I bought this dress during a trip to Brazil last year. I thought it would be great for summer—a light, flowy dress in a bright color that looks good on me.

But what really made me want this dress was its versatility. I imagined wearing it to a gala event at a conference in the Caribbean with gold jewelry and high heels, but also to a casual dinner by just changing the accessories.

Last weekend, I saw the American Ballet Theatre at Lincoln Center in NYC on a very hot day. I wore it with raffia flatform sandals and a leather handbag. The jewelry I chose—a fun blue-green beaded pair of earrings—created a complementary color combination with the red-orange dress, making the outfit less formal and more creative.

My advice is to always consider whether a piece is versatile and can be worn in different ways before you buy it. This way, you will build a curated wardrobe that suits your lifestyle.

Read more:

• Two ways of styling a dress

Hi, I’m Marcia Crivorot, a Personal Stylist based in NY. I send newsletters with style tips, brands to know, and products twice a month. Unlock previous editions of my newsletters and receive my emails firsthand by subscribing.

Disclosure: Remember that I link products and companies based on their quality, my personal opinion, my experience, and my professional expertise. Some of the links in my posts are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. The decision is yours, and whether or not you buy something is entirely up to you.