4 Step Event Style Guide

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“Every day is a fashion show.” I absolutely love this phrase! And it’s 100% true. When you choose something to wear, you’re communicating something to the world- whether you mean to or not. So while it might seem vain to focus on the fashion, it’s a really important part of an event. And based on your wardrobe choice, you’re not just communicating who you are but you’re also setting the mood for how you’ll feel. If you love what you’re wearing, you’ll be confident and more likely to step outside of your comfort zone! Who knew fashion could be so powerful?

Last week, I told you guys all about my upcoming sorority ‘reunion.’ It was the sorority’s 30th Anniversary, so some of our alumni put together a big bash. It was such a big deal because over 200 people attended, including our Founder, and we had never had such a large event before. It was so cool because I got to reconnect with friends that I lost touch with and meet people I hadn’t met before! So, how did I get ready for this big event?

Here’s my 4 Step Event Style Guide!


Formal, Look One
Created by theclosetbychristie on Polyvore

EVENT STYLE GUIDE
Most of the time, I envision a look in my head and then go crazy trying to find something as similar to it as I can. Sometimes it’s based on something I’d seen recently, which definitely makes it easier! Other times it’s not as simple and it can be next to impossible to find exactly what I’m looking for. In these cases, it’s nice to have something a little more physical to get a better feel for the look I’m going for and how to make it come together.
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1- Search My Favorite Shops Online
The
first thing I do is check out my favorite store’s websites to see
what’s out there. These shops typically include White House Black
Market, Topshop, Nordstrom, Banana Republic, Express, and Ralph Lauren.
Sometimes I hit the jackpot and fall in love with something but even if I
do, I hold myself back because there’s a lot more that goes into a look
than just the dress.
2- Clip My Finds To Polyvore

Next, I clip my favorite finds to Polyvore. This helps me to see everything in one place and discover even more options! 
How does this help me discover more? When you view something on the
website, it also lists items that are similar. This helps bring me
outside of my box and expand my horizons. That’s exactly how I found this
dress! The beautiful vintage style dress I wore to this event is from
Modcloth, a store that I like but it’s not on my go-to store list. I
found it by chance on Polyvore and fell in love!

3- Create a Mood Board
One
of the most important parts of a look are the accessories! It can be
tough to envision the right accessories for a look, so it makes things
easier to create a mood board. This is the perfect way to see things
side by side so you can see if they really work together! 
4- Gather Opinions
“Well I mean you wouldn’t buy a skirt without asking your friends if it looks good on you.” Gretchen
Wieners, Mean Girls. I could never forget this line from one of the
best movies of all time- Mean Girls! It’s not completely true for me but
once I have a few mood boards created, I’ll usually ask the opinion of a
friend or two if I can’t quite make up my mind.

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how-to-get-ready-for-a-big-event, event-style, what-to-wear-to-a-big-event, what-to-wear-to-a-formal-event, what-to-wear-to-a-party, what-to-wear-to-a-formal, what-to-wear-on-a-fancy-date, modcloth-vintage-inspired-time-and-grace-dress, how-to-wear-a-tent-dress, house-of-harlow-palladium-plated-four-point-ring, lc-lauren-conrad-stud-earrings, oversize-envelope-clutch-blush

how-to-get-ready-for-a-big-event, event-style, what-to-wear-to-a-big-event, what-to-wear-to-a-formal-event, what-to-wear-to-a-party, what-to-wear-to-a-formal, what-to-wear-on-a-fancy-date, modcloth-vintage-inspired-time-and-grace-dress, how-to-wear-a-tent-dress, house-of-harlow-palladium-plated-four-point-ring, lc-lauren-conrad-stud-earrings, oversize-envelope-clutch-blush
how-to-get-ready-for-a-big-event, event-style, what-to-wear-to-a-big-event, what-to-wear-to-a-formal-event, what-to-wear-to-a-party, what-to-wear-to-a-formal, what-to-wear-on-a-fancy-date, modcloth-vintage-inspired-time-and-grace-dress, how-to-wear-a-tent-dress, house-of-harlow-palladium-plated-four-point-ring, lc-lauren-conrad-stud-earrings, oversize-envelope-clutch-blush

THE LOOK
As you can see from my look, the outfit doesn’t usually turn out exactly
as the mood board but it does help keep things in perspective and
organized. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve run around the mall like
a mad person in the past, desperate to find something! There’s nothing
worse than that last minute panic, so this process is a great
alternative.

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photo credit: Tom Russo Photography

how-to-get-ready-for-a-big-event, event-style, what-to-wear-to-a-big-event, what-to-wear-to-a-formal-event, what-to-wear-to-a-party, what-to-wear-to-a-formal, what-to-wear-on-a-fancy-date, modcloth-vintage-inspired-time-and-grace-dress, how-to-wear-a-tent-dress, house-of-harlow-palladium-plated-four-point-ring, lc-lauren-conrad-stud-earrings, oversize-envelope-clutch-blush
photo credit: a few from Tom Russo Photography

How do you get ready for a big event? Show us your style! Tag us on Instagram (@theclosetbychristie) to show us your event style.

  • Kathrine Eldridge November 18, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    What a stunning dress! Love all your accessories too – especially that ring!

    http://www.kathrineeldridge.com

  • Amy's Fashion Blog November 18, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    you look stunning. Love the lace detail in your dress

    http://www.amysfashionblog.com/blog-home

  • Heidi Hendricksen November 18, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    This lace dress is stunning! I looks like its vintage!

    Wishes & Reality

  • Jackie G November 19, 2015 at 3:07 am

    It looks like you chose the perfect outfit for that particular event! I could definitely use these tips, because I seem to forget how to get dressed every single time I have an event to attend. It's a struggle!

    Jackie
    Something About That

    • theclosetbychristie November 19, 2015 at 3:36 am

      The struggle is real, Jackie! The same thing happens to me. Sometimes I look better going to Starbucks than when I'm faced with pressure! This process has definitely helped me.

      'xo Christie

  • The Wardrobe Stylist November 19, 2015 at 5:36 am

    This is so adorable! I found your link on the Sydney Fashion link up. I love the dress and the colour is amazing!!! Really suits you. Would love if you check out my look: http://the-wardrobe-stylist.com/2011/02/01/style-tip-abstract-art-dress/

  • The Wardrobe Stylist November 19, 2015 at 5:37 am

    Even if it didn't go as per the mood board it is well achieved 🙂

  • Fashionista Momma November 19, 2015 at 6:23 am

    I love the look and it turned out perfectly. Great tips for planning for an event. xo~ Megan The Fashionista Momma

  • Emily November 19, 2015 at 8:30 am

    I also build an image of mine before starting choosing the clothes and the jewels but it is often way too difficult to stick to the initial idea. When I open the dresser lot of ideas come into my mind and change the picture and outfit.

  • lexie robinson November 19, 2015 at 5:39 pm

    What a beautiful color! Thank you for sharing.

    I found you at jerseygirltexanheart.com

  • Natassia November 19, 2015 at 7:23 pm

    You look amazing in that pretty dress! Love the colour and the shape! 🙂

    And those heels are so cute! 🙂

    YouTube | Blog: Geekette in High Heels | Instagram

  • Abigail Castro December 30, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    You look so stunning! I love the dainty colors!

    xo,
    Abby of Life in the Fash Lane