62 Comments
User's avatar
Natalia Herrera's avatar

I do love this concept, and we should all have this in our minds, every time we buy something new. I have a wedding in February, and the first thing I thought, was a dress I could wear again in the summer or tone it down. Great post!

Kelly Williams's avatar

Thank you friend!! I once heard the advice that anytime you see a great dress you should buy it for the next event so we aren’t shopping for a specific event. I haven’t quite got there but I love the concept!

Natalia Herrera's avatar

Yes, my friend told me exactly the same thing! There's a brand I turn to exclusively for big events, and that's Reformation. All my dresses from them I've worn multiple times to different weddings. This particular dress is also going through a transformation, my tailor is reworking it so I can wear it more casually. I've already worn it six times to weddings, so it's definitely done its job! For the February wedding, I'm looking at Reformation again. They're honestly so versatile and easy to dress up or down

Pasqual Allen's avatar

This so good. So enjoyable.

Kelly Williams's avatar

Thank you 🥹

Pasqual Allen's avatar

You’re welcome. Love your taste.

Tess Sullivan's avatar

Deeply obsessed with this mentality, thought process, and concept Kelly! You did such a good job articulating it. And thank you for the shout out!! So sweet.

Kelly Williams's avatar

Gah! So happy to liked it!! I saw your note and thought- THIS IS WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT!!

Noelia Santana's avatar

Love what you did with the red shirt! I need to try mine with a thin belt too!

Kelly Williams's avatar

I was experimenting and it totally paid off

Noelia Santana's avatar

Love it!

Stephanie Johnson's avatar

I love this and could definitely be trying to make my casual pieces work more for formal events and vis versa! The red button up with the red tie belt is SO good

Kelly Williams's avatar

Girl, THANK YOU! That was an experimental outfit that had me concerned about whether or not it would look any good!

I Look, You Buy's avatar

Love each graphic more than the nexttttt. And the remainder I needed to get back to buying more repeatable and multi purpose staples

Kelly Williams's avatar

Something pieces are too good to pass up, but I’m trying to buy pieces with range!!

Madeline Rose Nachbar's avatar

This scratched the exact part of my brain that loves fashion not just as “shopping,” but as storytelling! Love it, love it.

Kelly Williams's avatar

Fashion as storytelling!! That is BEAUTIFULLY put and- thank you- for the enormous compliment.

Julia Norberg's avatar

Another great piece Kelly! It's funny because here on Substack it feels so natural to wear grey pinstripe pants to work with a blazer and then to the beach with flipflops - but when I do in real life, a lot of people are genuinely shocked that I *dare* step over the line of how an item of clothing is "supposed" to be worn. It always takes me by surprise hearing friends or family make a comment like "oh wow, flipflops to Uni?". Like, yes? Why wouldn't I wear my clothes wherever the hell I want?😂❤️

Kelly Williams's avatar

Haha “why wouldn’t I wear my clothes wherever?” YES!! Because my life is so casual I get a lot of “ooh you look fancy” when I’m wearing trousers at school pick up. I want to remind people that trousers can basically be pajama pants!

Reva's avatar

Thank you for the mention Kelly!! And I loved what you said in the comments about buying a dress before you need it. My mom taught me that young, and I can confidently say that in 37 years, I’ve never had to panic shop for an event because of it!

Kelly Williams's avatar

This was a major mindset shift for me! I bought a beautiful Attersee dress last year because it was lovely (well priced) and I knew I’d wear it eventually. Now it’s the dress for my sister’s wedding 💁‍♀️

Reva's avatar

That is the BEST!!!

Jordyn Sharfe's avatar

the thing you always and consistently do for me is put words to the things we all think about. It makes it concrete and so much easier to refer back to as a concept. You always show us the way ♥️

Kelly Williams's avatar

This might be the best compliment I could receive. Thank you, thank you, thank you for this.

Jennifer Klee's avatar

As always, you've given me much to think about! <3

Kelly Williams's avatar

So happy to hear this!

Sigrid's avatar

I was just thinking about this, so this is perfect timing! I've used the 3 outfits rule for a long time, and now it's time to think about range as well.

Kelly Williams's avatar

I’m so, so glad you liked it!!

Caitlin Cavagnolo's avatar

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. Working a corporate job I've always kind of segregated my wardrobe into in office and not in office and earlier this year I was like WHY CAITLIN WHY. The work clothes have range especially when paired with non-office pieces. Unlocked so much! Made my more casual wear feel more dressed up which is how I prefer to dress!!

Kelly Williams's avatar

I love to hear this so much Caitlin because your wardrobe has incredible pieces and I feel like mixing casual and elevated is something you would absolutely crush.

FabList's avatar

Love how you show the six ways to wear the red button-down shirt!

Kelly Williams's avatar

Thank you so much!!

Jaqueline's avatar

Reva's advice may seem simple, but it was a life changer for me. I could easily envision three outfits using a new item, but trying them on adds another layer of insight. Not everything fits the way you imagined... I also love Angie's post and how she showcases the range of her pieces. The red shirt with the rope looks so good!

Kelly Williams's avatar

YES! Exactly! I’m so guilty of thinking “oh yeah I have everything for that imaginary outfit” when, in fact, I would need to buy much more to actually make the new piece work.

Maurene Goo's avatar

The red rope belt with red shirt is just so good here. And bless you for alerting me to the Violet Grey sale! I can't wait for all of us to have the same delicious hair.

Kelly Williams's avatar

YES! I will take 20% off that hair perfume, especially since I would have bought it full-priced anyways😂