Welcome to the fab 40's.
I am delighted to be part of a group of international bloggers, called The fab 40's.The purpose of the group is to show how seven (very different) women interpret a specific style.
Each month there is a new theme chosen by one of the group.
This month it was my turn!
This diverse group proves that being 40(+) does not mean you have to be dowdy, frumpy, boring or forgettable.
Eveningwear as Daywear
This theme I chose was styling your party clothes (or occasion wear) during the day.How many of us have (sometimes) expensive, and rarely worn, items hanging in our wardrobes?
Wouldn't it be great if we could get more wear out of these fun and fab clothes?
Styling occasion wear during the day is relatively easy...
{See me going from work to a party, here and styling an evening dress here}
A few tweeks and you are rocking a fabulous (and unique) daytime look.
Upping the style points as well as reducing that cost per wear!
As the person who picked this theme, you would think I had it all planned out, right?
Erm....
Nope!
I do like a challenge.
After rummaging through some old party/wedding/occasion dresses (some of which ended up in the charity bag) I decided on this satin wiggle dress.
It is so comfortable and easy to wear.
{See the original post here}
This dress is such a great fit (and feel) that all I did was add a t-shirt on top and ...voila!
An easy outfit.
The t-shirt is a high-low design which made it perfect for tucking into a belt to give my outfit more shape and less of a sloppy feel.
I left the longer back section loose to keep things casual and easy looking.
A casual trainer always works wonders when you want to make an outfit seem more thrown together, and effortless.
A simple silver bag (worn high and across the body) adds a modern touch.
A warmer toned scarf pulled the colour of my hair into the palette, and helped soften the harshness of the black and white against my pale skin.
Some fun (and ever so slightly creepy) rings finished things off perfectly!
Do you have partywear that you would love to style up for daytime, but don't know where to start?
Well, fear not!
I have 6 fabulous ladies here, to show you how it can be done with ease.
Our Guest blogger...Vale from Fashion and Cookies
Vale is one stylish lady!
She has a wardrobe to die for, and the most amazing figure.
I can't help applauding both.
She has a wardrobe to die for, and the most amazing figure.
I can't help applauding both.
Her blog is cool, super-stylish and fun.
Packed with fashion, and oodles of beauty posts too.
Please check it out.
However, be warned....
You might never look at your own shoe collection the same way again.
{Serious wardrobe envy alert!!}
Packed with fashion, and oodles of beauty posts too.
Please check it out.
However, be warned....
You might never look at your own shoe collection the same way again.
{Serious wardrobe envy alert!!}
Vale's outfits are usually quirky, colourful and often involve clashes of texture and colour.
I was initially surprised to see her in this monochrome look, but not at all surprised to see a mixture of textures and a cheeky peep of skin.
And, that blue tone... just gorgeous.
A ladylike look, but still flirty with plenty of fun!
SUNGLASSES: Moschino
TOP: Yumi
SKIRT: Asos
BAG: Zara
SHOES: Sergio Levantesi
Sheela from Sheela writes.
Speaking of shoe envy....
Over to Sheela!
Once again her shoes are crazy-cool with a killer heel and a super sexy vibe.
She looks amazing in this T-shirt and trousers combination.
So simple but SO effective!
SEQUINED TROUSERS: Free People
TOP: Thrifted
SHOES: Ami Club Wear
Fitbit & Rings: Gifted
SUNGLASSES: Poshmark
LIPSTICK: I’m Nude from Jeffree Star Cosmetics
Ann from Kremb de la Kremb
Ann is one of those women I mentioned earlier...
The ones who can wear trainers (or super-casual shoes, like these flip flops) with anything.
Not content with styling one jazzy item, she has chosen two!
What a great look.
Sequins on sequins... not for the faint hearted but definitely for the fun loving!
Ann looks fabulous in this outfit.
The ones who can wear trainers (or super-casual shoes, like these flip flops) with anything.
Not content with styling one jazzy item, she has chosen two!
What a great look.
Sequins on sequins... not for the faint hearted but definitely for the fun loving!
Ann looks fabulous in this outfit.
SUNGLASSES and BELT: ASOS
EARRINGS: from a colleague way back from my time in El Salvador
JACKET: Zara
T-SHIRT: Nordstrom Rack
SKIRT: Forever 21
SANDALS: Teva FlatformsJennie from A pocketful of polka dots.
Jennie is someone who always brings a tomboy feel to her looks (in my mind anyway).
I love how wearable this outfit is.
Jeans and gutties.
Easy.
This is how it is done!
I love how wearable this outfit is.
Jeans and gutties.
Easy.
This is how it is done!
JACKET: Liz Claiborne, JCPenney
TOP: NY&Co.
JEANS: jcp, JCPenney
TRAINERS: Steve Madden "Eros"
NECKLACE: Charming Charlie
Diane from Fashion on the fourth floor.
Those legs....sigh.
(Although being that toned takes effort, she works her butt off!)
Her style often involves trainers (or gutties) and a toned down vibe... easy to copy in real life.
This look is another (seemingly) effortless outfit.
Cut-offs, trainers and a top, that just so happens to be covered in sequins!
Her gorgeous hair is pulled up in a top knot, and she is good to go.
I love it.
Sequin TOP: Express
SHORTS: H&M
TRAINERS: Bebe
WATCH: Fossil
EARRINGS: Express
BAG: Mofe inc.
She is pulled together, and elegant, but never fades into the background.
A sequined pencil skirt works perfectly with a simple striped top, and mules.
I love how her nails match her bag and the stripes on her top.
She has an eye for the details and knows how to turn heads!
A sequined pencil skirt works perfectly with a simple striped top, and mules.
I love how her nails match her bag and the stripes on her top.
She has an eye for the details and knows how to turn heads!
SKIRT: Carson's
TOP: H&M
SHOES: Jessica Simpson
NECKLACE: New Work and Company
BAG: Call it Spring-Jcpenney
Over to you...
Do you try and get more use out of your 'occasion' clothes?What would you have chosen to wear?
Please let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment.
Or tweet me @samantha4blair.
I love hearing from you!
DRESS: Maggy London
BELT: Warehouse
T-SHIRT: ME&EM
SCARF: a gift
BAG: Topshop
SHOES: Puma
Hi Sam, I am so honored to be part of this group and also glad you liked my outfit ! Actually after seeing your choices I regret not choosing to wear sneakers as I had been thinking about it ! :) Love your look, polka dots and stripes are so cute together and you make this work so effortlessly ! Many kisses and thank you for your kind words =)
ReplyDeleteFashion and Cookies - fashion and beauty blog
Thank you for joining us Vale. I knew you would bring something unexpected into the mix and you did not let me down! I am a little bit in love with those blue shoes :oP XXX
DeleteLoved your choice for this month's theme, Sam. I really enjoy the pattern mixing you incorporated, as well as the sneakers. Great idea of keeping a high low hemline with your shirt for an even more relaxed vibe!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennie. I had a feeling you would nail this theme...mixing feminine with masculine is what I love about your look. XXX
DeleteThis is truly a how to/instructional post! Because of course, we all have an evening piece that just sits in our closet time after time. Why not wear it for everyday!! And to see all of the variations with the other bloggers---it really gets my mind thinking about my own closet!!
ReplyDeleteAnd sneakers make everything better!!
jodie
www.jtouchofstyle.com
THAT is a post I want to read Jodie! Three ways to restyle your occasion wear... I bet your Mum has some amazing gems lurking in her wardrobe! She could get the sewing machine out and totally rework them. XXX
DeleteMmm, I have a dress I love but never wear because I bought it for a new years eve party. Perhaps I could experiment with it! I love the way you styled the dress for the Evening. Just perfect. So nice to take a look at all the outfits of the other bloggers!
ReplyDeleteThat sound like a great idea Nancy! Jumpers and sweatshirts work well, as do cardigans (Belted over)....and trainers make everything cool! :oD XXX
Delete*sounds
DeleteMmm, I have a dress I love but never wear because I bought it for a new years eve party. Perhaps I could experiment with it! I love the way you styled the dress for the Evening. Just perfect. So nice to take a look at all the outfits of the other bloggers!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nancy. X
DeleteI absolutely love this collection of evening-to-daytime styles, Samantha. It is creative and a wonderful wardrobe-stretcher! xo
ReplyDelete-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Thank you Patti. I really wanted to get more wear out of this dress as it feels so good on! XXX
DeleteWhat a fantastic bunch.Most of them friends already.
