A few years ago I bought this leather vest from a consignment shop for $40. $40! I was elated!  I thought it had every element of cool, and I just knew it would go with everything.

Flash forward two years, and I’ve worn it twice. It drives me crazy when that happens! You find a gem of a piece, thinking it will be a new staple, and then it sits unused.

Not today.  I layered my masculine moto vest over a more feminine, floral, flowy maxi dress. You can belt it on the outside or let it flow (I photographed both ways so you can see the difference), and now I’m wondering how many other maxi dresses I can layer this bad boy over.

I am always telling y’all to play dress up in your own closet. I go through my closet top to bottom 3-4x a year. I know… that’s a lot. Keep in mind my closet is a large part of my job, so it’s almost like going through your work desk. BUT, doing so forces me to reevaluate my wardrobe – what I’m wearing/not wearing – and challenge myself to style things in new, interesting and exciting ways.

AND the best part? It’s like going shopping. Except you didn’t spend any money and are utilizing the pieces you already have. I know I’m always preaching this, but VERSATILITY is everything when you’re adding new pieces to your closet. In my opinion, if you can’t wear something multiple ways, really stop to think if you need it at all.

Let me know if this is something you guys would want a full post on – we could totally take a deep dive into closet clean outs!

photos by Meg Stone

dress, also available here | vest – Truth & Pride (consignment steal), similar styles here (60% off) and here | booties | belt, loving this jumbo version and love this look for less – would also be great with this one or this one | sunglasses – Céline, love these dupes | lipstick in 102 Sweet Song

Do you have any pieces in your closet that you have figured out how to style quite yet? I challenge you to pull them out and play dress up.  Mix and match, try it with numerous different pieces until you find something that inspires you.

There’s no reason you should have fabulous pieces that are left unworn! Style them up, sister!

Thanks so much for reading and sharing – XO –