The Ever by X Dress Styled Three Ways
My friend Sylvia is one of the most stylish women I know and has a true passion for fashion. When she was training to become a personal stylist, one of her course projects was to take a colorful dress and style it three ways on another individual, and I offered to be her guinea pig. She had my emerald green ever by X dress styled three ways.
The Ever by X Dress Styled Three Ways
I was intrigued by this activity. I think my styling skills are pretty good, and I feel no one else really gets my body/taste combo better than me. But as you will see, Sylvia suggested things I would never consider, which broadened my perspective. I ended up liking the results.
For more information about this versatile and unique dress check out my original ever by X dress review. I share information about the company and show multiple ways to style it.
1. Styling the ever by X Dress for a Night Out
Sylvia loved the idea of gold with the green of the dress so she asked to see if I had any gold heels. I shared I have a pair of gold heeled sandals from Margaux (they aren't cheap but they continue to be the most comfortable and versatile heels in my wardrobe and they come in wide width).
To continue with the gold theme, we went through my belt collection, and she chose this gold elastic belt with a pave buckle from Zara that I got a while ago. Choosing a metal belt instead of the self-belt gives a more dressy/cocktail effect.
Sylvia then wanted a unique gold earring that gave an effect similar to a hoop. She chose my “Edie” hoops from Jenny Bird, a gold post with a ring dangling from the end (these earrings are no longer available for purchase).
The thing I would have never chosen for this look but love is the bag. This bag is from Everlane and is several years old (previously seen here and here). I would never have considered pairing a coral red bag with a green dress, but the warm red and the bright green combo feel modern and fresh.
Sylvia then had me to finish the look with a red lip (this lipcolor from L'Oreal) and to pull my hair up in sort of a windswept look with tendrils. This is another thing I wouldn't have done on my own but it really did elevate the entire look! What do you think of the result?
2. Styling the ever by X Dress for Work
Sylvia checked out my blazer collection. We tried my black blazer and it was meh with the dress. We then tried this white double-breasted blazer that is from a Zara suit I wore in this post and when I was a guest for the DC stop on the Bad on Paper Podcast tour.
We tried the self belt, but it didn't look polished under the blazer, so we switched it to a belt I got at Chico's a few years ago. Chico's has no belts right now, but watch this space because they always do belts really well (I have several Chico's belts in my wardrobe).
For shoes, we tried a few different things – we tried some zebra print knit booties and leopard calf hair pointed-toe kitten pumps. We settled on black pumps, which tied in the belt. To make it feel me, we added bold gold mirror earrings I purchased at B. Yellowtail.
Sylvia recommended a red lip. We went through my selection for a bag, and she chose a black-and-white graphic leather bag from Dagne Dover (a limited edition, no longer available). The bag had a shoulder strap and a wrist strap; we removed both to carry it like a clutch. Again, I wouldn't have picked this bag, but the black-and-white print tied the whole look together to give a creative office vibe.
3. How to Style the ever by X Dress for Vacation
I have taken an ever by X dress on vacation and now won't travel without it. Wearing it without the belt like a caftan is an obvious choice, but Sylvia wanted to switch it up a bit by doing a cape-life effect. We did this by putting the self-belt around my waist under the dress, having the ends come out the slits in the front, twisting the straps in front, and then feeding them back through the slits to tie them behind my waist under the dress.
Sounds complicated, but if you own the dress, it's quite easy and comfortable. You can also achieve this look with a skinny belt that will fit through the slits; have the belt against your body and feed through the slits, clasp it in front over the dress, and adjust the fabric.
Sylvia wanted the look of lots of different necklaces, and we layered a bunch of my gold and beaded necklaces, but with my bust, they all just fell to the center and didn't achieve what she hoped for. She then suggested unbuttoning two of the dress buttons to elongate and open the neckline, taking two necklaces and shortening them so they layered, filling in the neckline. I shortened these two necklaces by placing a gold safety pin through the chains and then letting the excess necklace hang down my back. Again, this is something I wouldn't consider on my own, but I loved the result.
We played a bit with bracelets; Sylvia loved the gold cuff (Chico's) but also wanted something on the other wrist. I pulled out a wood and acetate bangle (also Chico's) and it had the same green as the dress. We both were surprised by how much we loved the mismatched bangle effect. I myself would never choose such a combo but don't be surprised if you see me rock it again!
