What to Wear to Alt Summit

Alt Summit was over a month ago, but I’m still fielding questions about what I wore to the conference, so I thought I’d share a little wardrobe tour. But before I start I should tell you that these pictures were taken on a downer sort of day, and the simple act of putting on a real outfit (and lipstick!)  turned things around in a jiffy. I need to remember that for future bummed-out days!

Outfit 1: I wore this on Thursday during the sessions and panels. It’s a really easy outfit to wear. Comfortable, and made in easy-to-clean fabrics. In fact, I wore it to the market this morning, and I’m wearing it right now as I type. Except I’ve switched out the heels for black flats. Heels are great for a conference, but not as fun on cobblestone streets.

Turtleneck from Uniqlo, skirt from H&M ($10!!), tights from the grocery store, booties from Zara, necklace from I can’t remember — I’ve had it for ages.



Outfit 2: I wore this on Friday during sessions and panels. I love this dress because you could pair it with a million things and it’s such a complementary shape. I like the neckline and I like where the sleeves hit.

Dress from Uniqlo, necklace from H&M or maybe Target, I’ve had it for ages too, tights from the grocery store, shoes by C. Louboutin (found these for a bargain on Ebay!).



Outfit 3: This is another version of the outfit I talked about last week, but instead of denim, I paired a button-down with high-waisted cropped pants. The pants have some tuxedo detailing so they feel a little dressy. I wore this outfit on Saturday during the Design Camps. I loved how I felt in this outfit!

Silk scarf from a market in Florence, button-down from Uniqlo, cuff was a gift from Mara, pants from H&M, shoes by Simply Vera Wang. NEWS: more about the cuff bracelet here — it was made by Sarah Alice Fulton.

Outfit 4: I wore this on Wednesday, which is the day most attendees arrive and get registered.

Is anyone else happy that drop-waist styles have started appearing again? They are so kind to mom tummies! And the wedge boots are kind to moms too. I adore wedges! They give you the sexiness of heels, but you can walk in them easily.

Dress from Naf Naf (it’s my favorite French shop for finding dresses), tights and boots from Zara. Initial necklace was a gift from my sister Sara. She found it at Sundance.

Outfit 5: I brought this outfit to wear during the Friday Night Mini Parties, but ended up switching out the dress for this turquoise one, because clever Sarah brought gowns that were perfect for our Chinese New Year theme! I like this outfit. Very simple with little glam touches on zippers, shoes and earrings. Plus, after wearing heels all day, it’s so nice to have flats to wear in the evening!

I also have to say, I’m so glad there are tons of really thick tights available these days. When I wear them, I feel like I have leggings on, and I appreciate the extra coverage.

Dress and flats from Zara, earrings from Naf Naf, tights from the grocery store.

Outfit 6: Here’s a glimpse of what I wore to the Thursday Night Diner en Blanc Party. I’ll be honest, this outfit wasn’t my favorite. It fit right in among all that white, but I felt like a bride. : ) Also. I regretted not wearing flats that night. My poor feet!

Maxi skirt from Naf Naf, lace top from Zara. Pearls from my Grandma Daisy. Shoes by Simply Vera Wang.

Well, what do you think? Is there anything here you could work into your own wardrobe? Do you like getting dressed in the morning? Or would you rather not think about clothing at all?

P.S. — Ben Blair was the photographer on these images. He did such a great job!


105 thoughts on “What to Wear to Alt Summit”

  1. Wow!! You look gorgeous!! I love that you combined so many pieces from Zara and look like a million bucks in each and every outfit! Your husband did a wonderful job photographing you! (Mine is still learning. :) Thank you for sharing!

    1. Thank you, Alexandra! I was so pleased with how the photos turned out. I swear, for every 100 photos taken of me, I’ll typically look decent in 1 of them. My kids will joke that I’m the least photogenic person on the planet. And I agree! I definitely got lucky on this shoot. : )

    1. Shopping is definitely different for me here, because we are in the countryside. So I have to drive to the next big city — or Paris! — if I want great shopping choices. That means I have to be decisive, because I can’t return something easily if I don’t like it. Learning to be more decisive about clothes has been good for me.

  2. That pink is a great bright color. I always wear a ton of neutrals and I’m trying to add more color back in. I packed for a trip back to Maine for Thanksgiving and realized I had only packed grey! How sad!

