blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

The Magnificent 8 are Outside the Box

January 27, 2021 / 46 Comments
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

“If you build a wall to separate people, there will be those who find a way around the wall, or over it, or under it, or through it. We humans are not meant to be contained, and neither are our thoughts.”

Teresa R. Funke

And building from that, our personal style and creativity should never be contained either. That’s why The Magnificent 8 has chosen Outside the Box as our theme this month. We have all created outfits wearing something not as it was originally intended to be worn. For example, my dress is not a dress at all. It is actually a lightweight trench coat that I styled as a dress. I simply layered a thin black shirt dress underneath for adequate coverage and warmth, buttoned up and belted tight my jacket and turned it into a dress.

blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

One thing I have learned by getting creative with my clothing is to never limit yourself to the intended purpose of an article of clothing. In fact, never limit the use of any elements in your home! I once wore a vintage curtain as a skirt. And no, I am definitely not so talented that I crafted a skirt from a vintage curtain. I merely wrapped the darn thing around my waist and secured it with twine! Then I added an oversized tunic style top to conceal my hack. That was back when I was in high school over 30 years ago and I do wish I had a photograph to share.

It was quite the outfit. The curtain was really magnificent. I found it at a yard sale for fifty cents. It was heavy cotton in a really obnoxious 70’s floral print in browns, oranges, and yellows. It was trimmed with tan tassels which became the hem of my makeshift maxi skirt simply by folding it half with the fringes along the bottom and wrapping it around my body.

blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Some other ways of outside the box styling that I have tried include wearing a robe as a dress, a scarf as a skirt, a scarf as a belt, a dress as a jacket, a shirt as a dress, a dress as a skirt, a swimsuit cover as a tunic, a dress as a tunic, a kimono as a dress, a bralette as a tank top, a sleeveless dress as a vest, a corset as a top, a football jersey as a dress, an oversized sweater as a dress, or a kimono as a swimsuit cover. As you can see, the options are limitless. As long as you stay outside the box.

I have never been one to appreciate boxes. I have lived my entire life outside the box, in between boxes, being crushed by boxes. I have never fit inside any box that I climbed into willingly or was forced into. So I have learned to find my way in between the boxes and on the outskirts of Boxlandia. It used to be kind of lonely out here, but I have encountered lots of wonderful and amazing people outside the box. Some more folks should come visit us here…it is a very colorful and unique place!

blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Before I go, won’t you enjoy some thought-provoking quotes on this idea of boxes.

“’Thinking outside the box’ is ridiculous nonsense, since whatever you can do in a ‘box’ or closed environment is not ‘thinking’. If I ‘think’ about a problem but limit my thoughts to certain dimensions – then I am not thinking at all, because thinking implies that one at least tries to take all relevant factors into consideration, and as there’s usually no way to tell which factors are and which are not relevant restricted thought is not ‘thinking’ and so ‘thinking outside the box’ is simply a euphemism for ‘let’s start to think’, but the metaphor implies a hidden desire to return to conformity immediately.”

Martinus Hendrikus Benders

“Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a fucking sharp knife to it.”

Bansky

“You can’t force creatives into a box. If you try, they’ll no longer be creative. And no one will want your box.”

Ryan Lilly

“[M]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out of the common road.”

John Locke
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

“More important than having the Courage of your Convictions is to possess the courage to question your convictions. This is a great source of freedom. There is no ‘box to think outside of’ with true freedom.”

Timothy G. Cameron

“Thinking outside of the box is unnecessary when there are no boxes in your imagination.”

Matshona Dhliwayo

“Instead of thinking outside the box, get rid of the box.”

Deepak Chopra

Where do you prefer to live? Inside the boxes, outside the boxes, or somewhere in between?

blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge
blackwatch plaid trench coat as a dress, outside the box style, otk boots, fashion over 40, Shelbee on the Edge

Be sure to visit my magnificent friends to see how they have styled their Outside the Box looks.

The Magnificent 8

The Magnificent 8 is a collaboration among 8 stylish women, each in a different age bracket, ranging from early 20’s to early 80’s. The mission of this collaboration is to show you just how ageless style is, how we can each dress however we’d like and in ways that make us feel fabulous. There are no age restrictions on style. So wear what you want, when you want, add a smile, and strut your style with confidence.

Every quarter, we choose a theme and each create an outfit that suits our own personal tastes and fashion choices and we post them on the last Wednesday of every third month. So be sure to go check out everyone’s posts for lots of style inspiration at any age!

Let me introduce the ladies of The Magnificent 8.

