I put this outfit together while getting ready for a Game of Thrones season 5 party. I have the innate ability to turn any party into a theme party and milk that theme for all it’s worth (check out my edible dragon eggs on Instagram for proof). So naturally I thought the occasion called for a makeshift themed ensemble. The best starting place is to style clothes you already have, so I settled for a bell-sleeve a-line dress, vaguely medieval side braid, Dauphines of NY headband (which you can win for yourself on yesterday’s post!), sage green crochet tights, and the moccasins I wear constantly.

Style clothes you already have

I realized that everything in my outfit I had owned for over a year, except for the headband. Sometimes I forget that new isn’t always better. “Old but good” pieces shouldn’t be ignored. It’s a reminder that you can shop in your own closet instead of being pressured to always buy new. Putting older pieces together in unexpected ways can really work. Adding a new accessory like a headband helps pull it together with a “new” feel.

Here’s an example: for weeks I shopped for a new tote bag, enlisting the help of my expert shopper friends. I had a big seminar a couple weeks ago and I wanted a neutral colored bag big enough for snacks, pens and a notebook, a DSLR, and more. I ended up deciding to wait on buying one (my top choices are all on my sidebar widget right now if you’re curious) so I had to turn to what I already had in my closet-and it worked out fine! This tote garnered plenty of compliments, and I was happy to tell people who liked it that it is now only $42 now from Vera Bradley. I will invest in a neutral tote bag eventually, but realizing I can make do with still-usable items took the pressure of a quick purchase off!

Outfit details

Dress – Similar at Forever 21 or Similar at Nordstrom /  Tights  /  Moccasins – Minnetonka  /  Purse – Mandy in Baroque from Vera Bradley

How do you style clothes you already have? Have fun finding new ways to mix and match existing clothes this season!