  3. you did such a great job with your outfits – i would totally go for that black dress with the zippers (in fact, I did go for a black dress with zipper on back but on thursday) buy your blue shirt/tuxedo pant/nude heels was my favorite- very ines de la fressange – you looked great!

  4. You look so French in that first outfit – love it!

    I like the idea of caring about what I wear, but I battle with spending time and money on outfits.

  5. you looked STUNNING the whole weekend long – so glad to have photographic evidence of the style you ooze! and i will never, ever forget outfit 3 – you looked SLAMMING! :)

  6. So pretty! And stylish. You are such a great example to Mom’s; it’s still possible to have kiddies and not sacrifices style!!! You looked fantastic!

  7. You looked stunning at Alt! I loved seeing your outfits (& shoes!) everyday. You make me want to go to Zara to ck out their shoes. I remember Naf Naf when I lived in Paris….I bought a beautiful French suit and a summer dress there. Wish I still had them around. I’ve been wanting to get some photos up of what I wore to Alt, too – those are still coming…

  8. I am so with you on feeling better about myself and life in general when I take a few extra minutes to dress thoughtfully and put on a little makeup in the morning. I work from home, and people still comment about how jealous they are that I get to stay in pajamas or sweats all day…but for me, that’s the quickest way to feel “blah.” Any of these outfits would lift my mood in a heartbeat (particularly that sweet LBD). You look great!

  9. I’m also a big fan of the drop-waist dresses, they are so flattering.
    I’m having a hard time believing that you have a mommy tummy to hide. Either you’re exaggerating or you really know how to dress your body! Either way, you look amazing!

  10. so inspired by your taste- truly great! I love the point you make about dressing up and putting lipstick on to turn your day around. That triggered a realization for me- my mom has always gotten dressed and put lipstick on every day, (even when she’s home alone), and she is one of the happiest people I know. I think I may need to reconsider my no makeup days- there is something that just feels so good about pulling yourself together; now I understand why my dear mother is do dedicated to this practice!

  11. Tres Chic! Really fantastic choices and as always, I love your hair. Don’t think you looked bride like, really like that outfit.
    My favorite part was – tights from the grocery store, just made me smile :)

  12. I love these! You did a great job of pulling together interesting, wearable outfits that look effortless. I also like the way you mix higher-end pieces with easily-obtained items (like tights from the grocery store!). And Ben Blair’s photographs are beautiful.

  13. So has your style changed since living in France? I find that French and Czech women are SOOOO stylish.

    And btw, who took the photos? Lovely composition…

  14. I loved these outfits! Wow, you look stunning! :) I really loved that you showed some affordable items that can fit in my tiny budget. Hope you’ll do something like this again!

  15. I love all your outfits (especially that black dress with golden zips) and could wear any of them except for heels. Crazy heels. I would break a leg just trying to walk down the corridor, how can you do all the standing up a conference entails with those heels? I’m impressed!

  16. You look adorable! What I love is that the looks are so simple, as if you didn’t try hard to be so stylish, yet you are looking so stylish!

  17. You are looking so French. It totally suits you. I used to love to get dressed up but since I have the kids now and work from home in my basement I rarely have the opportunity. So sad!

  18. What is French for magnificent? All the sex with Ben Blair mentioned in that interview is paying off! You look amazing, and the clothes are so you — effortless chic, and not too fussy like other Alt pics I’ve seen. Thanks for sharing!

  19. It’s the styling. You are very good at it. I can acquire good pieces, but I never seem to get the styling totally there. I just let the great piece stand on its own. I’d like to learn how to make a good outfit look great with styling! You are very very talented there. For your family too. You look great and I love the zipper dress.

  20. ok, HOW can you possibly be so thin after 6 children!!! Really, what do you do? You look incredible. ANOTHER reason why I am so very jealous of your fabulous life :)

  21. Gabrielle, I love your style! LOVE! So simple and chic, yet with a flair of trend mixed in for some fun. Very, very pretty. And I love all the dresses you wore. I love dresses, so much easier to get dressed in the morning than having to figure out what top to wear with what skirt, etc…And lastly, how in the world do you look so fabulous after 6 children?!? I hope you look that good after just three :)

  22. can you please wear look three every day (and can you please send me those zara booties?!)? all of these looks are fabulous on you, but three is just PERFECT.

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