LORD & TAYLOR
Living in a commuter city where stalled traffic can mean sitting in a car for thirty minutes to get anywhere, you start to think more strategically about your plans and therefore your outfits. There are a loads of reasons why you may want to swap outfits throughout the day.
After work dates are a common reason for outfit swaps. Sometimes, before you realize it, the day turns to evening and work meetings spill into happy hours. Or, maybe you’re trapped in a three-day work conference where your only down-time consists of bathroom breaks. By five o-clock, you’re whisked away as a team for cocktails and hobnobbing. Other times you may just want to pack light, your overnight bag is already bursting at the seams with toiletries and electronics, your only space savings is the clothes you intend to wear on your back.
The best day to night dresses are those that only require small changes to be dressed up or down. In our list of dresses you can buy at Lord and Taylor, we’ve included selections that are clear day to evening candidates and those that are a bit more daring and may require an open mind. Browse through our picks and make sure to grab your faves before they sell out!
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Flutter-Sleeve Sweater Dress by BCBGeneration
$88 at the time of publication
This flutter-sleeve sweater dress is made of a soft and stretchy poly blend which makes an easy day to night dress by making a few swaps. By day wear this super cute mini dress with flat sandals or fresh white sneakers. By night, you can pair this dress with knee-high boots or strappy stilettos and a clutch handbag.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Asymmetric Pleather-Trimmed Dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA
$298 at the time of publication
This asymmetric pleather trimmed dress is extremely flattering. It highlights all of your curves by cinching in at the breast line but most importantly, this dress can go the long haul. Just add a blazer for work meetings and remove it for cocktail hour.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Short-Sleeve Shift Dress by Mango
$100 at the time of publication
This short-sleeve shift dress by Mango is incredibly versatile if you only bring a change of shoes. Wear your flats for a casual look and wear strappy sandals or heels for dressier occasions.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Floor-Length Jacquard Ball Gown by Monique Lhuillier
$795 at the time of publication
Have you ever considered the versatility of a ball gown? My personal favorite of the bunch, but perhaps a more daring choice this Monique Lhuillier gown is, in fact, a day to evening dress. This is definitely an option for women who don’t believe there’s such thing as “too much.” Realistically, a cropped jean jacket transforms this entire look.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Culver Striped Shift Dress by ASTR The Label
$100 at the time of publication
Don’t be surprised if you start channeling Twiggy when you wear this retro striped shift dress. Opt for a pair of modern loafers instead of heels and you’ve instantly dressed down your ensemble.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Knot Sheath Dress by Diane von Furstenberg
$468 at the time of publication
This knot sheath dress from Diane von Furstenberg screams business casual but I argue that swapping ankle boots for strappy stilettos instantly makes it a dress that you’d race from an extended workday to a dinner date in.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Kaitlyn A-Line Dress by Black Halo
$375 at the time of publication
This darling a-line dress may be perhaps the most versatile on the list making it the easiest to dress up and down. Just keep in mind, the lower the heel the more casual. And, have fun playing around with clutches and ankle jewelry. While this dress is simplistic, it really is a statement piece, so don’t overdo it. Less is more here.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Parker Lurex-Knit Leaf A-Line Dress by Diane von Furstenberg
$498 at the time of publication
Are you headed to an art showing or a festival? The question is irrelevant if you’re wearing this dress because it can instantly transition between settings with a shoe change.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
On & Off Pleated Fit-&-Flare Dress by CMEO COLLECTIVE
$205 at the time of publication
This is a dress that easily converts from a darling baby doll dress with the help of cute slippers to a sexy cocktail dress with the right heels.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Striped Midi Shift Dress by Michael Kors
$175 at the time of publication
If you carry a jacket and change of shoes with you in your work bag you’ll have enough to wear this same adorable dress from work to a night out on the town.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Ruffled Shirt Dress by 1.State
$149 at the time of publication
A comfortable and darling choice, this ruffled shirt dress from 1. State is an excellent choice for a trip to the farmer’s market when paired with flat sandals. This same dress with heels later in the day is perfect over a glass of wine with friends.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Long-Sleeve Chambray Shirt Dress by Jones New York
$99 at the time of publication
Another one of the few dresses on this list that look stellar paired with any shoe from sneakers to stilletos. Spend the day channeling your inner hipster in white Adidas or Chuck Taylors then slide on some strappy sandals for a dressier aesthetic.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Pinstripe Double Breasted Blazer Dress by Marella
$395 at the time of publication
This double breasted suit dress by Marella is freaking to-die-for and it doesn’t take much to dress it up or down. The decision of ankle boots vs heels can change everything with this dress.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Striped Flare Hem Shirt Dress by Michael Kors
$195 at the time of publication
This striped form-fitting dress by Michael Kors is seriously chic and requires a mere shoe change to shift the whole vibe of the ensemble.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Checked Midi Pinafore Dress by Miss Selfridge
$75 at the time of publication
Depending on your work environment, this dress might not be the right choice based on the plunging neckline but it’s certainly a chic option for a night out! The higher the heel the more you’ll dress up this midi pinafore dress from Miss Selfridge.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Check Buttoned Midi Dress by Miss Selfridge
$79 at the time of publication
Super chic and mod this check buttoned midi dress provides so many options. Heels and a clutch with this dress offer a much different vibe than flats or loafers. The only thing you need to decide is which direction is the best fit for the occasion.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Juliette-Sleeve Sweater Dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA
$238 at the time of publication
A nod to the 60’s this dress is ultra mod and is giving us strong Jackie-O vibes. Or perhaps what we’re feeling is more Parisian artist with a French beret on her head. There’s a lot to unpack here. A clutch handbag and heels is perfect for cocktail hour with this dress.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Saturate A-Line Dress by ASTR The Label
$128 at the time of publication
This dress is providing all of the vintage feels with its frilly cut-off sleeves and a-line form. Go for the full-blown hipster aesthetic in this dress by sporting ankle boots and a cute jacket.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Gia A-Line Dress by Black Halo
$375 at the time of publication
A-line dresses like this Gia dress by Black Halo are seriously the most versatile dresses known to womankind. This is another flats vs heels scenario but add hand bags and gaudy jewelry to the mix for a truly upscale event.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com
PHOTO: COURTESY LORD AND TAYLOR
Panel Bell Sleeve Sheath Dress by Donna Karan
$129 at the time of publication
The entire feel of this outfit changes based on the type of heel you pair it with. A flat ankle boot makes for a more casual look while heels really spice up the ensemble.
This dress is available at lordandtaylor.com