A Maximalist Evening Outfit (That I Adapted For Daytime) #iwillwearwhatilike

Minimalism is not my strong point. Ask me to pile on the maximalism and I’m there like a shot.

[Reading time: 4 mins]

Last week I attended an evening event in London, and I had to find an outfit to wear up on the train, an outfit for the evening and an outfit to wear on the train back home next morning. IN WINTER.

I find this sort of dressing a bit challenging (though one I relish) – aaargh what to wear when you require outfits to suit all those needs AND need everything to fit in a carry-on?

Luckily I do this sort of trip a fair bit in my job so I’ve got the whole daytime-to-evening-to-daytime dressing thing down to a fine art. For me, it’s all about wearing really versatile pieces.

 

Disclosure: This blog uses affiliate links (at no cost to you) and any items listed as* were gifted within the last 12 months. This post is not sponsored by any brand(s) mentioned. Full disclosure

 

RECREATE THE LOOK:

 

I’ve started with the evening look as that was the one I was most excited about: this is what I wore to attend the launch of the wonderful Fantasie It’s Who I Am campaign that I’m proud to be part of (have a read of what it’s all about here – we’re in the March issue of Woman & Home magazine and I’ll be featured more in – I think – the April issue).

I wore the fabulous mixed prints shirt I bought in the Hawes & Curtis sale a couple of weeks ago (the neck tie is included) with my go-to cropped plum trousers* and – just for a change from the usual pointed-toe heels that you always see – my ‘Crocodile Rock’ platform boots. I caught a taxi there so didn’t have to walk far in them, though they ARE comfy for heels.

So far so good… then – accessories!

I amped up the maximalism with pearl hoop earrings and coordinating velvet and pearl headband (the colour picked out the brown in the shirt’s pattern and that of the boots), chucked on a few gold rings and carried my oversized burgundy box bag (similar).

Maximalism, yes. Though it could have been extreme maximalism if the floral trousers I’d originally earmarked to wear with the shirt had fitted me. The stage at which I wondered whether the outfit was a bit plain (PLAIN!!) without the floral trousers was when I realised I should give myself a good talking to…

Would you say you’re more of a minimalist or a maximalist dresser? Tell me in the comments!

(Don’t forget to scroll down to see how I tweaked the outfit to create a comfy daytime/travelling-on-the-train look)

XOXO

P.S. Do add your outfits to this week’s link up – and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured in my bi-monthly Women Who Wear What They Like post!

Evening look:
Shirt: Hawes & Curtis
Trousers: JD Williams*
Boots: Asos
Bag: House of Fraser (similar)
Earrings: eBay
Headband: Asos

Above: Me and the other four ladies from the Fantasie campaign, L-R: Sam Chapman (yes, really!), Charlotte Broadbent, Karen Williams and Lauren Shepherd

 

The daytime version

So, how do you create a daytime outfit from an evening outfit when you’re on the road/on a train/flying – and need to travel light?

My secret is in the bottoms (bottoms as in trousers or skirt!). That’s the one thing I make sure works for both outfits. Trousers are bulky things to pack so just one pair makes the most sense to me. I also make sure to take just one coat that works for both day and night, so it’s got to be practical AND stylish IMO.

Onto the coat in a minute; first, the bones of the daytime outfit…

My beige M&S flatforms (similar / same M&S style in black) have been very good to me, walking me all over London on many occasions. I wore these on the way there and on the way back – the platform boots went into my carry-on and I stuffed them with my clean underwear, t-shirt for bed, etc.

The cashmere poncho (similar) was the triple threat of accessories: it served as a warm cover-up over my outfit once my coat had been taken off (for both on the train and for breakfast next morning), but outside I brought it around and off my shoulders to be styled as a scarf with my coat (details below).

And thirdly, I always, ALWAYS take a big scarf or throw on a train journey so that I have something to rest my neck on to make light snoozing a bit comfier.

Above: the outside/travelling version…!

The two-tone leopard coat is Zara AW12 and the fur-trimmed sweatshirt you can just see is also Zara – although I wouldn’t buy fast fashion from Zara/Primark/H&M, etc. anymore, of those pieces I have bought from Zara in the past I’m very glad that they were good quality. I’ve had LOADS of wear out both of them, in fact I’ve featured the coat in my 5 Ways to Wear below. It’s a classic and I’m actually really glad I bought it.

The coat and scarf/poncho also worked well as my cover-up for the evening event. It’s a warm, lined coat – perfect for February. I also carried my dependable orange leather Hobbs tote (similar) as my daytime bag. The burgundy box bag slotted inside and didn’t really take up any extra room (good job as it wouldn’t fit in my carry-on with my makeup, toiletries, boots, etc.).

And that’s pretty much it! How I adapt a daytime to an evening to a travel outfit – and fit it all into a carry-on. If you’re not a “travel-light” kinda gal (like I’m definitely not) then I hope this helps!

 

RECREATE THE LOOK:

Coat: Zara AW12 (this one and this one are my favourite alternatives)
Poncho/scarf: Hope Fashion (similar)
Sweater: Zara (similar)
Trousers: JD Williams*
Shoes: Marks & Spencer (similar)
Tights: Old, unknown (love these tights and these knee highs)
Tote bag: Hobbs (similar)
Headband: Asos

 

5 ways to wear a leopard print coat…

Here are just some of the ways I’ve worn my leopard print coat over the years so you can see the different ways it can be styled:

Original posts: Top middle / Top right / Bottom middle / Bottom right (see also this outfit and this outfit with the same coat)

Pin for later!

 

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