work. You can cinch your waist with the Circle Buckle belt to add structure and layer on the Yiyan blazer for a professional feel.
The Gabriella Dress
I know I don’t need to convince you of the versatility of a little black dress. And with its swishy A-line skirt, elegant vertical seaming, and stretchy washable ponte, the Gabriella dress is one of the best LBDs out there. The next time you have a fancy cocktail party on the agenda, pair it with some colorful earrings and fun shoes, and you’re ready to go. Have a job interview the next day? As long as nobody spilled their martini on you, you can re-wear that dress—just add the Lilia jacket, the Rowan flats, and some simple studs.
