On Opening Nights
The fancy stuff: buying it, wearing it, re-wearing it.
Hello my darlings!
I opened a play on Saturday! Actually, this production is what’s called a “co-pro”—when two theaters in different cities come together to split the risk-and-reward of producing the same piece, which then performs in both locations—so it’s the second opening of our play, a new adaptation of Gaslight by Steven Dietz. I love performing in it, and I love opening nights! Lucky me that we get to have two openings in as many months on this contract. Getting dressed for those double events recently has me sneaking back into your inbox this week to talk about fancy-pants dressing (FUN), and how I try to get the most out of those nicer lewks in my day-to-day wardrobe.
Gaslight marks a lot of firsts for me—my first time leading a play, my first time performing that brand new play outside of a workshop setting, my first time since college performing without a microphone (lol)—so, for the Gaslight openings, I knew I wanted to wear something special. I like to mark a Big Life Moment with a fun outfit! I love a celebration, and I love to feel all glow-y and fabulous for those special days. That doesn’t have to mean buying something new! But in this case, I had the desire to do a little shopping.
There is a ubiquitous problem with purchasing formalwear, and that is the poor fashion math involved. The wear count is down! And I want to avoid accumulating anything in my closet I can only wear once. I’ve been really inspired by how stylist Allison Bornstein and Tibi founder and creative director Amy Smilovic utilize their entire closets, and avoid what Smilovic calls a “trifurcated closet”—by only accumulating new pieces that enhance the things they already own, and thus can be worn many ways.
My personal approach to buying something new has always been the “three-outfit rule:” if I’m buying a new thing, I have to be able to mentally style it (easily!) a minimum of three different ways, using items I already have in my closet. For example, in August I bought a pair of red suede low-heeled sandals (they’ve been featured in this newsletter already, and you’re about to see them again below!). Buying them would have been against my rule if I’d felt that I needed to buy a new dress to wear with the shoes. Before deciding to spend the cash, I thought to myself, “these would be fun with that printed mini dress I have, and would also work as a subtle Americana moment with those blue wide leg pants and a t-shirt, and might give good stinky contrast with that muted pink slip dress…” etc. Part of what I like so much about this method—only accumulating items that I’m excited to style with things I already own—is that it has led me to feel that I always look like myself, no matter the event. It’s the “personal” in “personal style.”
SO. Yes, I was looking for a new dress for opening, but there was no reason why that dress couldn’t be as wearable as a new sweater or pair of jeans. I knew I could find something versatile that would still make me feel like a special lady. And I did! Tra la!
Below, what I wore to both Gaslight opening nights, why I think the looks are versatile, and how I will restyle each piece.
#1: Cool Green Slip
I’m so into this dress. It might be hard to tell in the photo, but the fabric is this very cool, very soft material (it’s cupro, a potentially more sustainable alternative to silk or rayon). I like the long column of it, and that the straps are adjustable.
This very enthusiastic video still is literally the only photo I have from the first opening night—we were living in the moment! Enthusiasm aside, I felt like an easy breezy 90s babe wearing it with a simple black heeled sandal, and it took me like TWO SECONDS to get ready after the show. Ideal.
Styled for Regular Days:
I’m just as into it dressed down! It is so easy to throw this on with a jacket and be all “who me?” about life. It’s from DISSH, a company I really like because they do a nice job of blending ease and elegance (and the sales are usually pretty good). It’s the “ease” part that makes this so flexible in a fancy or casual sense:
Matching’s not for everyone, but I love the sneaky almost-match of the hat and shoes; I think it’s cheeky. I’m also a VERY BIG baseball cap fan. Maybe it is the tiny suburban dad inside my heart, but I just think it is the most versatile accessory. Often a cool and unexpected addition. AND it can be hard out there for a curly girl! In the fight against the elements, this cap has got my back.
More fall styling:
We add a long sheer layer!—which is approximately one million years old (OG Nasty Gal, if you can believe). I’m digging the undercover Christmas color palette happening here. And I often do a turtleneck check with my dresses, to see if they pass the wintertime test. I think it’s a pass here! Just add a boot and stomp out the door.
Alright, alright. On to opening number two!
#2: Blue Tie Dye-Ish Tube
This is from Zara. I have a lot of thoughts on buying from big box stores, which I plan to unpack soon (Issue #009, to be exact). But I try to avoid shopping at Zara because of their questionable environmental and labor practices. I am curious about the changes they are beginning to make in response to social pressure, and the power of the consumer to demand more from our affordable/accessible fashion brands. So, maybe once a year, I have a moment of weakness and wander onto the Zara website. I try to do so with my Know Thyself Sensor turned all the way up, so as to avoid major impulse or regret buys. AND YES I DO, as previously discussed, get those purchases tailored—so that I can wear and rewear with ease. As a tailoring disciple, I think good fit alone bolsters the shelf life of a garment. And as a result, I have some Zara purchases in my closet that I really love! Mostly in the summer clothing department. Very fun wears.
ANYHOO, definitely will get into that more later! Back on job (HA), here is me trying out this blue lady for Opening #2:
I like this dress because I think the tie dye effect makes it a cool choice for a fancier event, but easy to dress down as more casual wear. The ruching makes me feel less conscious of how fitted the dress is (it’s my personal preference that tighter clothing have texture, or a print, or else be fitted only in one area of the garment). In general I like a strapless or minimal-strap moment. I think the décolletage is a universally beautiful area on a person, and I like that I can keep the jewelry really simple when the shoulders are out. A nice earring is plenty!
Styled for Regular Days:
Okay, work with me, it’s October in Massachusetts so I don’t have casual flat sandals in the suitcase. But this is the vibe!
The length of this dress makes it easy to pair with a heel or flat. Because this cut has some structure (not breezy) the dress holds up for fall dressing, but the print and color would totally work for a beach vibe. I’m wearing the ocean! And for spring, there is a specific, oversized denim jacket calling out to me from my coat closet at home that would make for a very good monochrome moment here.
Finally, here’s me on our second opening night:
Okay that’s it! Any day can be a special day when you wear your dresses all year long! Goodbye!
Costume Change is a styling newsletter (vs. a shopping newsletter). Many posts will not include clothing “credits”— but I’m happy to share info in the comments about specific items, just HMU.
Any links to clothing/shoes, etc. that do appear in my writing are purely my honest to goodness recommendations. If we (ever) enter spon-con territory, those recs will be clearly marked as such. Thanks for reading, and reminder to keep those comments kind!