Photo: Call me extra, but I like to sift through sales and secondhand shops to find party pieces. Does my shopping habit take into account that we’re still living in a pandemic? No. Do I have any gala invitations in my inbox? No. Will that stop me from buying a full-length Dion Lee gown? Also no. For me, shopping is about crafting a wardrobe with one-of-a-kind pieces I can wear for years to come. Plus, the thrill of being able to whip out the perfect outfit for any party dress code is unmatched. Of course, I realize how rationalizing the need to have a feather dress on hand puts me in the slightly unrealistic territory, but I’m here to tell you it’s not just voyeurism. Having an assortment of casual party pieces can not only prepare you for a future where we can go back to gathering IRL more frequently (fingers crossed), but it’s also a way to inject a little shine into your daily life (which is necessary when circumstances are dreary). So in that vein, I’ve taken it upon myself to round up some of the most versatile party-ready staples and given tips on how to dress them down for everyday wear. These 18 casual party outfit ideas will make embracing your most extra self easier. Photo: WHAT: Minidress WEAR: Minidress + button-up blouse + knee-high boots Before you put that minidress you’re obsessed with in the back of your closet, please consider restyling it more casually. Doing something as simple as pairing it with a button-up blouse and knee-high boots can take it from sultry to stylish in one second. Photo: WHAT: Sparkly heels WEAR: Blazer + pajama set + sparkly heels While I’m a maximalist who will justify splurging on sparkly shoes on any given day, I know for a fact that my approach may be too much for others. But if you’ve found yourself needing a green light to justify buying or even re-wearing those sparkly shoes, consider this it. All you have to do is dress them down (i.e., pair them with pajamas or jeans and a cute top), and you’ve got the perfect outfit. Photo: WHAT: Sequin crop top WEAR: Sequin crop top + blazer + jeans + flats Now that you’re past the holiday party season, you’re probably looking at that sequin crop top and thinking, What on earth do I do with you? Don’t ditch the piece. Instead. think of it as a way to spice up your everyday uniform or your girls’ night ensemble. Pair it with jeans, a blazer, and flats, and you’ll be the belle of the local bar. Photo: WHAT: Feather top WEAR: Faux-fur coat + feather top + leather pants + sneakers You don’t have to clip your wings when it comes to wearing feathers for a casual gathering. Simply style them with wardrobe staples like leather pants, sneakers, and a coat, and you'll be feeling so fly. Photo: WHAT: Metallic pleated skirt WEAR: Metallic pleated skirt + sweater + knee-high boots Metallic pleated skirts are that holiday party staple that always comes back season after season for a good reason. They not only look good on everyone but also can be worn year-round. And while the styling possibilities for this party staple are endless, we recommend wearing a sweater and your knee-high boots, as it’s a surefire way to garner compliments. Photo: WHAT: Velvet blazer WEAR: Velvet blazer + bodysuit + jeans + heels When preparing for a party, it can be overwhelming to know what to wear, which is why opting for an all-black ensemble is always the move. Don't be fooled; black doesn't have to be boring. Just opt for a velvet blazer. This luxe fabric will take your go-to bodysuit and jeans to a new level. Photo: WHAT: Opera gloves WEAR: Opera gloves + black dress + sneakers If you’re anything like WWW editors, when opera gloves bubbled up as a trend on F/W 21 runways, you hopped right on the bandwagon. But if you’re unsure of how to re-style this accessory for everyday wear or more casual soirée’s, you’ll want to look to the ensemble above for inspiration. Gloves with a black dress and sneakers? It’s giving. Photo: WHAT: Metallic boots WEAR: Metallic boots + sweater + shorts As someone who recently just splurged on Simon Miller sequin knee-high boots, I can tell you firsthand that even I wasn't sure how to make disco-inspired shoes work in the daylight. But I’ve learned that it’s less about toning those statement boots down and more about letting them shine by styling them with basics (e.g., a pair of shorts and a sweater). Photo: WHAT: Tube dress WEAR: Faux-fur coat + tube dress + knee-high boots Unless you’re Carrie Bradshaw, making a tube dress rewearable for more casual situations can feel daunting. Luckily for you, the ensemble above can serve as a tutorial in re-styling the piece. Simply remember the key to pulling off a tube dress is layering. Add a faux-fur coat in the colder months or a trench in the warmer months ahead, and you’re good to go. Photo: WHAT: Shiny handbag WEAR: Shiny handbag + oversize shirtdress + flatform sandals We need to talk about the party staple that’s been poppin‘ off among the fashion set: shiny handbags. Whether it comes in the form of metallic, sequin, or rhinestone, this former party bag has become a mainstay in the fashion set’s wardrobe (in part thanks to Prada, Paco Rabanne, and Benedetta Bruzziches). But if you’re unsure how to inject shine into your daily life, just live by the following ethos: Metallics are neutrals. Pair your It bag with a fun, oversize button-up or jeans and a T-shirt, and watch how it adds dazzle to your everyday life. Photo: WHAT: Statement mules WEAR: Statement mules + wrap top + jeans So you treated yourself to a pair of statement heels—now what? Remember that they’re an investment piece that can be worn time and time again for any party. Should the occasion be casual, you can’t go wrong pairing them with jeans and a cute wrap top. Photo: WHAT: Party minidress WEAR: Party minidress + cowboy boots Who doesn’t love an over-the-top party dress? But if you’re looking to get more than one wear out of that piece, don’t be afraid to whip it out for a casual get-together or even to run errands. Simply style it down with a pair of cowboy boots or sneakers, and you’ll be able to give that dress the limelight it deserves. Photo: WHAT: Sequin dress WEAR: Blazer + sequin dress + loafers That sequin dress you bought for the holiday season deserves more airtime. The simplest way to dress it down for a dinner party or casual social gathering is to pair it with basics. Throwing on a pair of loafers and a blazer will ensure you look polished without overdoing