Mix It Up Monday: LBD

Ah, the iconic Little Black Dress--an endless source of style, variety, and class.
This dress has been there for winter weddings [Angela!], semi-formal dinners, Christmas parties, etc etc.
As Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor so aptly stated, "When the little black dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place." 

Back to the heart of this post, I made this dress what it is today.
Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic.
Maybe not.
Anyway, it originally had hot pink details throughout--including pink tulle extending from the bottom of the skirt. I thought it to be too young of a look, and because the dress overall is flattering & timeless, I got rid of that tulle and now have a perfect blank canvas of an LBD.

To avoid playing it too safe, an LBD begs to be paired with bold--audacious, even?--accessories.

So find a Little Black Dress and some major heels. Or jewelry. Or a clutch.

And enjoy!

I have a thing for broaches. They can re-invent just about any item! 

Adding a belt to your narrowest part makes your torso appear tinier, your legs appear longer, and by extension, your overall frame is more flattered! [How's that for some positive alliteration?]

For me, this combination evokes thoughts of winter--the icy blue cardigan, the snowflake necklace, and the crystal buttons all contribute to a cool [but still soft] statement. 

That crystal snowflake necklace is my mom's from childhood!

Fiber for fiber, cashmere is the warmest of all fabrics. It feels luxurious and comforting, but comes at quite a cost. Fortunately, there are also many lower priced options that are a cashmere blend [cashmere + cotton/nylon, for example] that give you the perks without the price.
I've skinny-belted this cardigan so the silhouette of the dress is not lost. 

Two-way necklace

Isn't that fun?

A bit of a retro plaid lends a punch of kooky without being crazy. 

Little black dress with a single strand of pearls.
[What could be more quintessential?] 

A longer strand of pearls keeps the elegance, adds some drama.

Remember, the reason the simple garment is so enduring is because it understands the essence of style: to step back and let the woman shine. So shine.

-Nina Garcia