So you've been invited to a 'ladies who lunch' lunch, but then style stress sets in - what are you going to wear? You could buy a new dress - but when would you wear it again? Don't fret, there's a simple solution: try a matched set! Matched sets (aka a top and bottom in the same color or print) have been on trend for the past few seasons, and there's a concrete reason why. Worn together, they look like a dress, but they also function as separates - so you get a dress, a top, and a bottom all out of the same pieces. Now, isn't that a great way to get maximum mileage out of your wardrobe?
A matched set offers amazing versatility - especially if your lifestyle doesn't call for a dress very often (or if you're a different size on top and bottom). And if you could always use another cute top or fun printed skirt - then it's definitely for you. See how we took a leopard-print matched set from J. Crew and created not one, not two, but three looks - one for that fancy lunch, another for a movie date, and a third for the office.
LEOPARD AT LUNCH
A matching top and skirt are ideal for a charity function or celebration brunch as the perfect stand-in for a print dress - but that doesn't mean you have to be quiet or conservative. Grab a sexy cutout bootie, a bold cuff bracelet and that light colored sweater-coat that you wouldn't dare wear around the kids, and enjoy a fun afternoon with the adults.
Leopard top and skirt by J. Crew. Ivory sweater-coat and suede booties by Tory Burch. Cream and black clutch by Clare Vivier. Gold cuff by Alexis Bittar. Sunglasses by Warby Parker.
LEOPARD AT THE MOVIES
A girls' night out movie date is definitely a jeans and booties kind of evening. The top from your matched set gets a little less serious with worn-in denim, your favorite leather jacket and a lariat necklace (worn tight at the neck to resemble an on-trend choker) - and then add a hit of color with a deep red (the hot hue for the season) bag...
Butterscotch leather moto jacket by Karen Millen. Ankle jeans and lariat necklace by Banana Republic. Embellished-toe booties by M. Gemi. Leather crossbody bag by Marc Jacobs. Eyeglasses by Warby Parker.
LEOPARD AT WORK
It never hurts to add some feline to your work day - just make it office-appropriate with subdued separates, like an of-the-moment bomber (in place of a traditional blazer), a simple tipped sweater and burgundy mary janes.
Crewneck sweater by Boutique Moschino. Black bomber jacket by Karen Millen. Suede stacked heel mary janes by Via Spiga. Suede tote and double-wrap watch by Tory Burch. Gold pendant necklace by Stella & Dot.
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Cover photo credits (left to right): Style at a certain age, Popsugar, Memorandum
