An event like a wedding or birthday party is such a great excuse to buy a new dress. Follow the dress code but make sure your new dress isn’t a one-hit-wonder. Choose a versatile solid color dress in one of this season’s newest neon colors. Do you prefer prints? I’ll show you more than one way to wear prints versus neutrals.

Highlight Her Colors

From the Oscars to the runways neon colors are popping up everywhere.

Start with a solid color that works with your skin tone and is a flattering fit for your body type, not just Beyonce’s. Neon pink looks good on most women. Check out this style from Farm Rio.

Farm Rio is usually known for its bold prints, but this solid color style has such flattering lines you don’t need much more than a great pair of nude shoes and simple updated jewelry like a tennis necklace, loop earrings, ear cuff, and stacking rings.

Under $175

Wear this tiered maxi dress with wedges and a raffia clutch for a daytime event like a baby shower or graduation. Don’t let this mini strapless dress intimidate you. When you’re not wearing her with heels you can dress her down with a classic crew neck t-shirt. Still too much skin? Try her styled as a tunic top over flare leg jeans.

Style any of these dresses for day or night just like you would a little black dress.

Belts and Blazers

The most flattering layer over any of these dresses is a lightweight white blazer. This one from L’agence is my favorite and comes in a super cool white-on-white version this year. If you want the look for less try this one from Amazon I shared here in my white blazer video review.

A solid color dress makes the perfect backdrop for a designer chain belt. Don’t be sticker shocked because, like your dress, these belts can do double duty…as a necklace! Check it out HERE.

Reto Print Dresses

Here’s how to wear a print dress in just as many ways as you would a solid. It helps if you choose a fabric and style that’s easy to dress up or down like these.

Dress Code for Day

You can give your dress a more casual vibe by trading out your classic nude shoes and polished blazer for wedges and a wrap or vest.

If you’re not a fan of a bold multicolor print try a subtler two-tone version instead.

The Ultimate Dress Styling Hack

You can create a totally different look with the same dress. Try these four accessory styling sets that start with your shoes.

Click HERE to watch how I styled this retro print Ted Baker dress in two totally different ways.

White on White

Monochromatic

Raffia

Clear