Your Dress Just Became A Top

Make Your Closet Do More

Next time you don’t know what to wear, turn your dress into a top. We really underestimate dresses. Everyone knows you can throw a tee or sweater over one and call it a skirt. That’s more predictable. But I find flipping it the other way is underrated. Layer a dress over pants or tuck it under a skirt and poof. Suddenly you’ve got a whole new outfit from something that was gathering dust buns in the back of your closet.

It’s one of my fav styling moves for seeing how many more outfits your closet can make.

A slip dress is the easiest starting point.
It layers cleanly and doesn’t compete with what’s underneath. Slip and bias cut styles skim the body, so they sit nicely over pants without adding bulk. They also tuck in easily and drape over the waistband with ease, especially if the fabric has a silky or smooth texture.

You can’t beat this slip dress. I’ve worn mine for nearly a decade and it’s one of my most worn pieces. I’m also wearing it in navy below and a short version in black further down. This sage color way is speaking to me.

The best part is the side and how it cascades down the leg.

Navy slip dress, old Nili pants but I like these better and i’m excited I found a full size run

If this feels too out there, try it with pieces in the same color family. Black over black always works and white over khaki or cream looks elevated.

If layering a dress over pants feels too bold, keep it all one color. Black on black always works. So does cream with white, or any neutrals would work.

The short version of the slip I’m wearing looks to be sold out in black, but how about mushroom?

I snagged this oversized shirtdress at a Balenciaga sample sale—don’t shoot. Something like this or this would work great, just don’t forget to roll your sleeves above the elbow! The cotton pants are from the brand Labo Art… not the drawstring ones i’m wearing but these are a crispy delightful looking pair. these or these look great. I just got the Margiela Tabi sling backs (mine weren’t on sale, so if you grab them now, just know I’m envious but supportive)

Same shirt dress as before (I also like this one but I’d swap the self-belt for a leather one to add contrast— or skip the belt altogether like in the photo above). I also really like this one if you’re vibing with khaki (one more time for the ppl in the back, roll your sleeves above your elbow!). With Chava Studio black pants, these are a lovely alt.

Here’s one you might not have tried, wearing a dress UNDER a skirt.
The top half of the dress becomes your shirt and the skirt does the styling work on the bottom. If the dress is too long, I’ll just tuck the extra fabric into the waistband of my underwear. Not glamorous, but it works.

Really stuffed my underwear with this one, but it isn’t uncomfortable and you can’t tell because of the a-line shape of the skirt:

The short-sleeve striped dress is old Wales Bonner. I really wear my clothes, most of this stuff I’ve had for 5+ years. I like the shape of this one a lot but I would swap the self-tie for a leather belt

I love this move with a full midi skirt or anything high-waisted. You’ll be surprised how many new outfits this unlocks.

Tried this old black Zimmerman skirt with the Wales Bonner Dress. I love how the stripe of the dress pokes through the lace, It’s a cool contrast. This skirt is a bit sheer so it works really well with a long shirt or dress layered underneath (or just a black boy short). Another good option for a pleated black cotton skirt if you want something cleaner

And if a little hemline from the dress peeks out underneath? Let it. The extra layer can actually look cool and feel intentional.

The striped dress is from an amazing brand out of India called Injiri. And the skirt is by Sea and I truly can’t get enough of it

The yellow dress is an old DVF sample (and I dont like it on its own so here is a good way to repurpose it). Not really the same, but how cute is this one? I found it while digging for a close yellow alternative. And the Bottega purple leather skirt of my dreams. I'm really trying not to “save” it and just wear it as often as I choose

Prada green slip dress, this one is a beauuut I think you’d be surprised how much wear a dress like that can have

One dress can do a lot more than you thought, amiright??!
It’s not about having more, it’s about seeing what you already have differently.

Love youssss,

Kelly