We tried a few scarves on my head, but it looked like a hybrid between Little Edie and Little Steven, so we checked out my straw hat selection. My big floppy hat was the wrong proportion, and the fedora was too proper, but this hat from Lack of Colour was perfect.
This bag is also Zara; it's pretty old. My summer shoe selection is limited; Sylvia went with my flat gold gladiator sandals, which are neutral enough to let the outfit take the spotlight. Makeup was just brows and bronzer to give a summer holiday effect.
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Great tip on how to shorten necklace chain!
Like others have mentioned, this post is really showing me that I need to focus on thoughtfully adding accessories to my wardrobe. Thinking of a gold belt and printed clutch next, and how they’d likely revive my solid-color dresses that I usually feel not totally polished in. Thanks for the ideas!
I love these looks and love hearing about the process you went through to get there. I love the way she balanced the focal point of the accessories: where the belt is blingy, no necklace needed. Neutral belt = layered necklaces. Great post and what an endorsement for the dress!
I love these looks and the fresh ideas. And that green is stunning!
Thanks, Cindy!
These are such gorgeous looks! For anyone who is thinking about this dress, I bought it in the dark blue color and it is SUCH good quality. However, I live in a very dry (desert) climate and I seriously have never had so much trouble with static from a garment. The fabric feels so good but just will not drape in my climate, no matter what approaches for fighting static I try. It may be a better fit for a more humid climate (like the DC area!) and I personally am looking forward to taking it on a trip to a wetter location. 🙂
Oh gosh, that sucks! I haven’t taken it to a dry climate yet so haven’t experienced that but this is good to know!
Who’d ever think my favorite on-line stylist could learn things from a stylist! that Dress looks fabulous on you – can you tell me what size you’re wearing ? did you size down due to the volume? We’re similar (I think in shape and almost size – also def. petite) so I gauge what size I may need on what size you’re wearing – especially for on-line only purchases. Thank you for your continued assistance with very creative dressing!
I just read you previous very helpful review – no need to answer on the sizing – but by the way you look amazing in that Emerald Green!
Thank you! And glad you found the Ever by X dress review helpful!
i LOVE the lip color with your vacation style. mind sharing what it is?
Sure, sorry about not linking it! It’s Revlon in Certainly Red https://amzn.to/3K7UBS5
LEU2500, I’m with you on my impression of the dress changing. Makes me think about a classic shirt dress that’s sitting in my warm weather clothes and how I might get some accessories to reve it up.
That’s great that this inspired you! I do think that these styling ideas could work with a range of other dresses!
Oddly, this post shows me why my current look is boring (classic?). If I were told to try a few hats, add a belt, a clutch, something gold, earrings that hung lower than normal, a different belt, gold sandals, a red purse — I’d be left standing with nothing. Accessories, clearly!
I regularly edit my clothing, but I am slower to get rid of accessories because they really can transform basics and they are far more likely to come back in style over time.
I joined the Great Resignation in 2021, and am now part of the Great Re-Evaluation. I wish I had thought ahead to the power of accessories, as I got rid of pretty much everything as a Great Dramatic Gesture. 😉
I struggle with this, too! I know I could do a better job styling but feel so lost when it comes to accessories.
These outfits really showcase the versatility of the dress! Very cool post.
Thanks Grace I’m glad you liked it! It was a fun activity!
WOW! I am impressed with the outfits! If a stylist can help you (who writes and focuses on fashion) I can only think that it would be a HUGE help for me. One of the things that struck me was how much time was spent trying different things-I usually spend 10 seconds deciding what shoes/jewelry/handbag goes with an outfit.
I think because she’s not familiar with my closet it took longer, but also it was interesting because I have my go-to combinations and she made me think outside the box!
This is a great lesson in accessories making an outfit. In this case, they took a dress that I’m meh about to hey! That looks really good.
Looks 1 & 2 also make me remember those “how to take an outfit from work to dinner/drinks’ features we had in the 80s & 90s
The green/coral/gold is very Palm Beachy to me, not Christmas at all.
And finally (I’m very chatty this morning) I have a pencil case that I got for $1 at Staples that is a dupe for the clutch in #3. Guess I’m moving it from my office to my closet.
That pencil case sounds awesome! Why not make it a clutch?