How to Style an Olive-Green Dress from Work to Weekend + 9 Affordable Dresses
Springtime means lots of pastel colors but we all love a solid dress in a neutral color, right? Getting away from pastel colors (since you’ve seen them VERY often on my blog recently), I’m styling an olive-green dress from work to weekend! This is another an old piece that I actually share with my twin sister and when I saw it in her closet recently, I thought it would be perfect for discussing a spring style tip!
Note: This post may contain affiliate links; full disclosures HERE. This means, purchasing an item through one of my links may earn me a small commission without affecting your own purchase. Thank you for supporting Petite Style Script & helping it continue as an educational resource.
Shop the Post (click image):
As I’ve discussed in my blog post on transitioning casual to business casual clothing options (read post here), there are a few factors that go into transitioning the same piece or substituting items to work for both environments. To simplify that information, you can either purchase a piece that functions in both settings or substitute different accessories such as shoes to align with each environment.
Today, I will be styling an olive-green dress that works well in both settings. This is a similar discussion to when I talked about styling a chambray dress from casual to work settings a couple weeks ago (read the blog post)!
Tips for Choosing a Solid-Colored Dress for Work and Weekend:
- Neckline: Appropriate necklines will be essential for wearing a dress to work. One style I love is a button-up neckline so you can easily adjust it when you’re at work versus wearing the dress with friends. This olive-green dress features ~6 buttons to adjust.
- Hemline: Just like necklines, the hemline is important for wearing the dress to work. I prefer a hemline that hits just above the knee or not more than 2 inches above the knee. This dress is a little shorter than I remember but does hit ~2 inches above the knee and is appropriate for work.
- Add Interest: A solid-colored dress can be a little “plain” for some women. To add a little interest to the design, consider different textures or accents to the dress. This can include one of my favorites such as scallop detailing (read my blog post about this), belted waists or cinched waistline and pleated details. This particular dress includes a subtle pleated detail on the chest and a cinched waistline to accent different body types.
Work Outfit: Olive-Green Dress
I decided to stay neutral with this dress to ensure I wouldn’t complete with it’s gorgeous olive-green color. I opted for taupe colors and added my go-to versatile cardigan from NIC+ZOE. Head over to read all about this 4-way cardy and how to style it (with a video). I opted to wrap it and tuck in the buttons for this outfit. I think the v-neck design it creates at the neckline is very flattering and work-appropriate. Plus, this cardigan also comes in a lighter linen fabric for those in humid weather looking for a layer for spring and summer! I finished off the look with taupe bow heels, simple gold necklace and navy wallet clutch. I’ll toss this wallet in my work handbag as I head out the door for work!
Outfit Details:
Dress: Banana Republic XXSP (similar or similar)
Cardigan: NIC+ZOE Petite P (exact or similar + my blog post with video on styling 4 ways)
Heels: Cole Haan 5.5 (similar or similar + heel insert I use & no-show sock)
Handbag: Tory Burch (exact, my blog post on using it for 4 ways)
Weekend Outfit: Olive-Green Dress
I wanted to make the transition to weekend wear as easy as possible with this dress. I think it’s a great piece to wear after work to meet up with friends or enjoy happy hour so here are my simple changes. I took off the 4-way cardigan, changed from my bow heels to flat sandals, and added in my trusty sunglasses that are classic & polarized to protect or eyes (read more about them in this blog post)! I kept my wallet clutch for an easy clutch for going out.
Outfit Details:
Dress: Banana Republic XXSP (similar or similar)
Shoes: Target Lakitia Size 5.5 (similar or similar)
Handbag: Tory Burch (exact, my blog post on using it for 4 ways)
Sunglasses: Tory Burch (exact on sale or similar)
Read more Dress-Related Blog Posts:
- How to Style a Chambray Dress from Casual to Work Settings
- 2 Go-To Dresses for Any Occasion
- Spring and Summer Floral Watercolor Dress
- 5 Ways to Style a Wrap Dress
- 3 Ways to style a Sheath Dress
- How to Style a Bow Dress
Wasn’t that easy?! Do you own an olive-green dress or go-to solid colored dress for spring? Comment below please!
9 Affordable Solid Dresses (click image):
Head over to see my 33-Piece Spring Capsule Wardrobe and find more style tips by joining our Challenge! It’s already started but you’ll still receive the full 5-weeks of outfits, daily style tips, and weekly giveaways! Learn more here and purchase here.
Join the Spring Capsule Wardrobe Challenge Today! Get a Sneak Peak on this blog post!
Found this post helpful? Click the teal sharing buttons to share with a friend today!
My goal in 2018 is to reach 10,000 new women to inspire them to feel confident each day!
Follow my updates on Social Media & Subscribe to Emails
Twitter | Facebook Page | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest
8 Pieces to form 9 Outfit Ideas- Sign up now!
Jessica Louie, PharmD, APh, BCCCP is the CEO of Clarify, Simplify, Align and Host of The Burnout Doctor Podcast. Dr. Louie uses her signature Burnout Doctor Method to coach burned out pharmacists & professionals to simplify because work-life balance is a LIE. Align work into your life & break free from people pleasing, perfectionism and thrive in life on YOUR TERMS.