Every bride aims to choose bridesmaid dresses that can be worn again, but, let’s face it, most bridesmaid dresses never leave the closet after the wedding. (Although it must be said that Thread’s dresses really are cute enough to wear again and again. Not that we’re biased or anything.) In these sad economic times, however, it just doesn’t make sense to drop $300 on a dress and never wear it again. What to do, ladies?

We at Thread suggest taking a page from the forever-chic Holly Golightly (as depicted by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, but you knew that, right?). You see, the thing about bridesmaid dresses is that they are by nature basic in color and silhouette, which means that adding a certain coat or special shoes can utterly transform any ol’ bridesmaid dress out there.

So, the next time you have a fabulous dinner or cocktail party, unearth that bridesmaid dress from last summer. Make like Holly and add a statement necklace, some superhigh heels, and a classic trench. The result? You guessed it–fabulous.

(Thread dress, Old Navy trench, Renata Spacedyed necklace, Christian Louboutin heels)