Back to Basics: The LBD

“Gosh, I have so enjoyed this and feel like you have helped me sooo much. I feel like you have helped me get my confidence back at a time I really needed it. I also feel like a gained a really cool, fashionable frien (52).png

We’re in that weird mid-fashion sense season,where it’s nearing the end of Summer fun but not quite close enough to Fall to really get excited about pumpkin spice so... I thought it’d be an appropriate time to go back to basics and chat about the LBD (Little Black Dress).

You may remember two years ago around this time, we chatted about how the LBD was the perfect travel dress. 

The LBD is sure to solve numerous needs when you feel “you just don’t know what to wear.” The variety of occasions it can be worn to is practically unlimited!  We’ve got:

Date nights

Days out

Dinners

Funerals

Lunch dates

Mass

Meetings

Parties

Showers

Weddings

Work

To name just a few! Right here are 12 different occasions. That’s one occasion for every month that you can wear  your LBD. Now… you might be thinking I’m crazy for saying that the same dress you wear for a lunch date could also work for a somber funeral or a joyful wedding, I know, I feel you… but trust me - it WORKS!

It all comes down to the styling. The styling is evvv-errrrrryyyyyy-thinggggggg.

When we approach our closet, it’s easy to think “ugh, I have nothing to wear.” When really, we DO have something to wear. All we have to do is wear it in a way we haven’t before.

So, how do you buy a little black dress that can transition through so many seasons and occasions? There are a few things you’ll need to take into account.

  1. Shoes: Pick out five shoe styles you’ll want it to match and choose a range of dressy, casual, warm weather and cold weather styles.

  2. Layers: Identify which blazers, jackets, cardigans, wraps you would like to pair with this dress. This can be a huge difference in the versatility of your LBD. Think of it - a camel blazer over a black sheath dress is appropriate for a meeting, a black cardigan suits it for a funeral and a shimmery wrap works for a wedding.

  3. Jewelry: What statement and subtle pieces can you wear with the LBD to either jazz it up for a festive night out (like a dramatic statement necklace), or perhaps add a colorful, trendier piece to wear at a shower.

  4. Through the seasons: What is it in your wardrobe that you can add or take away, so that your LBD is appropriate and comfortable? Perhaps it is under a thin, long-sleeved shirt for the fall or a fur vest with tights and boots in the winter.

  5. Hair and Makeup: The way we style our hair and makeup can be a huge game changer in the dressiness of your Look. A French chignon with a red lip is going to have an elegant feel, while tousled beach waves and natural makeup will give a relaxed feel

So, I recommend taking inventory of what you already have in your closet to really make this LBD get all the wear it can. Besides having a smaller closet and a heavier wallet with this method, it’s also a LOT of fun and is an artful way to get dressed!

Below here are some beautiful LBD’s to get you thinking which style will be best for your wardrobe:

Hope you have lots of fun being creative with your LBD!

Question: What is the style of YOUR favorite LBD?

Closet EssentialsMeghan Ashley2 Comments