We’ve all had those moments where we realize we’re not going to make it to our own bed for the night, whether it’s because you’re on a date or you’re out with your girlfriends and end the night in an impromptu sleepover. Either way, the next morning can be more than a little awkward when you don’t have anything you need to get through the morning ritual, whether that’s brunch, heading into the office or whatever else your day has to offer. You can’t just go around carrying a weekender bag full of gear for moments like these! But you can step up your game and know exactly how to rock an outfit and overnight bag that is on the DL when you think that there may be a potential for a particularly late night. Here is your guide to orchestrate a solid date night look and repurpose it for the next day without any sign of intending to set up shop for the evening ;)
Everything You Need for Both Looks
LBD Separates: Depending on the cut of the dress, you can get away with a one piece, but you want to make sure the sleeves won’t show under your next-day shirt. We recommend finding a dress with the top and pencil skirt separate so you can interchange the top portion out the next day.
Kimono/Scarf/Shawl: This piece should be big enough to act as an extra layer to wear over your shirt the next day, but also a thin enough fabric that it could serve as a scarf for your date-night outfit — the best way to keep warm without covering your sexy outfit too much!
Small Backpack/Hand Bag: The idea with this piece is that you can either wear it as a backpack for a more casual vibe or hold it as a handbag, which gives off a more classy feel. You don’t want anything too large — that would be a giveaway that you’re packed to spend the night.
Mid-Height Booties: For shoes, it’s best to go for a more chunky mid-height heel, since you will be wearing them back-to-back and won’t be able to ditch the shoes if they hurt your feet. Opt for an open-toe bootie for an even more versatile styling option.
A Wrinkle Free T-Shirt/Tank: Since you’ll be rolling this up into a small space, you need something that can be balled up without wrinkling.
Accessories: The best way to switch up a look is to double down on your accessories. Here you can see there are several different pieces, including bracelets, rings, necklaces, sunglasses and sheer socks (to be layered with the open-toe shoes).
Beauty Bag: Keep it simple and mini. Your makeup bag can get heavy. This is the time to bust out your favorite pieces from your holiday gift sets you may have received and stow them away in a mini beauty bag along with your travel-size toiletry essentials.
Makeup pro tip: Be sure to pack two different lipsticks to make your looks vary — it’s a simple way to switch it up without having too many products in your bag.
Bring Your Date Night Look to Life
For this look I decided to wear these Steve Madden Tildaa Leather Booties ($130) paired with this amazing Black Crop Top + Midi Skirt Sweater Set ($98) from Topshelf Style. This particular dress is a sweater material, so it’s warm and cozy while highlighting your sexy silhouette with cut-out details at the waist. I have all the goods for my next-day outfit packed inside my Mossimo Fringe Backpack Handbag ($30) that I scored at Target! For my makeup and hair, I decided to wear waves that would repurpose well the next day, and I kept my makeup to a pink smokey eye paired with chocolate lip in Melted Chocolate Liquified Lipstick by Too Faced in Chocolate Honey ($21).
Loving the cut-out details on the back of this look as well. Now, on to accessories.
You can see these accessories are simple, yet offer a little pop of color and dress the look up quite a bit. You can really go anywhere with your accessories as long as they make you feel gorgeous! I chose a gemstone and gold theme.
If you get cold you can wear a kimono as a scarf so you don’t have to cover up your outfit. This is also a great way to add a pop of color to your look. This particular piece, which you can see fully in the next look, comes from a line that Joanna Segult custom makes from recycled saris out of India. To inquire for purchase, contact her directly on her Instagram handle @littlehawkthomas.
Beauty Bag Breakdown
This could vary depending on your personal needs, but here’s a list of the general products that I recommend keeping on hand.
– Too Faced Better Than Sex Mini Mascara ($12): One of my favorites! This travel-size mascara packs a punch for your eyelashes, and that name tho!
– Smashbox Double Exposure Travel Palette ($24): A dream palette and little secret — I use this on the daily! Every hue you could need, all in a mini pack.
– Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette ($15): Your bronzer, blush and highlighter all up in one little case.
– Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Travel Size ($24): If you can’t find a version of your foundation that’s mini, simply squeeze some of it into a travel-size container.
– Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighter ($42): Not a travel size, but small and compact and works wonders as a concealer.
– Sephora Collection Eye Pencil to Go ($6): Any mini eyeliner will do, but this line is priced well and the pigment is great.
– Benefit Cosmetics Brow Zings Eyebrow Shaping Kit ($32): You can always take your look to the next level with a little eyebrow love. This mini kit has just what you need and won’t take up too much space.
– Sprayco Microban Travel Toothbrush ($2): I love that this toothbrush closes up so the head of the brush is not exposed to everything else in your bag.
– Sensodyne ProNamel Gentle Travel Toothpaste ($2): This toothpaste is mini and thinner than most travel toothpastes, and I like that it’s for sensitive teeth!
– Fig + Yarrow Apothecary Face Kit ($74): I pulled out my favorites from this pack and stuffed them in here. Your skincare can always be added to mini containers if you can’t find travel size versions.
– Sephora Collection Deluxe Antibacterial Brush Set ($62): I actually packed my full-size brushes, because they don’t take up that much space.
On to the Next Day!
I ended up finding this awesome Cafe S’il Vous Plait Tee by Day Dreamer ($58) from the same boutique I got the dress. It rolls up nicely and wears well with a pencil skirt. Now you can see the kimono in full action. (Psst: this kimono is great to rock solo in the morning while romping around your boo’s house!) You can see how much the shoe region shifted gears by adding a pair of Look from London Walk of Fame Sheer Socks ($13) to the mix! For my hair and makeup, I went a cat eye paired with a bright pink lip in Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick by Too Faced in Melted Candy ($21).
My favorite feature of this bag, aside from the fringe, is that it’s a discreet backpack!
To make this look more casual, I have a pair of sunglasses, some beaded bangles and a glitter fabric hair band to throw my hair up in a half top knot, which is a great second-day hair option.
There you have it! The best thing about the idea behind this look is the approach. You just need to think ahead and get a little creative with your looks. You can switch this up to anything that suits your style as long as you stick to the idea presented here. No more walk of shame going on here, ladies!! You’re welcome ;)
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Styling and Production: Misty Spinney
Photography: Kurt Andre
