You only need seven pieces of clothing to make a whole week's worth of outfits. Check out the seven pieces we chose, then how we styled them to work over seven days.



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Outfit #1: Dress + Skirt
A dress can be so much more than just a dress when you bring the art of layering into the mix. Take a voluminous maxi or midi skirt and layer it over top. Make sure your frock is shorter than the skirt so it won't peek out when you sit down.

Fringed earrings, $90, jcrew.com. Leather circle bag, $150, and bracelet, $50, bananarepublica.ca. Belt, $18, hm.com/ca. Leopard-print shoes, $48, ninewest.ca.



Outfit #2: Jacket + Dress
Button the jacket and, for all anyone can tell, the dress has transformed into a skirt. Finish the look with a bold patterned belt, a playful circular bag and black wedges.

Earrings, $10, and faux-snakeskin belt, hm.com/ca. Leather circle bag, $150, bananarepublica.ca. Nine West shoes, $125, townshoes.ca.



Outfit #3: Jacket + Jeans
No shirt? No problem. This safari-style jacket is thin enough to masquerade as a shirt. Belt the waist, pop the collar and add a pair of dark-wash jeans. Ground the look with a wild pair of leopard pumps.

Stud earrings, $45, bananarepublic.ca. Leopard-print shoes, $48, ninewest.ca.



Outfit #4: Dress
Some pieces are so special they don't need a supporting cast, and this structured silk dress is one of those star garments. Add extra polish with a sleek statement necklace, an oversize metallic clutch and black heels.

Necklace, $15, hm.com/ca. Misha Nonoo x Aldo clutch, $65, aldoshoes.com. Bracelet, $50, bananarepublic.ca. Nine West shoes, $125, townshoes.ca.



Outfit #5: Shirt + Skirt
Free you button-down blouse from the 9-to-5 zone by having it moonlight on weekends. Give it a less structured, more ethereal appearance by teaming it with a textured white midi skirt. The light palette is pretty and refreshing.

Earrings, $10, hm.com/ca. Misha Nonoo x Aldo clutch, $65, aldoshoes.com. Bracelet, $50, bananarepublic.ca. Leopard-print shoes, $48, ninewest.ca.



Outfit #6: Cardigan + Shirt + Pants
When in doubt, put on a pair of personality pants. Team them with an easy button-down and a cashmere cardigan wrapped and belted for a nod to robe dressing. Choose neutral accessories to keep the outfit subdued.

Fringed earrings, $90, jcrew.com. Belt, $18, hm.com/ca. Watch, $35, swatch.com. Handbag, $180, winners.ca. Nine West shoes, $125, townshoes.ca.



Outfit #7: Cardigan + Shirt + Jeans
Add layers to get more mileage from jeans. The soft pink top paired with the heather-grey cashmere cardigan is a sweet balance to the dark skinny jeans. Pump up the look with jewellery such as a costume necklace and a watch.

Floral necklace, $11, forever21.com. Watch, $135, swatch.com. Handbag, $180, winners.ca. Leopard-print shoes, $48, ninewest.ca.

The transformers
There are certain accessories every woman should own to help reinvent her spring wardrobe favourites. From a playful bag to a stately pair of pumps, here are 10 items that can transform your attire.



Clockwise from top left: Leather circle bag, $150, bananarepublic.ca. Nine West shoes, $150, townshoes.ca. Necklace, $15, hm.com/ca. Fringed earrings, $90, jcrew.com. Stud earrings, $45, bananarepublic.ca. Handbag, $180, winners.ca. Bracelet, $50, bananarepublic.ca. Watch, $135, swatch.com. Leopard-print shoes, $48, ninewest.ca. Misha Nonoo x Aldo clutch, $65, aldoshoes.com.

Read more:
5 stylish sneakers you can wear everywhere
4 ways to wear a pastel skirt

This story was originally published in the May 2015 issue of Canadian Living.

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