How to Transition Your Outfit from Day to Night

How to Transition Your Outfit from Day to Night

You don’t need to spend hours in front of the mirror to find day-to-night outfits. With the right accessories and materials, you can create an ensemble suitable for daylight hours while presenting a dressed-up feel in the evenings. It’s really quite simple!

Whether you’re heading from the office to after work drinks or going from a casual day to a formal event, this guide offers you some practical tips for seamlessly transitioning your attire for any occasion. Nobody wants to pack two outfits with them, so this is a great way to change things up!

Choose a Good Base Outfit 

Start with something that works well both day and night. An office-appropriate black dress can easily be dressed down or up with a few small changes. You can pair it with a blazer and trainers in the office for the daytime, before swapping out into some heels for after-work events. This is really simple!

Wrap and midi skirts are versatile staples that pair well with blouses and turtlenecks during the day too, to keep things looking smart and classy, but they pair just as well with tank tops and leather jackets at night, creating a killer combination!

A shirt dress is another good option that can be endlessly modified. You can pair it with jeans or leggings during the day before undoing a few buttons and wearing it as a solo dress at night with some gorgeous heels or boots. It’s all about choosing the right base pieces!

Switch Up Your Accessories 

Accessories play a defining role in the tone of an your outfit. To alter the feel of your aesthetic, try switching from a no-fuss work tote bag to a sleek clutch with strappy heels. Nobody likes a huge bag at night, so swapping to something minimal and glam is key here.

Minimalist jewellery in the day, like delicate necklaces and stud earrings, can transition into statement pieces, such as layered bracelets, for a glamorous look in the evening. You can do this by carrying a small pouch in your work bag as it’s an easy way to change your jewellery.

Along with your accessories, makeup is an important step you shouldn’t overlook. Keep it light and professional for office hours before adding a bold lip colour or smokey eye to head into the nighttime. Pack what you need in your pouch for a quick retouch to be ready for the evening. This literally makes all the difference! Trust me.

Change Your Shoes 

Loafers, flats, and trainers are ideal for the day. Classic white trainers add a casual touch to outfits and are comfortable to walk around in, while sporting loafers offer a more polished daytime look. Espadrilles are a good alternative for baking hot summer days too!

When the evening comes around though, heels will always elevate your look. Wedges are an easier alternative if you’re not a fan of heels, as they provide more support to walk in, while sandals with an interesting texture can draw attention on a night out.

If you’re busy and don’t have time to swap shoes or the space to carry them during the daytime, ankle boots are versatile and well-suited to cooler weather. I personally love ankle boots as they can pair with anything if they have a heel to them! I’d recommend something like my Loeffler Randall Isla boots.

Add a Smart Jacket or Coat  

A nice jacket can pull everything together. It really is one of those pieces that elevates anything. In the winter, faux-fur coats with skinny jeans and over-the-knee boots are a must! This is a staple of mine and it looks amazing.

Something like a navy wool or cashmere blazer will go with most colours and accessories too! You can of course opt for beige if you have a lighter skin tone though! I usually do. This will really help tailor your look.

Trench coats in beige and olive shades (skin tone dependent) are a safe bet as well. They work with jeans, flannel button-ups, lace-trimmed skirts, and all-season flats. You really can’t go wrong with outerwear like this for daytime and nighttime.

Then lastly, an overcoat. You can either opt for one with a belt at the waist, or one without. I personally think the belt adds an extra touch of elegance and class, changing the entire flow of the outfit. You can layer a coat like this over anything. Shirts, knitwear, jeans, skirts, dresses… it’s an absolute must!