Just click on each link to see how these lovely ladies have styled their outside of the box looks. And be sure to check back with us for our next post on April 28, 2021.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Outfit Details: Coat (as a Dress)-Torrid / Boots-JustFab / Hat-My Grandmother’s / Scarf and Brooch-Thrifted / Gloves-Gift from my Sister (Thrifted) / Earrings-Old

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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46 Comments

  • Michelle

    January 27, 2021 at 8:36 am Reply

    Your coat made a lovely dress! I am not one for wearing much plaid myself, but that particular one is my all time fave.

    Like you, I’ve never fit in any box – although when I was younger I used to try to find a box that would work. None did. None of my friends are box people.

    Oh, and I agree with Bansky!

    Michelle
    https://mybijoulifeonline.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 27, 2021 at 11:08 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Michelle! Blackwatch plaid is my very favorite plaid as well. But I do like all plaids. Never met one that I didn’t like! I have a Blackwatch plaid umbrella that I bought for myself in the 1990’s and it is still going strong and still my favorite umbrella! And you need a good umbrella when you don’t have a box for shelter! LOL

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Suzy

    January 27, 2021 at 10:21 am Reply

    Oh how I love this, Shelbee! You’re so incredibly creative, especially when it comes to style. I would have loved to have seen that skirt you created when you were younger. I laughed when you described the print as obnoxious lol! And here you are, wearing a jacket as a dress. I wouldn’t have known had you not said anything! You look fabulous. Those boots are gorgeous, as is the hat! You look beautiful…and happy!
    Big hugs
    Suzy

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 27, 2021 at 11:06 am Reply

      Thanks so much, my friend! This coat was another clearance find at Torrid from last year and this is the first time I have worn it. I love how it looks as a dress and it is just too pretty to only wear going to and from places! The story of my curtain skirt is a good one made even better when my little brother’s bus driver stopped to tell my mom that she saw me leaving for school and just loved my cool skirt! My mom chuckled and emphatically said to the bus driver, “It’s a curtain! Tied around her waist! A curtain! Can you believe it?” My mother always appreciated my eclectic style choices and often indulged me by sewing me things that I imagined in my head and could never find in stores. She died long before blogs even existed, but I think she would really enjoy this little space of mine! I wish I had pay more attention when she was teaching me how to sew and make my own clothing! And my hat was my grandmother’s and dates at least as far back as the 1960’s.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

      • Suzy

        January 27, 2021 at 11:09 am Reply

        Your mum sounds amazing. That’s something else we have in common. My mum died a long time ago too (I was only 13), and she liked to sew. I remember making clothes for my dolls while she made things for my sister and me when we were really little. Sigh.
        xxx

        • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

          January 27, 2021 at 11:37 am Reply

          Aw, Suzy, your mom sounds amazing, too! And I used to love to make doll clothes. I would cut out the patterns and hand sew the clothing. I found it a very relaxing activity as well even into my 20’s. I would make doll clothes and give them away or donate them. I haven’t done that in years. Thanks for the sweet memory!

          xoxo
          Shelbee

  • Nancy

    January 27, 2021 at 11:28 am Reply

    I think this looks probably better as a dress then as a trench. I love these colors with tartan. And I would have loved to see you on that curtain!

  • jodie filogomo

    January 27, 2021 at 6:34 pm Reply

    You certainly figured out a great idea here Shelbee!! I remember a sales associate suggestion this exact same idea one time, and I thought I’d NEVER do it. Yet I have, and it’s brilliant really. Especially because so many dresses are sleeveless and in the winter that’s just not practical!!
    This was such a fun theme!!!
    XOOX
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 27, 2021 at 6:40 pm Reply

      Thanks so much, Jodie! This was a super fun theme and I totally knew that this group would deliver the most creative styling tricks ever! And y’all did. I didn’t realize how often I style pieces not as they were originally intended until I started adding links to the times I have done this. Creative expression is so much fun, isn’t it?!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Mica

    January 27, 2021 at 9:02 pm Reply

    That’s a beautiful tartan coat and I love the green and blue colours together! It works so well as a dress and looks fantastic on you! It’s good to think outside the box and try things a little differently sometimes!