it. Photo: WHAT: Feather crop top WEAR: Feather crop top + jeans + sneakers You ever fantasize about walking into a party and people looking at you and thinking, Oh, she’s so chic and cool? Well, friends, if you want that to happen, then you’ll want to take your favorite pair of jeans and sneakers and dress them up with a feather crop top. Wear this, and there’s no denying that you are the main character. Photo: WHAT: Sequin button-up WEAR: Blazer + sequin button-up + biker shorts + knee-high boots I'll let you in on a little secret: Sequins aren’t just for special occasions; they’re a staple piece. Don’t be afraid to dress down a sequin button-up top with biker shorts, blazers, and boots for a more casual get-together. Not only will it add the perfect amount of luxe to your look, but you’ll be so comfortable. Photo: WHAT: Sheer dress WEAR: Sheer dress + button-up + leggings + heels If you’re anything like us, celebrity style can influence you to jump on some risqué trends, like naked dresses. Of course, buying a sheer dress may cause regrets because who else can pull off a naked number like Rihanna? But before you return it, why not rework it into a more casual ensemble by pairing it with a button-up and jeans? You’ll get the sheer effect without as much skin in the game. Photo: WHAT: Sequin skirt WEAR: Sequin skirt + T-shirt + heels Sequin skirts are that staple that bubbles back up every holiday season, and while they’re great for a variety of occasions, it’s important to remember that you can wear this piece well into the New Year. A simple way to dress it down for a casual setting is by pairing it with a T-shirt. Photo: WHAT: Metallic dress WEAR: Metallic dress + sneakers For everyone (fashion editors included), finding ways to rewear fancy party pieces can be challenging at times, but the main takeaway should be don't be afraid to wear what’s in your wardrobe. There are no rules when it comes to wearing your party pieces, so if you decide to wear a metallic dress with sneakers just to go to the bodega, then that’s your prerogative. Next: 10 Going-Out Outfits That Would Be Perfect for a House Party
RICHMOND, VA (VR) — On August 10, 2022, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Oldcastle APG, the second largest manufacturer of lawn and garden products in North America, is renovating a vacant building in the City of Suffolk into one of the company’s most technologically advanced manufacturing operations. This will be the company’s second Lawn & Garden operation in the Commonwealth, alongside Mountain Materials in Russell County, and will lead to major new investment, and the creation of 28 new jobs. The company is also committing to purchase 80 percent of all forest products from Virginia forest land owners. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project. “When the nation’s leading manufacturers are choosing to locate new facilities in Virginia, it demonstrates the success we are having in reinvigorating job growth and making Virginia an attractive place to do business,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “I am thrilled this international company is choosing to grow its presence in Virginia and thank them for the new jobs and economic opportunity they are bringing to the City of Suffolk.” “Forestry is Virginia’s third largest private industry, bringing an economic impact of more than $21 billion to the Commonwealth each year and supporting more than 108,000 jobs across the state,” said Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Matthew Lohr. “Virginia’s loggers, mills and landowners need strong markets for every part of the tree in order to drive our forestry industry forward. That is why I am grateful to Oldcastle APG for this investment and the major new market the facility will create for bark, chips and other co-products from our lumber and paper industries.” “Virginia has long served as an important foothold for our business in the Commonwealth and throughout the entire mid-Atlantic region,” said Joe Ertel, President, Oldcastle Lawn & Garden, a division of Oldcastle APG. “We are so appreciative of the opportunities Oldcastle APG has with Virginia and the City of Suffolk to continue growing our business and enhance our outdoor living solutions while mutually benefitting the local community.” “The expansion of Oldcastle Lawn and Garden into Suffolk is an exciting announcement for our city and the economic impact it will have on our community is tremendous,” said Mayor Mike Duman. “We are appreciative of the 28 jobs this creates in Suffolk.” “Senate District 14 welcomes Oldcastle APG to the City of Suffolk,” said Senator John Cosgrove. “We are grateful for the company’s investment in our community and applaud the reuse of an existing structure for its new mulch and garden soils manufacturing facility.” “We are pleased Oldcastle APG chose to locate their newest and most advanced manufacturing operation in the City of Suffolk,” said Delegate Clinton Jenkins. “Suffolk’s central location in Hampton Roads and the overall mid-Atlantic region provides excellent market access for favorable growth in the future and we look forward to celebrating their success.” Headquartered in Atlanta, GA, Oldcastle APG’s Lawn & Garden division employs over 1,100 employees across 43 manufacturing sites in the U. S. The company will work with area mills, loggers and tree service businesses to source approximately 80% of its forest product needs from the Commonwealth, which includes Virginia grown logs, bark and pulpwood products over the next three years. The company will convert this material into a variety of premium garden soils, potting mixes and mulches, either bagged for retail sale at major retailers throughout the mid-Atlantic or for bulk sale to commercial landscapers and nurseries. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Suffolk to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Youngkin approved a $50,000 grant from the Governor’s Agriculture and Forestry Industries Development (AFID) Fund, which is administered by VDACS, to win the project for the Commonwealth. The City of Suffolk’s Economic Development Authority is matching the AFID award with local funds. The Virginian Review has been serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County since 1914. The Virginian Review has been serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County since 1914. Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *