Welcome back to the Velvet Runway and this post about How to Style One top Three ways to maximise cost per wear.

When I first saw this pale blue silk top across a crowded French Connection, it was love at first sight, and even better, it was 50% off. So really, it was inevitable it would end up in my wardrobe.

However, there’s nothing worse than having a favourite top and never the occasion to wear it, so a key test to apply to your sales purchases is the ‘versatility’ test. When it comes to fashion, I love switching the styling of an outfit to recreate a different look or wearing something a different way to change its appearance, so I gave myself the challenge of styling this top in three different ways, from casual holiday wear to dressing it up for an evening out.

Furthermore, styling a staple piece, such as this simple top, in numerous ways reduces your clothes’ cost per wear and that’s got to be good for your purse (and also the environment – in the spirit of recycling!)

Like a simple white tee, this top is so versatile that you can easily use it to transform an outfit from the office to a night out, simply by changing your accessories.

Read on for three ways to style a silk top : Casual, work and day to night.

One top three ways

So for today’s outfit post, I have styled this really classic pale blue silk tank top in three different ways! Actually, my styling options are very conservative as I was limited by the clothes I had with me on holiday, but if I had had access to my full wardrobe, then I think it would be possible to style this top in around 10 different ways!

With a maxi skirt

Styling One top three ways
Blue silk top and maxi skirt
One top three ways

For my casual look, I could easily have paired this top with denim shorts or jeans, and it would have worked really well – try it if you don’t believe me!

Maxi skirt

However, I love wearing maxi skirts in the summer, as they are so comfortable and this one (from Forever 21) meets all my criteria for a casual look; including an elasticated waist (so I can eat as much as I like!)

One top three ways

I could have added a belt (and I would have if I had been going out for the evening). In fact, you could easily adapt this look to go out by changing the accessories – add a belt and a clutch and swap the flat sandals for heels and you’re good to go!

 With a straight skirt and heels

Blue silk top and floral skirt
One top three ways

Smarten it up by tucking it into a high-waisted straight skirt, adding some simple jewellery and your choice of heels to add a bit of glamour.

 With a simple silk skirt 

Silk top and silk skirt
One top three ways
One top three ways

For my last look, I paired the silk top with a simple silk skirt from ‘Sud Express‘ and block heel sandals (also from French Connection – no longer available).

One top three ways

So, remember when you invest in a staple piece, make sure to ‘shop your closet‘ and find a whole new range of outfits! You can have a look here for more of our style features.