OOTD: A Little Versatility

Photography by Cassidy Hopkins

Everyone needs a dress they can wear for every occasion. I especially find this true as someone with a limited budget and closet space. Most of what I own is versatile so that I get the most bang for my buck. It doesn't make sense for me to spend money on something I'll only be able to wear a couple days a year when I could use that same money on something I could wear whenever I want.

Although I can wear most of my closet for most occasions, this dress especially stands out as something I can wear whenever. I've worn it to graduation parties, on several dates, to work, and now to Coney Island. It's simultaneously appropriate enough for a professional environment and cute enough to wear just for fun.

The most important thing to look for when shopping to create a versatile closet is whether or not you like the piece. No matter how sophisticated or professional you think a piece is, if you don't like it, you won't wear it. Having items in your closet that you don't wear is just a waste of money and space, both of which are valuable commodities. I, for instance, was drawn to this dress because of the color and fabric. I'd been looking for a white lace dress for months, and this dress fit that description.

Once you've found something that you like, try it on and make sure it's appropriate for a work environment. My workplace has very lax dress code, but I still like to make sure I own some things that cover me for less casual professional occasions. The lace of this dress is an entirely separate layer from the solid piece underneath, so I can wear it with a different white slip that is longer and has a higher neck.

Comfort is really key in picking easy-to-wear pieces. No matter how cute or professional something is, if it's uncomfortable or painful in any way, you're less likely to pull it out of your closet in the morning. When you're trying something on, walk around and sit down to see if anything rides up or itches or anything. Those extra 2 minutes you spend in the dressing room could save you hours of earned money.

One thing to keep in mind as you shop is whether or not the pieces you're picking out go with each other. My closet has a strong black/white/pastel/olive green color scheme. This white dress fits perfectly into that color scheme, so I can wear it with a lot of other items that I already own. Because it's so easy to make an outfit with this piece, I'm more likely to wear it more often. Of course, there's always room for stand-out pieces, but your whole closet can't be made out of pieces that don't go together if you're on a budget.

How do you shop if you're on a budget with limited closet space? Comment below to let me know; I'm always looking for ways to maximize my wardrobe!

OOTD: Spring Layers

Before I moved here, I was so excited for spring in NYC. Blossoming trees and flowers! Walking my dog through Central Park! Finally putting my winter coats away! Spoiler alert: spring in NYC doesn't exist. It's nearly May and there have been a grand total of 7 nice days so far in 2017. I even had to drag one of my winter coats out last week. It was incredibly soul-crushing.

This spring, I've been relying on layers almost every day. This outfit has a grand total of 4 layers, not including the sweater I packed in my sister's backpack. The trickiest part about layering is doing it without all the wrinkles and bulges. My trick there is to layer thin, relatively well-fitting pieces. You'll still get a little bit of a bulge where everything meets, but it's not so bad.

OOTD: Too Hot

I love going home for the weekend because I make my photographer sister take pictures of me. It was so unbearably hot in Bend the weekend I was home that I couldn't even stand to wear this lace kimono for the longer than the length of this shoot! I usually feel self-conscious in this color (maybe I have witch undertones?), but it matches this top so I decided to put aside my self-judgements and rock it anyway.

OOTD: Lace & Leather

I bought this dress at Nordstrom Rack as something to wear to work at my new job at the Flagship Nordstrom in downtown Seattle. The irony that I now receive a discount at Nordstrom Rack is not lost on me. I've been looking for an interesting twist on a lace dress (my last attempted purchase is for sale on my Poshmark because it ended up being way too small), and the ruffles on the top definitely fulfill the interesting aspect. I wore it over a longer white dress instead of the shift it came with to give it the cool layered look.

Merry Christmas!

I may be Jewish, but I still love the holiday season. More than anything, I love getting dressed up and being with the people I love.

OOTD: Blue Lace

Emily got this dress in Ireland and gifted it to me when she was going through her closet at the end of the year. The skater dress style is so Emily, but not something I have a lot of experience with. She owns, like, at least a dozen skater dresses, but this is my first. I wore it to see a local production of Avenue Q when I was in Bend over the summer. I particularly loved my makeup in this look.

Fashionista Friday: Floral Lace

Photos via: CollegeFashionista, The Beauty Bybel, Atlantic // Pacific, Sweenee Style, Girl With Curves, and Hapa Time.

Photos via: Wendy's Lookbook, Fresh Fizzle, Pink Avenue, Micah Gianneli, CollegeFashionista, and Lovely Pepa.

Lace and floral are two of the sweetest trends out there. Why not combine the two, either as floral patterned lace or pairing lace with floral, for the sweetest look possible? Read more about how to wear lace in my latest post for CollegeFashionista, and peruse these pictures for inspiration.

Fashionista Friday: Lace on Lace

My post for CollegeFashionista this week focuses on making a classic spring texture, lace, wearable for this part of the year between winter and spring. Layering lace makes your look fun but still complex enough to wear in February. Read my post to learn more, and check out some of my favorite lacy pieces below.

Holiday Wear Inspiration

'Tis the season for holiday celebrations, and the monotonous Instagram and Facebook pictures that come along with any excuse to dress up. If you're looking to set yourself apart from the rest of the formal holiday crowd, check out these tips to rework your holiday attire.

Black is the perfect color for an evening dress. Take your look one step further by adding some serious texture with lace all-over or even some well-placed lace overlay.

Sparkles for the new year are, well, so last year. Dress in one of the sultriest colors and you'll stand out even more from the crowd!

There are so many nights of Hanukkah (happy 2nd night, by the way!) that it's hard to dress up for all 8. Go a little more casual with a full high-waisted navy skirt. Dress it up or down, depending on the formality of your family.

Green is a classic Christmas color, which is nifty as this emerald green is simply perfect for winter. Don't just go with a silky green dress: step out of your comfort zone and dress up silk trousers or a silk top.

Sure: as a Jew, I don't know a lot about Christmas. But from the minimal experience I have had with the holiday, I know that a lot of the day is just lounging around with family. Stay comfortable but ready for pictures in a magnificent oversized sweater dress.