Practicing Restraint to Build an Impactful Look

Styling can feel really chaotic if you do not have a styling plan in place. Particularly in event styling, where you present your most idealized self, it can be tempting to go over the top in order to create a proud fashion moment. In the notes below, I’m going to explain to you how practicing styling restraint can actually build the biggest look.

Here’s how I approached styling this Magda Butrym dress from an event I attended last week:

Identified the visual priority This dress is so impactful, it would be a disservice to interrupt the fluidity of it. This dress is the styling center and all further decisions are centered around this piece. Period.
Defined a tight color palette In order to protect the visual impact of this dress, I kept the palette tight and tonal (carried throughout makeup and nails!) with silver accents and a shoe that matches my skin tone to continue the long line.
repeated shapes Taking cue from our centerpiece, I chose to repeat long lines from the overall dress shape and curvature from the rosettes (a Magda Butrym signature).

In this styling composition, the eye moves through the fluidity of the fabric and the color palette and pauses at textural differences; the metallic weave of the Bottega Veneta Knot Minaudiere and the shiny patent leather of the Valentino platform.

Let me finish with, this is not the “right” or only way to style and I do see alternative styling options that would include concepts like contrasts or layering, but this is the result of working within a styling plan.

This dress is sold out but you can shop similar pieces below!