How to: Get dressed up, quick!
Where strategy meets style
content marketing, strategy, personal branding, style, cincinnati, fashion, photography, midwest, creative
2120
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-2120,single-format-standard,stockholm-core-2.0.2,select-theme-ver-9.6.1,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,side_area_uncovered,,qode_menu_,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.5,vc_responsive

How to: Get dressed up, quick!

Smack dab in the middle of the holiday season, we’re all bound to be invited to a few parties. I usually like to take time to plan and prepare for such events, but last weekend things went a bit differently. I’ll present a possible scenario* in the hope that my experience helps you.

You may be spending a cozy afternoon swathed in designer cashmere** when you receive a call from your Significant Other:

“Baby, I forgot XX party is today! It starts in half an hour. Hurry up and get ready, I’ll be there in 15 minutes.”

You might calmly say*** “Darling, I advised you to put that on your calendar so that you wouldn’t forget! Nevertheless, I shall be ready when you arrive.”

Perhaps you serenely set aside the important project you’ve been working on**** and immediately select the ideal party look from your well-organized wardrobe,***** then spend the remaining time skillfully perfecting your hair and makeup before emerging from your winter cocoon like a dewy, flawless Venus.******

Work with what you got

Or, in case things don’t work out exactly as above, you can dress up the trusty jeans+tee combo with a few party-worthy pieces:

Gap jeans; Old Navy tee; vintage jacket, necklace, and ring; Kaneesha earrings; River Island bag; Colin Stuart boots

It’s as easy as adding:

  • A fancy jacket or blazer. Look for materials like satin, velvet, and faux fur.
  • Statement shoes. This is where those “I’ll never wear these but I love ’em” shoes you bought on a whim get some play.
  • One or two dramatic accessories
  • Lipstick

…and you’re ready to go in 10-15 minutes!

Now, Real Talk:

*Yep, this ish actually happened last weekend
**jeans and a tee I’ve had since I worked at Old Navy during college
***shout an impressive series of expletives
****scarfing down multiple packets of fruit snacks while watching episodes of Peep Show on my laptop
*****Stare in wild-eyed panic at the haphazard jumble of clothing in the closet for a good 10 minutes before grabbing something–anything!–in a fit of frustration.
******race down the stairs and out the door, trying not to trip over my feet while applying the lipstick I thought I lost, but was really at the bottom of my luggage-sized purse.

The things I have to put up with…

10 Comments
  • Alterations Needed

    December 20, 2010 at 4:49 pm

    Love this! I’m really liking your time elapse, tutorial posts. More please! =)

  • courtnee

    December 20, 2010 at 7:38 pm

    Ha!Boys:)
    You look fab and I agree with previous commenter-love the phot tutorials!

    ps-you reminded me I have a similar j acket I need to unearth from the closet.

  • Vivian

    December 21, 2010 at 7:56 am

    Ahaha awesome, I’m in love with your easy-dressing posts! You love jackets, don’t you? They’re always an ace in the hole when it comes to look like you actually have been dressing for a hour ahah XD

    • tamia

      December 29, 2010 at 2:11 pm

      @Vivian I do love jackets! I have an entire rolling rack reserved just for blazers & jackets and it’s PACKED.

  • caramelnaps25

    December 21, 2010 at 11:03 am

    The boots! Still need those, lol.

  • Fajr | Stylish Thought

    December 21, 2010 at 2:17 pm

    Lol, I love the legend at the end. You pulled together an effortless, stylish look and they’ll be none the wiser to how many fruit snacks you ate 😉

    • tamia

      December 29, 2010 at 2:07 pm

      @Fajr Fooled ’em! HA!

  • Dee

    December 21, 2010 at 2:20 pm

    I agree with the comment above…love the legend- hilarious! And love these easy dress posts…you always pull it together fabulously!

  • Pingback:#FollowFriday « MasqueMagazine

    January 7, 2011 at 3:25 pm
  • faux fur

    July 20, 2011 at 7:24 am

    Thanks for this fashion tip,you really have a nice fashion sense and turn the simple one into a more fabulous look.