Drab to Fab Winter Styling a Vintage Maxi Skirt

This vintage $5 thrifted velvety maxi skirt screams 90's, combined with a baggy sweater and wool blazer the outfit is just full of frump, short on style, and far from figure flattering.

Before-Even though the sizing is correct, the bagginess of the pieces, where they lay, and the gathers in the skirt makes me look much wider than I am, no woman wants that. What the outfit has going for it is rich colors and textures, which is a good foundation to start with, it creates a luxe feel, but it just needs a little help.

After- Just a few accessories save the day. A beret, belt, scarf, and heeled boots are the pieces used for the upstyle. The before outfit was in desperate need of a defined waist, adding the belt alone instantly changes the look of the outfit. Belting a blazer is a great way to change up the regular way you wear it.

The print on the skirt is no longer the focus as it was before, pulling 2 colors from the print of the skirt and bringing them to the top, along with adding the bold beret and boots draws the eye away from the print. The heaviness of the skirt and blazer make it a perfect winter outfit.

The great thing about skirts with elastic waists, you can pull them up to create a midi skirt, or strapless dress quite easily. This draws more attention to the boots and adds a little more flow to the skirt.

No seamstress needed, to achieve that look, you only need to pull the waistband over your chest, you can wear it without the sweater and just use the scarf and a thinner blazer if the weather is warmer. Or no scarf at all. You have several options in how to style it, which is always a good thing.

To create the ascot look with a scarf, start with the middle of the scarf facing the center of your neck.

Criss-cross the ends behind your neck and drape the ends in front of your shoulder like this.

Tie a loose knot in the front like you are tying your shoes before looping the bow

Loop the right end under the knot and bring it up over the top so it lays over the knot.

Tuck both ends into the neckline of the sweater

The belt also helps to keep the dress in place and creates nice folds in the skirt creating a more flowy feel. You gotta love two outfits in one! Back to rich textures, suede like knee boots are great for winter styling, these are over-the-knee style, which also keeps your legs warmer with shorter skirts on cold days. Style and function, always a wonderful combo!

This is a fast and easy fix, and it doesn't have to be expensive. These are the type of accessories I use often in winter styling. I have had most of these pieces for years since none of them go out of style.

If you don't have the right color of accessories, sometimes it's easier to buy them in bulk sets so each piece is less expensive and it gives you more options.

Berets are a great way to add interest to winter outfits, I have them in lots of colors and use them often. Red, black, brown, and ivory are the staple colors most often used. Singles run around $10-14 each or you can get 12 in different great colors here for $40 making them just a little over $3 each. Amazon

Same goes for scarves, they are an easy way to add pops of color to go with your berets and boots! Amazon

Multi-belt choices Amazon

Suede like knee boots Amazon

Don't donate that maxi skirt just yet, try wearing it differently. In fashion, the old can become new again in an instant.

Blessings,

Eden