The LBD. Is it just a catch phrase we like to throw around, “You always need a good LBD,” or does it really hold up to its reputation?

If you ask me, indeed it does. And it’s not just a nice piece to have for your daily life but also, for travel!

You might be thinking I’ve said this before and indeed I have. But when something like an LBD can be so helpful, why not say it again!

The LBD has immense versatility. It disguises a lot of imperfections, (from those of our body and those woopsie-mistake-stains). Because of its dark color, you can get away with limitless fabric choices for different occasions. And of course we must chat about how easy it is to accessorize!

Last night, I attended an opera here in Rome. And the first thought I had when we got the tickets was, how will I ever pack an opera outfit in to my carry-on?!

The answer was, the LBD! Plus, I brought small but impactful accessories to pump up the volume to make it appropriate for the theater.

And for the rest of tour trip, I can easily dress this down. So it’s far from a “one and done.”

Here are a few ways to give your LBD versatility:

1. Play it up with a sparkly clutch! Even if you think it’ll be ‘too much’ - that’s fine. It’ll bump up the dresssiness of your LBD and make it perfect for the occasion.

2. Add jewelry that makes a statement! Go bold with your jewelry to play up texture and color. Use the dress as a canvas for your jewelry.

3. Pop on pullover sweater - et voila! You now have a new black skirt that will easily dress down for a day around town.

4. Add a heel - a simple and obvious way to amp up your Look.

5. Try patterned hosiery. This is a little more bold but try some tights with a pattern or a sheen to them and totally change up the vibe of your Look.

And now… let’s shop! Here are some fun LBD’s:

Question: What is YOUR favorite LBD?