Style Formula: One & Done!

Welcome to Dressed for My Day! Today we’re continuing with our Oh So Pulled Together mini-series, where we’re learning how to create interesting and chic outfits consistently. Yesterday I began sharing seven style formulas that we can use so we’ll always look pulled together. You can check out Formula #1 here. But first let’s check out Formula #2, One & Done!

Style Formula #2 – One & Done!

I bet you already know this formula, but I’d be negligent to skip it. One & Done! is simply using one piece to create an outfit, adding only accessories to complete the look. This formula hinges on one dress or jumpsuit that has enough beautiful and/or interesting character to be a one garment show.

The keys to successfully creating a One & Done outfit are:

• Select a dress or jumpsuit that fits the occasion, so that it doesn’t have to be dressed up or down with additional pieces.

• Select a dress or jumpsuit in a color or colors that make you shine. You don’t want to be overwhelmed by the one piece.

• Make sure the One & Done garment fits you the way it’s supposed to. Fit is key here. The J.Jill dress I’m sharing here is a loose-fitting tiered maxi dress. So it’s supposed to just hang and have a very blousy, casual fit. Still, I sized down to a small because I didn’t want to get lost in the dress.

• Your One & Done does not have to be a “power dress.” It can still be soft and feminine or very relaxed and casual. One & Done simply means that the one piece creates a total look on its own.

• You absolutely can accessorize your One & Done with a bold piece of jewelry or two, or with a colorful scarf or striking shoes. But for a more pared down look that will never fail, choose beautiful neutral accessories and understated, but polished jewelry.

• Choose accessories that do not detract from the appeal of the One & Done piece. That means your handbag, shoes, jewelry and any outerwear needs to fit well, be in good condition, look modern and coordinate well with the dress or jumpsuit.

Tiered Maxi Dress from J.Jill

This tiered maxi dress features a pretty ditsy floral in the cooler shades of fall. I think we older gals need to be careful when choosing small floral prints because they can make us look like old grannies. Ha! (Think calico prints often used for quilting.) And you may think that about this one. But I think the modern, trending colors in this print make it quite suitable and flattering. Still, because this print could look a little old, I kept the look fresh by topping it with a youthful denim jacket rather than, say, a cardigan.

I also deliberately chose to accessorize with a modern selection of jewelry, shoes and handbag. While they’re not cutting edge or street vibe pieces, there’s nothing old and frumpy about my pointy toe flats, sleek leather tote or jewelry.

More One & Done Looks

Let’s see if I can pull up a few other examples of One & Dones from the blog. I don’t always get this right, but I’ll show you a few times when I think I did.

In the first look, from earlier this summer, I did indeed accessorize with trendier and more substantial necklace, sandals and handbag. But I think the accessories accentuate the dress rather than detracting from it. That’s key.

Coincidentally, the next One & Done outfit, from mid spring, features the exact same accessories I wore in today’s post. Hahaha! That’s because these are indeed my most lovely neutral shoes and handbag that are also casual. And of course a denim jacket is just almost always a good idea, in my opinion.

Since we’re moving towards fall, let’s consider a few more cool weather One & Done looks. I think a sweater dress is such a lovely option for the cooler months. Notice how I again let the dress take center stage by choosing neutral accessories. But in all of these cases my accessories are also beautiful and “clean.” They don’t detract from the look.

Finally, here’s a holiday look featuring a bold pink dress. Since this was a party look, I did accessorize with a little more glitz and shine, but the dress still holds center stage.

Honestly, I don’t wear a lot of jumpsuits. And the few I’ve shone here on the blog have either been very summery pieces or they were plain black. And I don’t wear as many dresses as I used to either. But I do think it’s important to know the keys to pulling off a successful One & Done so that we’re ready when it’s time to wear a pretty dress.

Because I’d had a little practice creating successful One & Done looks, I knew I wanted to keep accessories elegant and minimal when I dressed for my son’s wedding.

The J.Jill Look

Okay, let’s wrap this post up with one final look at today’s outfit. If you’re a J.Jill Credit Cardholder, you can get 30% off your full price purchase PLUS your usual additional 5% off today. Non-cardholders can enjoy the 30% savings starting September 11.

By the way, I also love this pretty print shirt dress from J.Jill. It’s definitely a more modern silhouette. And the colors are equally beautiful. I’ve updated my J.Jill Favorites Page, too.

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If you’ve missed other posts in the Oh So Pulled Together series, click here. You can also find the posts in this series and others through the menu at the top of the post.

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Blessed for My Day

Have you ever felt Jesus whisper something to your soul only to doubt that He could possibly be right. Whether the Holy Spirit was reminding you of a truth from God’s Word or the Spirit of God was convicting you, challenging you to make a right and godly choice, maybe you just couldn’t believe that God really understood your unique circumstances. “Surely that couldn’t be,” you might have whispered back to God.

But God is never mistaken. If He says He’ll raise this temple in three days, He’ll raise it in three days! So if He says, you are forgiven, then you are forgiven. If He says He’s in control and nothing in this world has taken Him by surprise, you can trust that He’s got this. And if He tells you to give someone grace, you need to give that soul some grace, dear gal. Let’s learn to be women who trust the Word of God and do not argue with Him. He is who He says He is, you are who He says you are, and He will do what He says He will do.

Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken. ~ John 2:19-22