Changing Clothes For Desk to Dinner

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Update: We still think this is a great discussion on day to night transitions — you may also want to check out our recent post on what to avoid in “desk to dinner” dresses.

About a week ago we asked you how you handled the much-talked-about day-to-night transition — do you change outfits entirely? change elements of your outfit to make it less business and more fun? Pictured.

The poll is closed, but here’s how it’s looking thus far:

33% of you maintain elements of the same outfit, but change to denim or a more dressy skirt if you’re going out on the town
30% of you wear totally different clothes than what you wore to work
21% of you scoff at the idea of being able to get out of the office to enjoy a night out on the town. (Our unsolicited advice: C’mon, guys, you can do it! Youth is fleeting — and you can sleep when you’re dead.)
14% of you wear the exact outfit that you purchased thinking it would be a good day-to-night transition.

Since the majority of you wear elements of the same outfit, we couldn’t resist recommending this top and these shoes — wear the Velvet Leaf Dylan Blouse Cut Out Sleeves in Royal Blue (available at Revolve Clothing for $105) with a regular black suit with a pencil skirt and pumps, and before you leave the outfit, ditch the jacket and change into more trendy shoes such as these Nine West – Dasolina (Dark Purple Suede) (available from Zappos for $99).

blue going out top with ladder sleeves and purple heel with strappy stuff

Our Latest Favorite Work Clothes for Day to Night Transitions

Day to Night Work Dresses

These dresses are elegant enough to go from day to night…

Interesting Tops to Go From Day to Night (Just Add Denim!)

Stay tuned for our roundup of day to night tops for work!

Along similar lines: these tops all come in black, can be worn beneath a suit, but also would look great with jeans or a trendier bottom.

collage of 4 women wearing fancier tees you can wear under suits: 1) has draping details, 2) has a wrap detail at waist, 3) has a twist detail at the shoulder, 4) is a cowlneck — As of 2023, some of our favorite fancier tees for under suits include these: one / two / three / four (also this and this). In general, keep an eye out with brands like Boden, CeCe, and Tuckernuck, as well as the smaller workwear designers like the brands pictured above. (Also: J.Jill has a few long-sleeved ones as of Nov. 2023!)

Killer Heels for After Hours

Stay tuned for our roundup of great heels for after hours! These super cute high heels are best sellers at Amazon and are under $60.

Comments

ick
09/18/2008 at 5:54 pm
those pumps are hideous.
C
09/18/2008 at 5:57 pm
I’d say the heels are totally inappropriate for the office (unless you’re wearing pants and dark trouser socks) — but they ARE very trendy/popular right now…. seems like the socialites/movie stars are all wearing crazy-priced versions of them. (i think we can thank balenciaga for the trend.)
jcb
09/18/2008 at 6:06 pm
well, she did say that the shoes were for after work and not during. i’m not feeling the bootie trend yet, either. they shorten the leg, like anyone needs that.
Yasmin
09/19/2008 at 6:56 pm
I LOVE those shoes!!! SO cute. Seriously may have to order them right now…