budget,  fashion,  inspired by,  winter

Vest as a Dress: Inspired by IdoDeclaire

February 17, 2025 /

Laura from I do DeClaire shared several ways to wear her vest in a post in December. She categorized hers as a trench dress. Mine is thicker and I bought it on clearance at TJMaxx a couple years ago. I have worn is open as a vest several times and never would have thought to wear it as a dress, but it works!

I decided to wear this at my friend’s book launch party as I wanted to wear something warm as the temperature were hovering in the low 20s with a wind-chill. The party was hosted at a coffee shop in Chattanooga which is a 1h30 drive from my house.

The book is titled A Brilliant Convergence: A Sparkling Regency Mystery and can be found on Amazon here. The suggestion was to wear your favorite or sparkly clothes, so I translated that with my jewelry. I am wearing a pair of shiny earrings, a necklace from my grandmother and some bead bracelets that sparkle! The smallest bracelet was something my husband found at an antique shop.

For warmth, I wore some fleece lined tights and sock and I am wearing a bodysuit under the trench vest. The vest itself is thick and warm. I switched out the belt that matches the vest for thrifted one that has a little burgundy in it. The thin scarf is a souvenir from the Republic of Georgia.

Rachel had a great little craft perfect for adults and kids. We were able to make bookmarks complete with a lighthouse stamp, colors and tassel. She sold some copies of her book and signed them. I had actually won a copy of it on her IG page and started reading it as soon as I got home. I love her way with words: I really can imagine the setting through her words and it does take place in the regency era which is one of my favorites to read about.

I was glad I was able to make the drive to Chattanooga. I am always amazed how fast the ride is and listening to a podcast on the way made the drive even faster! Rachel and I met through IG about 3 years ago and meet up a few times a year as our schedules (and kids schedules) allow. We love to thrift together!

Amazing how genuine IG friendship can become! There are a few of my blogger friends that I would love to meet in the future if I ever travel to their states.

I’ve had these boots for about 5 years now. I love the height of the heel, the color and the back detail. They are really well made and if I remember correctly I had purchased them from Sole Society. Have you tried to wear a jacket or a long vest like this as a dress before. I was surprised that I did not feel the need to add a slip under despite the vest only having 2 buttons to button. I feel very comfortable in it!

And here is Laura’s outfit: she had many ways that she wore it as a dress, but this is the one that I took inspiration from with the belt, boots and contrasting top.

A bientôt!

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