The Coat as a Dress: Styling a Look in 3 Ways

The Ritz Carlton, Marina del Rey, California

''The strength of a woman is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a woman is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes.'' - C. JoyBell C.

I’m always looking for multiple ways to style a new piece in my wardrobe. Spotting this fabulous coat on a recent shopping trip at Madewell, I snapped it off the clearance rack and ran home to see how I could make it work in my wardrobe. Like many of you, I grew up hitting the sale racks as well as discounters like Loehmann’s and the Dress Barn. I have had an eye for affordable fashion from a very young age and a passion for searching for the perfect treasure at the perfect price. Madewell has some of the best sales around and I try to hit the store during some of the additional discount sales. They offer a student discount as well, even on their sale merchandise, so remember to bring along your student ID. This coat sold out quickly so I’ve linked similar styles here and here. I’m creating a newsletter to share with you my incredible affordable finds before they sell out.

One of my favorite and more unexpected ways of wearing this coat is to style it as a dress. I paired it with a pair of traditional pumps from Stuart Weitzman and a colorful red clutch from Banana Republic. I wouldn’t hesitate to play around with this look by adding a different clutch in a vivid shade of yellow or a vibrant blue. I would add a classic scarf around the neck as this look also lends itself to old Hollywood glamour. This is actually one of my favorite ways to extend the life of an awesome coat. That’s the best part about fashion; the combinations are truly endless and the best part is creating your own rules. Another easy way to switch up a look is a change of accessories. Swap out the bright red clutch with a fun multicolored one also from Banana Republic.

So, add a classic coat to your collection and look for creative ways to style a look. Put your own unique touch on it. Don’t be afraid to show a bit of your personality through your personal style. The world responds to the way we look, our confidence, our attitude…but most importantly, people respond to the way we FEEL on the INSIDE. True beauty can only be found within yet fashion has a way of instantly changing the way we FEEL. Always remember to put on your INFIT before your OUTFIT. Show the world how you FEEL. Show the world YOU. A beautiful YOU!

What’s your favorite way to style a coat? Is this a look you would love to try? I absolutely love hearing from you and your favorite styling secrets!