One Piece, Four Ways: Cooperative Black Dress


Like most bloggers, I'm a big fan of remixing. Being on the always exciting broke college student budget, I often have to make do with what I already own rather than buying new pieces. As I'm sure you all can relate, this usually means getting creative and reworking items so that they feel new each time they're worn. While I love seeing remix posts of different ways bloggers have worn an item, I wanted to do something a little bit different and show you four new ways to wear something. I'm hoping that this will not only inspire me to get more creative with my clothes and my wallet, but help some of you as well. For today' post, I thought it only made sense to start with a little black dress.

Item: Button down black dress
Where: The brand is Cooperative from Urban Outfitters
Cost: Free, I received it in a swap


1. If you scroll through the pages of my blog, you'll often find me in outfits that consist of a shirt or sweater layered over a dress. Another look I love, even though I don't do it enough, is how shirt look layered under dresses. A striped top is usually my favorite way to do it, but I'm a fan of any pattern layered under a solid colored dress.


2. I've learned that the reason why I own more dresses than any other article of clothing is because they're so versatile. Layered under a skirt here, the sweetheart neckline of the dress stands out more as it's instantly transformed into a top.


3. With a simple black dress, it sometimes becomes second nature to grab something colorful to pair with it in an effort to make the outfit more interesting. I've always loved pairing neutrals together though, and I especially love "breaking the rules" and putting black and brown together.


4. Lastly, my trusted knotted button down + dress combo never fails. The pattern of this top goes perfectly with a black skirt, and it's almost a crime to cover up those pockets on this dress.

I hope you enjoyed this! Since I started with such a simple piece, the possibilities were endless. It's interesting to see how I went for stripes or purple tones in all of the looks, even in my effort to make them different. Look forward to more of these posts soon featuring some items that require a little bit more creativity. 

26 comments

  1. I LOVE how versatile you made this dress! All the ways you wore it are super cute and so you. I think I love 2 and 3 the most. Have a great weekend!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love remixing, it definitely is the best way to get the most out of a piece. And this dress is super versatile!! I love all the ways you've styled it :)
    xJennaD

    ReplyDelete
  3. Can you get ANY cuter? For reals. Your smile is so contagious!
    This is so amazing by the way. I don't even recognize that it has the same central piece because all of the outfits look so unique! Good work.

    xoxo
    Bethany

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ooh how cute! I love all four ways! I need to do that stuff more often with my dresses
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is genius! What a great inspiration for those traveling and such too-all you need to bring is one dress and a few other items and you have nearly a weeks worth of outfits! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That is a VERY cool idea!
    Thank you for sharing,I love them all, but the neutral style is my favourite!
    Jen@madeinminch

    ReplyDelete
  7. i love the second look the most! i have never in my life thought of layering a skirt over a dress. man have i been missing out!! you are just the cutest!

    xo

    hannah
    www.bemorethrifty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this post! Remixing outfits is one of my favorite things to do. I love the idea of layering things under dresses :]

    ReplyDelete
  9. LOVE all of this! Seriously your closet...I want! I can't wait to see more of one piece in four ways!
    Much love,
    Sara

    ReplyDelete
  10. Agreed, dresses are definitely the most versatile. Top, skirt, or dress, they'll work! I love how you demonstrated this :)
    The black dress you have is perfect for all the layering you did too! This is definitely inspiring Elana, I'm looking forward to more remixed posts

    Trendy Teal

    ReplyDelete
  11. You have such adorable style, I always have such a hard time wearing dresses as skirt/tops. It never looks as good on me as it does you here.

    ReplyDelete
  12. i love how you can take this dress and have the ideas to wear it so many more ways.. i need to do this more with my clothes! i really love the "with neutrals" look, my favorite!


    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is awesome! I love how you remixed this piece, especially number 2. Wearing dresses and tops is my favorite!

    xo

    Ashley

    Southern (California) Belle

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for leaving such a darling comment on my blog!
    You are so gorgeous and your dress so absolutely stunning! I love how versatile it is and the different ways you styled it!

    Have the best weekend ever,
    -Kati

    ReplyDelete
  15. Outfits 1 + 2 are my faves - love the layered ways!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Beautiful outfits! It's perfect for summer! The colors are very nice too! :)
    You've got the a good sense at pairing accessories too :)

    xx
    Adeline

    ReplyDelete
  17. Very creative! I love it as a top. x

    Melissa
    http://wildflwrchild.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. First of all, I love all of your remixes for this dress. What great ways to get a lot of wear out of something without getting bored. Secondly, I was totally thinking about doing something similar with that top I ordered from your shop my closet because it looks cute with so many things! How funny that I would see you do a post like this! You are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I just found your blog via Introvert's Introduction and love it! You're style is so wonderful! P.S. -- Following you via Bloglovin!
    ~Sara
    Sincerely, Sara

    ReplyDelete
  20. Loving your blog! Will follow via Bloglovin

    www.thischarmingwanderer.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. So adorable Elana! You really showed the great ways to remix!

    xoxo,
    Laura
    http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Elana, this is great! I love the way you've laid out this remix, and of course all the combos you made! I am such (almost too much) of a fan of wearing a shirt over a dress, but now I'm determined to try wearing a shirt UNDER. I think my favorite look here is the dress under a skirt, it makes an adorable top! Seriously, though, great work, I loved reading this!

    perfectly priya

    ReplyDelete
  24. Yay remixing! All the ways you remixed this dress are very cute. I love the striped top layered underneath. I really like how you wore it as a top too. I always love seeing dresses worn as tops but I haven't done it myself! Probably because it's usually so hot here and I don't want to think about another layer. Though it couldn't be any worse than wearing a cardigan, so I make no sense.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great reminder to look for different ways to remix items. I love it!

    ReplyDelete