    The quotes were really good and the links to other outside the box styling ideas was a great one I wish I’d used on my post! 🙂

    Hope that your week is going well 🙂

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 27, 2021 at 9:39 pm Reply

      Mica, thank you so much! This was such a fun styling challenge and I really love how we each had completely unique ideas! I find it so much easier to think outside the box in general, so I just had the best time with this. You should just edit your post and add a little paragraph at the end linking to your other outside the box styles! The time consuming part is searching through all your posts to find them. But I think it’s worth the time because sometimes I refer back to my own blog for ideas and I just enjoy looking back through old posts sometimes. Now we have to start thinking of a theme/challenge for April!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 27, 2021 at 9:24 pm Reply

      Awwwww, thanks so much, Roxanne! You are so sweet! This idea came to me in the shower one morning (I do my best thinking in the shower) and I could not wait to pitch it out to the group as a theme! I knew you all would absolutely bring some serious creativity to the challenge and you all did. I love how we all did something different as well…a coat as a dress (me), a dress as a coat (Eugenia), earrings as shoe adornments (you), a cardigan as a scarf/wrap (Rena), a scarf as a skirt (Grace), a dress as a shirt (Mica), a dress as a kimono (Mica), a scarf as a belt (Charlotte), a shirt as a scarf (Jodie), and a skirt as a dress (Lesley). Not one single idea repeated itself! All were complete originals which is why I love, love, love the diversity of this group!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Helena

    January 28, 2021 at 1:38 am Reply

    I absolutely love plaid. This trench coat reminds me of a dress I made long ago that was this color of plaid, same style. It had a velvet collar and velvet cuffs. I loved it so much. I really wish I had it now! 2 thumbs up for this awesome look!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 28, 2021 at 10:00 am Reply

      Thank you so much, Helena! Your dress sounds amazing! I love the idea of a velvet collar and cuffs on it. I bet it was beautiful! I had a similar plaid dress to this one when I was in high school and I think it also had some sort of velvet trim on it. It was my favorite and I kind of wish I still had it (although it would never fit me now)!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Eugenia R Hargrove

    January 28, 2021 at 3:59 am Reply

    Shelbee,
    You knocked the “out of the box” Magnificent 8 style challenge idea out of the park. As you mentioned in the email to everyone, we all created viable looks worthy of “out of the box’ thinking, especially Grace’s pink scarf.

    And your coat is superb; plaid is the perfect classic look that you rocked with your accessories.

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 28, 2021 at 9:53 am Reply

      Thanks so much, Eugenia! This was such a fun challenge and I knew you all would bring your A games! Grace’s pink fuzzy scarf skirt is fabulous! Didn’t your daughter wear a similar pink furry skirt when she met up with us in NYC? And your leather on leather look was just magnificent! I am looking forward to the next challenge in April! We have to think of a really good one!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Sheila (of Ephemera)

    January 28, 2021 at 4:59 pm Reply

    What a fun challenge, Shelbee! You aced it in this amazing coat-as-dress! I am mad for plaid. I agree that “thinking outside the box” is so weirdly limiting of a phrase. I can’t be constrained within a space, either literal or metaphorical. No freaking boxes for me! Unless they are velvet with a pretty design, and then I might store my tights in them! Ha!

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 29, 2021 at 11:57 am Reply

      OMG, Sheila, you make me smile! No boxes here either. But you are right, if it is a pretty velvet box in a gorgeous jewel tone all adorned in pearls or other gems, I may reconsider my feelings about boxes! You know another reason I don’t like boxes…when we were moving into our current house 4 years ago, I managed to break my little toe on the moving boxes. But not packed moving boxes! They were still flattened and propped against a wall and I stubbed my toe…on flattened boxes…and broke it!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Darlene

    January 30, 2021 at 10:15 pm Reply

    Hmm, interesting thoughts. I am absolutely an “outside the box” thinker in most ways, but maybe not quite as much in my fashion choices. Something to think about! Love the quotes, especially the idea that if one is in the box, one is NOT thinking. Your restyling of the coat as a dress is brilliant and looks so chic!

    xx Darlene

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 31, 2021 at 12:05 pm Reply

      Darlene, thank you so much! I can tell that you think bigger than any boxes would allow and I think your fashion choices are very creative as well! You are always sharing wonderful ideas and outfits that inspire me! I would definitely consider you as an “outside of the box” person when it comes to style!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Dee | Grammy's Grid

    February 1, 2021 at 3:09 pm Reply

    Ah ha, I thought that dress looked like a trench coat!! Looks nice on you! Thanks so much for linking up with me at the #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 21, open until February 26. Shared on social media.

  • Lisa notes

    February 1, 2021 at 10:01 pm Reply

    What a beautiful quote by Teresa R. Funke, and a great theme “Outside the Box.” It would be a welcome theme in any number of situations! 🙂 Your dress/coat is lovely!

  • Grace

    February 2, 2021 at 2:54 am Reply

    It makes a very good dress indeed! Such a cute outfit and a fabulous theme, I’m so glad you suggested it.

    Miles of smiles,
    Grace

    gracefulrags.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      February 6, 2021 at 11:20 am Reply

      Aw, thanks so much, Rena! And please do not be embarrassed! Life happens. This was such a fun theme and I really love the way everyone interpreted it. I am looking forward to the next one! What theme will it be, I wonder. We have to come up with something good!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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