Vacation Night Out–The Perfect Pieces that Easily Go From Day to Night
August 2, 2013
By Brian Maynor
August 2, 2013
For the third installment in our vacation series let’s look at dressing for a night out.
No vacation would be complete without at least one night out, but let’s be honest on vacation every night is usually a night out. Whether you spend the day zip lining through a jungle or walking the corridors of an art museum, when the sun goes down all attention shifts to looking your best for dinner and dancing or just strolling around in the moonlight. These inspiration looks transform pieces worn during the day into outfits guaranteed to wow at night:
1. Casual and comfortable does not mean frumpy. When you are on vacation it is easy to let your style expectations slip ever so slightly to focus on packing more comfortable pieces in a limited space, but the concepts are not mutually exclusive.
Here a jersey tank is dressed-up with a structured linen blazer. Both items are comfortable and here work together to make an elegant pair. Being monochromatic helps pull the pieces together and the blazer provides the necessary and flattering shape to a boxy top.
The smooth knit grey polo shirt looks a lot more pulled together and appealing than an a button-front with rolled-up sleeves. Tucked or un-tucked this is the better choice because the shirt is fitted, structured and accented with a contrast collar and trim. Even fitted button-fronts can cross the line and look sloppy if worn un-tucked.
2. The pants make the outfit. The tank and blazer are paired with the same crop pants from the previous outfit, but here they have a much more fashionable feel and stronger impact because it is the only color in the outfit. Before the grey t-shirt and nude shoes worked to defuse the color, which was perfect for a day look, but at night you want a little more drama and saturated palette.
Dark uniform washed denim should be a staple in every closet and one item always packed. Jeans are arguably the most versatile item of clothing ever invented and a dark wash looks great on everyone. Most people focus so much on the leg cut they neglect to check the rise. This detail can ruin an otherwise perfect pair of jeans. If the rise is too high they look odd and over extend your lower half, but if they are too low you create the plumber’s crack, muffin-top and other sundry fashion faux pas. The next time you try on a pair of jeans and can’t figure out why they are not working it is probably the rise.
3. Finishing touches. A solid gold jewelry story is the perfect complement for both outfits. There is nothing to compete or match, just a nice, simple, elegant finish. You really can never go wrong with hoop earrings, ever; the necklace helps keep the vertical movement while creating dimension and the bracelet is chunky with just right amount of sparkle to stand alone on your exposed wrist. It also ties in well with the gold-toe pumps. The clutch is a whimsical element that keeps the look light-hearted.
We used the watch and leather shoes from the first outfit while adding the scarf and glasses. A scarf is a great completing element to any outfit and always nice to have on hand should your date get a chill, and the glasses are just fun.
Whether you are at home or on vacation when you go out for an evening you want to look and feel your best. It is possible to achieve both with a limited wardrobe!
Woman’s Vacation Night Outfit
Man’s Vacation Night Outfit
I am always curious to hear about your weekend wardrobe dilemmas and help make your work wardrobe pull double duty. Email your questions, quandaries and conundrums to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
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