Summer is here which means wedding season is underway! When deciding on an outfit to wear to a wedding, I like to choose something that can be reworn for other occasions. However, sometimes the dress code calls for something that you wouldn't normally wear. So in that spirit, I want to talk about dressing for a black tie event without spending big bucks on an outfit that will collect dust in the back of your closet.

Unless you have lots of black tie weddings and galas on the calendar, the price per wear of an appropriately formal outfit can be very high.To be perfectly frank, even with the suggestions in this post it is likely that the price per wear will be much higher than you normally would choose to spend. 

First off, before you go shopping at all, double check the dress code and see if it is black tie required or optional. For a black tie optional event, you can probably scrounge up a great party dress from the back of your closet. Black tie required pretty much means that you will have to don a full-length gown, because the exceptions to that rule are finnicky and not worth the effort to navigate.

There's a pervasive myth that bridesmaids can easily rewear the dresses that they were told to buy for a wedding. My favorite part of that myth is that floor-length dresses can gain a new life as a cocktail dress if the former bridesmaid just cuts off a foot or two of fabric and hems it. I don't have any statistics on this, but I can guess that what generally happens is that those dresses mostly just get abandoned in the backs of closets until a shortage of storage space sends them to the thrift store or the trash. 

My point here is that you or one of your friends may have a floor-length gown that can be repurposed for your event. Add your personality to the dress with statement jewelry and a unique purse. Yes, it may still look like a bridesmaid dress, but if any of the other guests notice, it will probably be to note your ingenuity. Even if the dress requires alterations to make you feel confident in it, your wallet will still be coming out ahead.

When dressing for a black tie wedding, it can be easy to get caught up in the dress code and feel like you need to spend more than you would otherwise be comfortable with. But just because the wedding will be formal and lavish does not mean that you need to pour your yearly clothing budget into dressing for it. Rent a dress, borrow a friend's dress, or become a sleuth of the sales rack so that you can find an option within your comfort zone. 

Spring may be coming and going in bursts, but wedding season has arrived and isn't going anywhere for a few months. But before the actual weddings, there are a whole slew of parties to attend. If you are a guest, you can reuse your outfits with some creative accessorizing, but if you are the bride, you might want something special for each occasion. However, your pre-wedding dresses do not have to only be worn once. That's generally the fate of your wedding dress and you really don't need more single-wear pieces taking up space in your closet. 

You should also feel free to throw out all expectations of what a bride should wear if there is something completely different that makes you feel fantastic! Head over to your favorite stores and try on anything that catches your eye. Choosing something because you love it and not solely because it is appropriate for the occasion means that you are more likely to actually wear it again. 

What other style issues do you face during wedding season? Share your thoughts in the comments and I will be sure to answer them so you can look and feel great on the dance floor.

When you get a wedding invitation in the mail, there are lots of things that need to be done: accommodations and travel arrangements, choosing the perfect gift, and of course, deciding what to wear. Since dress codes are more of a dress spectrum (and a vague one at that), it is tempting to just wear a variation of what everyone else will be wearing. A dress that hits just above the knee, usually in a solid color or a subdued pattern, heels that are much too high to dance in for hours, and a pashmina to keep the evening breeze at bay. While I love all of those pieces, I don't love wearing the same formulaic outfit over and over. Fashion should be fun and when you have an occasion to dress up you should not be limited! Wedding season is winding down with the summer, but you may still have a few left to attend. And depending on how packed your social calendar is, you may be running out of solid colored, knee-length dresses to wear. 

I am not by any means suggesting that your footwear does not matter, but rather that because it is part of your outfit you should choose shoes that you can last all night in. Metallic flats have an extra bit of pizzazz just based on their color, but there are plenty of other ways to make a statement, such as perforation (such as the pair pictured above), contrast coloring, shape. Look for a style with clean lines and stay away from loafers (which look business-y) and thick rubber soles (which look casual). Peep-toe flats are also a fun option because then you can choose a matching or contrasting nail polish color for your toes! You'll get to dance all night and not suffer from sore feet the next morning which is the perfect stylish success.

I love shopping for new dresses, but during wedding season it can be a little overwhelming. Imagine you are invited to three weddings this summer, as well as the accompanying bridal showers and rehearsal dinners. You now have a total of nine events that require you to dress up (in varying degrees). Wouldn't it be nice if you could wear the same dress to several different events?

Looking for a few more options? Here are some other dresses I love that will be a hit at parties that you are invited to: