81 Comments
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Angharad Jones's avatar

"Don't lose yourself just because you got invited to a wedding" - I needed this reminder! I'm heading to a wedding in a couple of weeks, and almost bought a dress that was so "not me" but very "wedding guest". This has given me the nudge I need to wear the top-and-trousers combo I actually want to wear.

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Kelly Williams's avatar

YES!! This comment really makes my day because it’s totally the heart of the post. And- FWIW- I’m obviously very into the top & trouser wedding guest outfit!

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Jennifer Klee's avatar

I love this formula. Definitely trying for upcoming middle school graduation at a church, on a Monday, with burgers after 🤪

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Good gravy!! I really want to hear what you end up wearing because that sounds like a complicated dress code 😂

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Lindsay Sword's avatar

I really loved this! You explain it so well, and I love breaking an outfit down into these three categories. I totally agree about having something in your closet that was bought for ONE event. I’ve made that mistake too many times to count, and I rarely rewear. (Usually because a similar event probably includes the same people in my life.) happy Memorial Day!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Yes! Totally. I hold on to this dress I bought for my SILs wedding but when I wore it for Easter brunch everyone pointed it out bc they had all seen me in it at the wedding!

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Sita's avatar

Love the idea of having a safety blanket item in an outfit. It translates even to daily dressing. The only event in the ones you listed I go to regularly is the country club and I’m always looking for cute comfortable clothes to wear there. That white dress is so cute. Also another event to make an outfit formula for is a first date, for us single ladies 😉

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Oooh I love that idea!! What would your answer be for a first date using the formula?!

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Sita's avatar

Oh gosh I need to think about it in your terms. I think my safety blanket are the Brenn sandals from Lamour des Pieds. They look cute and date-worthy but I can walk in them for a long time so I can wear them to dinner but if we suddenly decided to take a stroll after I’m prepared.

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Just looked up those shoes and I co-sign that they meet the assignment!

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Camilla's avatar

Love love looooooove this ♥️

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Kelly Williams's avatar

😘😘😘

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Maura Farrell's avatar

This is the most amazing “follow up notes from the meeting.”

I loved the live and this gives me even more to consider. My June event calendar is less terrifying now!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Haha I’m nothing if not a note taker!! I’m glad you liked this and hopefully it will help with your busy June 😉

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Ifrah's avatar

Love this! The “safety blanket” piece totally resonates. I’m definitely rethinking my one-time-use panic buys after this. Thanks for the formula!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Yay!! It means so much that you liked this. When Rachel (of Hey Mrs Solomon) used the term “safety blanket” I immediately knew what those are in my closet!

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Traci Landy's avatar

I love a good formula. I would wear each and every of these looks! The piece that really jumped out to me is that gorgeous $20 (what!!!) Etsy clutch!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

RIGHT?! I could fill my closet with vintage beaded bags/clutches from Etsy!

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Hey Mrs. Solomon on Style's avatar

This was so much fun to do with YOU, Kelly! And I love this crystal clear followup. XOXO

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Kelly Williams's avatar

It was such an incredible treat to do with you!

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Sogole Kane's avatar

YESSSSS to a formula and you and Rachel nailed it with this one. Saving this puppy to refer to OFTEN this summer. Now I just need somewhere fun to go….😄

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Kelly Williams's avatar

That’s what I was saying; then I got invited to a backyard cookout and I laughed because I already have an outfit for that thanks to this!

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Maria Hyde's avatar

I’ve been saving this one until I had more time to digest because I knew it would be good! I think this is my favourite formula you’ve ever written about!! I love the simplicity of it and how easy it is to remember if I’m feeling stuck on event dressing. I totally agree with buying something you love when you see it even if you’re not sure where/when you’re going to wear it - every time I’ve done this, I ended up wearing the piece so much more than when I’ve bought something for a specific event. Loved this so much!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Oh yay!! This message made my night. I had to go to my daughter’s swim meet today and it was encouraged to wear a red shirt. I was thankful for this formula because I treated the red shirt as my “occasion specific” and then built around it!

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OFELIA's avatar

A super easy formula to follow!! I'm going to go thinking about what each piece is next time I have to be somewhere for something specific that requires somewhat of a dress code.

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Kelly Williams's avatar

I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how it has guided me on a daily basis too; thinking about what I have going on a random Tuesday and applying similar thinking!

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OFELIA's avatar

oh that’s a great point!

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wantd's avatar

LOVE THIS! Agree with you on when you find something you love, you must buy it. My friend said to me 3 years ago “always buy the dress” and I still can’t get it out of my mind!!!

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Kelly Williams's avatar

YES! “Just buy the dress” should be on merch!

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FINDS By Ginny's avatar

Ohhhh this is great! I love the formulas. Thank you for breaking it down so well! 😍

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Kelly Williams's avatar

I’m so glad you liked it. I’ve noticed that I’m thinking about it for all events; I had my daughter’s swim meet tonight and getting dressed for it was sort of a mini example of the formula.

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FINDS By Ginny's avatar

I’m going to use it this weekend!!

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Kaye Bassey's avatar

this outfit formula is actually genius. you're on to something for sure

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Ah! Kaye, thank you! It’s been on repeat in my mind since HMS and I discovered it.

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Elin Strong's avatar

This is such a brilliant formula and an instant save! Now I just need a beachy clam bake to crash STAT so I have an excuse to wear those exact pieces you picked out for event 3.

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Kelly Williams's avatar

Right?! I pretty much convinced MYSELF that I could use a paracord necklace 😂

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