When It Comes To Dressing Up, Two Pieces Are Better Than One
With a million formal obligations on the calendar this season — proms, weddings, meet-the-parents dinners — you have a lot to get gussied up for. And don’t forget the less-formal but still-presentable one-offs: your college roommate’s baby shower; the 4/20 potluck with all of your ambitious home-chef friends; your bestie’s 4th of July barbecue. You might not go hog wild here, but it would nice to have something kinda fresh, right? While it’s tempting to immediately type “cute dress” into Google, but hold that thought — we have an idea.
What if, for the price of a single dress, you could get two items — a top and a bottom that would function independently and as a team? If you're anything like us, you’d jump for joy. We love the idea of wearing a two-piece dress to the next party, and then splitting up the pieces and letting them liven up our existing wardrobes. Maybe you can use the top to dress up jeans, or combine the bottom with a boxy fashion button-down. And when one purchase will result in essentially three outfits, it takes a lot of the guesswork out of dressing for your social obligations this summer. Scroll through to find the two-piece that’s going to be your number one warm-weather companion.
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This serious shade of teal is the perfect counterpoint to a sexy silhouette.
Nasty Gal Keep Knit Together Crop Top and Skirt Set, $25, available at Nasty Gal
A slick satin finish makes this Topshop number shine.
Topshop Olive Satin Crop Top and Midi Skirt Set, $120, available at Topshop
Teeny-tiny white flowers dancing across black rayon makes this beachy set evening-friendly.
Tiare Hawaii Hollie Top & Dakota Skirt Set, $99, available at Shopbop
An asymmetrical crop top is a summer must-have — and a matching mini skirt? Even better. At $66, we declare this set official bang for your buck.
Superdown Kolena Asymmetrical Set in White, $66, available at Revolve
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The kind of dress you want to throw in your carry-on and whisk away on a spontaneous, tropical getaway.
Lulus Carnation Crush Floral Print Two-Piece Dress, $74, available at Lulus
We couldn’t let our round-up end without presenting you with at least one leopard option — and this Reformation set does not disappoint. Look closely — it's a bodysuit-and-skirt combo. We’re so excited for the endless summer dressing possibilities here.
Reformation Sadelle Two Piece, $128, available at Reformation
OK, we may have fudged this one a bit — this John Zack number does contain pants. However, we couldn’t resist its throwback charm — and with a peplum waist and wide-legged silhouette, it is most definitely chic enough to party in.
John Zack Wide Leg Pants, $40, available at ASOS
John Zack Wrap Front Top, $56, available at ASOS
Black lace is a classic choice; a sheer two-piece set is a subversive one. Inhabit the best of both worlds in this party-friendly set.
Dress The Population Juliana Two Piece Dress, $298, available at Amazon
The seemingly demure combination of pencil skirt and cropped tee sizzles when rendered in a shiny, evening-friendly shade of rust.
Pretty Little Thing Plus Rust Textured Short Sleeve Crop Top, $22, available at Pretty Little Thing
Pretty Little Thing Rust Textured Split Detail Midi Skirt, $32, available at Pretty Little Thing
Love this Fame and Partners silhouette? It's available in twenty colors, should you want to go down a decision-making rabbit hole.
Fame and Partners Round Neck Two Piece Dress, $199, available at Fame and Partners
This delicate, embroidered Free People set looks like a spot-on Rose Bowl find.
Free People Sweet Surrender Set, $168, available at Free People
If you’re not totally comfortable with the idea of a set, trying playing with the illusion of one. This two-piece lining of this Bardot dress is attached to the mesh overlay, so your wardrobe will stay put all night long.
Bardot Bardot Dobby Trim Dress, $62.55, available at Zappos
Lilly Pulitzer brings her signature throwback preppy chic to a party-friendly crop top and wrap skirt set.
Lilly Pulitzer Jemma Crop Top & Maxi Wrap Skirt Set, $248, available at Nordstrom
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