One of the easiest ways to get more mileage out of dresses is to style them as skirts. I almost passed on this dress due to the limiting strapless cut, but it has since proven it’s versatility and value for $24. I saw SewPetiteGal’s bright outfit with a pencil skirt in this same print, and skipped to my closet to create a similar look.
I like the extra colorful vibe with the emerald green, but also love this dress toned-down with a casual chambray blouse. It’s great for “in-between” occasions where a strapless floral number is too dressy, and a blazer on top is too formal or hot. I also enjoy the comfort of a non-strapless bra when wearing this dress in a converted form.
After this post on signature style, I’ve received numerous requests for a step-by-step on tucking in the blouse. It’s very simple, and I’ve been pointing readers to Elle’s helpful tutorial. Cee is also the master of possibilities with this trick. I made a tutorial here with nothing to add, except that I usually tuck the back of my blouse in under the belt. It looks less natural, but since my blouses are often balloon-y, this helps me tame excess fabric and keep it secured under the belt. This also prevents the blouse and belt from shifting apart in the back…thus revealing the secret of the converted dress.
I “added” this blouse in an alley after snapping photos for a previous post, thus never got to check the end result in a mirror. It should go without saying to make sure you don’t have a gap between blouse and belt as shown below : )
Readers – have you been trying your dresses as skirts? If so, please share some of your favorite combinations!
I LOVE doing this (i.e. changing a dress into a skirt)! I've gotten so much mileage out of summer dress that way. It's also a great way of transitioning a summer dress to Fall, even winter. What I do is a take strapless dress (I had a soft pink lace dress) and put a sweater over top of it. Then wear it with tights and heels, or just ankle boots. It's awesome! Great post!
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great idea the dress looks great on you either way you wear it !
Thank you for this tutorial…so helpful and smart way to add mileage to dresses!
A Little Piece of Fashion and Beauty
Wonderful colorful outfit. Look Pretty in this.
http://www.shopjessicabuurman.com/lookbook-street-fashion_c314
like the print on the dress! It's busy but not cheap at all. the color scheme is cheerful and happy 🙂 love your hair! can you share how to curl hair at home?
This is awesome! I have a couple of dresses I have worn a lot and I want to reinvent them and this is the perfect way!
I can't wait to try this! Awesome!!!
Very nice!
I haven't tried it but I absolutely love how it looks!!!
It also helps that you styled it perfectly!!
XOXO
Awesome tutorial.
I love the way how you turn a dress into an other!!!!
http://www.vivrecommedesfilles.com
Thank you so much for your great inspiration!!!
I love your blog!
xoxo
http://lapeace-lifestyle.blogspot.de/
Very clever ways to wear a dress. Love that green shirt!
Lubna
http://www.ellevox.blogspot.com
http://www.ellevox.blogspot.com
http://www.ellevox.blogspot.com
http://www.ellevox.blogspot.com
love the skirt
yunstation.blogspot.com
How cute!
I really like the top and the belt detail.
Love all three outfits! I often love the way strapless dresses look on the hanger, but have had trouble getting them to look good on my relatively wide shoulders, so I'm excited to try out the shirt on top look!
Dear Jean,
you are my fashion icon. Seriously! I love your style. May I ask you about that Hermés belt you´ve been wearing so much lately? I love it and want to save up and get it. I just think it is a perfect accesorie to lift up any outfit.
I love this! Great tutorial 🙂
This is such a great idea! Your sense of fashion and creativity is so inspiring. I LOVE your blog 🙂
SUPER CUTE IDEA!
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LOVE your DIY stuff!!!!! Wish I had that belt!!!!
The print on that dress is already so pretty by itself, very cool to see you add solid colors on top of it. When you said, "skipped to my closet to create a similar look", I actually imagined you skipping to your closet LOL!
Love your DIY tips, can't wait to see more!
Very nice tutorial, love it.
xo
Rachelle
http://pinksole.wordpress.com/
very pretty combination and practical idea!
do you mind doing ways of wearing a strapless dress with flared hem in the future!
love your blog. 😀
Love how you styled the dress! I always forget to tuck in the back, next time I won't forget 🙂
Great tutorial! Thank you for sharing!
Love it! I actually did something similar for work a couple days ago….belted a button-down over a pleated skirt.
Chloe
http://thesweetlysour.com
Love this emerald color on you! I have not tried this trick yet…but maybe once it cools down! Last spring I did tuck a tunic/dress into a skirt…that was the closest I have gotten to this combo! 🙂
I also did your trick with a chambray strapless dress and green chiffon top. Only difference is that the top isn't a button down. So I used a hair band to keep the bottom tied while tucked underneath. Worked like a charm! I'll do this again 😀
which H&M; top is that? What kind of material? and how much was it? its gorgeous!
You look wonderful! Love the green top and the easy tutorial… I sometimes just tuck in my blouse under the belt and it works too. Nice to know another ways…
Fashion Koketi
great tutorial! Ive worn dresses as skirt before but never like the tucked in version. Ive left the top hanging loose.
You've done it so neatly here. I'll give this a shot tomorrow.
~Natasha Fatah~
I love this trick especially over Maxi dresses :). You look beautiful as always Jean, love the vibrant colours on you.
thanks for the tutorial!!! i think i have only done this when belting "over" the shirt or just tying up a blouse…must try adding the belt & tuck trick! i have a similar strapless dress that i'd love to wear another way!
xoxo, jenn
the stylish housewife
Pretttttty Jean 🙂
I don't often wear my dresses as skirts but I have been wearing my dresses as shirts quite often. I have found that if I find dresses on major sale (or accidentally order a non-refundable one on gilt…) I can rework it to act as a top under a more ballooney skirt.
I'm loving the way you tie your shirts and its a great idea to use a silky top rather than a blazer to reduce the heat.
thepearshape.com
genius. Love!
xO!
http://www.thehautecookie.com
Thanks for all the great ideas:)!
This is such a great idea! I would love to give it a go and hopefully stretch my wardrobe further. I do wonder though if you have to constantly check to see if the top remains tucked in nicely especially at the back where I'm sure its likely to come untucked quite quickly if there's a lot of sitting/standing and moving around?
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I have the same dress from J. Crew! It looks fantastic on you! 🙂 Love these tips… I suddenly see a new world of possibilities opening up in my closet thanks to your tutorial!
Love, S
http://shamelesslyoverdressed.blogspot.com
what a great tutorial! i haven't tried a dress as a skirt yet, but you are definitely inspiring me to!! xox P
phiphisblog.com
I love doing this – works so well and extends your wardrobe even further! Great tutorial!! 🙂
http://www.pennypincherfashion.com
I love how you styled that top! I've never seen it done THAT way before. Thanks for the tip, Jean!
I have a little black and white, patterned dress that style as a dress, skirt, or blouse. I like to pair it with a white skirt or a purple top.
that's a smart way to tuck in – tie it first! i learned something new. kelly green is also great on you
Love the outfit, and the CLUTCH! It's creative and resourceful how you take inexpensive pieces and make them look so chic!
xoxo
Cassidy
http://norebeccaforayear.blogspot.com/