ReplyDeleteBesos
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I'm glad to hear that Sacramento! XXX
DeleteLove this, Samantha! First of all, this dress is stunning as evening wear. And then casualized (I made up that word), it is supremely adorable! You are definitely rocking it with the sneakers and the shiny polka dot skirt. And that scarf is beautiful. Well done!
ReplyDeleteShelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Casualized is a great word! Perfect. It is nice to get more out of our clothes, isn't it? I often get bored with my clothes but don't have a huge clothing budget....time to get creative :oD XXX
DeleteSuch a beautiful dress! You completely transformed it and made it work perfectly for daytime! Loved seeing how everyone styled evening wear for daytime!
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
Thank you Andrea! They all look great, don't they? I am going to dig out my sequined skirt again soon after seeing Mary and Ann in theirs. XXX
DeleteThis was such a fun theme! Thank you I had such a great time and I love what you did with that fabulous dress!
ReplyDeleteMary
Thank you Mary! Your skirt has inspired me to dig out one of my own :oD XXX
DeleteLove reading how everyone styled their evening looks for day. Everyone has a unique creative spin, I have a sparkly teal evening dress I might be inspired in the future to style then. I wore it to my brothers wedding.
ReplyDeleteGreat post
Xxjess
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
And I love the word gutties!!😉❤
It's a great word isn't it? Hahaha. I know a lot of (non-US) bloggers use the US versions of words like sneakers, kicks, vests and pants... but I am sticking with my gutties :oP... you know what I mean now anyway! :oD XXX
Deletewouuu, thanks for a really inspiring post!, I'm loving all those fabulous ideas, trainers and sequins, shiny fabrics and t-shirts!!, everything is brilliant and cool!!
ReplyDeleteI would like to wear gutties/sneakers/trainers in dressy ensembles, but my fussy feet are not collaborating. Can't wear flats (it's painful!!) and it's a style I miss so much!!!
You look gorgeous and love your polka dot dress!, and gutties!!
besos
Oh Monica....sore feet are the worst! There are some trainers that provide a slight lift at the heel...I do hope you are able to find something to suit. Trainers can go with just about anything! :oD XXX
DeleteLove the stripes and polka dots and the gutties look great. Not sure about the scarf. I get wanting to pull your great haircolor into the mix but I'd probably do it in a bigger dot, bolder strupe or a solid.
ReplyDeleteI could see you with a bolder scarf, Judy....maye more dots or stripes. I felt that my colouring needed softened a little to try and pull the outfit together and seem a little sofer and more day-time appropriate. I had a black and white belt on, initially but took it off before going out. It seemed too 'put-together'...if that makes sense!! :oD
DeleteXXX
Love the stripes and polka dots and the gutties look great. Not sure about the scarf. I get wanting to pull your great haircolor into the mix but I'd probably do it in a bigger dot, bolder strupe or a solid.
ReplyDeleteYou take the cake, Sam, you absolutely do. What a clever way of maximising the wear out of your dress. How absolutely unexpected!! Love love love.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheela!!! XXX
DeleteFantastic examples. All of you. And you are so right.. what a waste of money to only use that beautiful evening date item once in a while.
ReplyDeleteGreetje
Hahaha...yes, indeed Greetje! XXX
DeleteWow! There is no way anyone guess that's a dress! At first look I thought it was a polka dot midi skirt! And after reading your post I am like surprised and happy that I got a style lesson! I have styled my dress and tucked on a long maxi skirt b4, but I need to try this!
ReplyDeleteEvening wear for the day is not as hard to pull of as it seems! The trick is to be unpredictable and change the mindset! Love your group and the other ladies!
All of u r gorgeous!
http://www.afashionholicslife.blogspot.com
Thank you Qazi!
DeleteI am glad I fooled you for a moment :oD
XXX
Great recommendations and, again, with the reasons for your choices which make a lot of sense! (comfort, cute styling) One point that I particularly loved was how you softened the black/white look with a scarf that nodded to your own hair and skin tones. I think this is one of the reasons I dislike the black/white option so much as it's overused because it's easy to do, but often doesn't complement the wearer. This is not the case with your styling choices! Thanks also for the great recommendations of other fashion bloggers.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! Black and white can be really hard to wear...very few people genuinely suit black (or white), but we can pull it off with some accessories, and a spot of makeup :oP. Thank you for your kind words. XXX
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