A LITTLE BLACK DRESS WORN FIVE DIFFERENT WAYS

Way back in 2015, I decided to start this blog. It was a crazy idea, especially since I wasn’t sure what a blog was. But, with the encouragement of my sister, I just in with both left feet. My mission then is the same as it is today, to help women feel better about themselves through fashion, beauty, and faith. I wanted everyone to understand that age is an attitude, so we need to keep ours young.

But, I also wanted to show you that you can look beautiful, stylish, and modern, no matter your budget. I shop at a wide variety of retailers with lots of different price points. Heck, I’ve even shopped at a gas station, so never judge a store by their storefront. So, today’s post is like the one I did on Saturday. Saturday I showed you how to style one pair of pants 5 ways, and, today I am doing the same with one little black dress.

Little Black Dress

So, let’s start with the dress. This little black dress is a simple sheath dress that can be worn all year round. I wanted to pick something very versatile, lightweight enough for summer, but that could be worn under a jacket for fall and winter. Plus, I also wanted something budget-friendly, and this dress knocked it out of the ballpark.

The dress features a deep scoop neckline and flattering cap sleeves. This is a pullover dress, so no fiddling with zippers which can be an enormous pain if you don’t have someone to help you zip it up. I usually wear a size 12 in dresses, so I ordered a large, which is perfect, just a tad roomy, which is fine.

I forgot to mention my Tory Burch flats, which I’ve had for years, and my jewelry. I’ll link all of those below.

Tima Stud Earrings // Fallyn Cuff Bracelet // Natalie Hinged Bracelet // Jack Multi-Strand Necklace // 18Kt Gold Vermeil Cross Necklace // Tory Burch Flats //

Casual Look

Taking the black dress and adding a few accessories can change the whole look of the dress. I wanted to go with a casual look for the first outfit, and I wanted to make it easy and simple to replicate.

Accessories are the easiest way to change the look of an outfit. I added this large palm leaf scarf that I bought from JJill several months ago (no longer available), a Tory Burch crossbody bag (no longer available), and a pair of black pumps. All of these items are things that I already owned, so they are not available online. But, I have found some similar items for you that would work just as well.

The other thing that I added was a pair of sunglasses. These black sunglasses add some glam, but they aren’t expensive. I love it when you get the look, but not the expense.

Work Outfit

Once again, simple changes are all it takes to change the look of your outfit. If it takes too many hoops to jump through, you won’t do it. So, I like to take a look you have already worn and know that it works and then change one or two little things.

I took the scarf off from the last look and added a double-breasted blazer to make this more of a business or work outfit. Even if you don’t work anymore, there is always a reason to have a nice polished-looking blazer for appointments and meetings. I hate when I have to go somewhere, and I need to look professional, and I struggle to find something to wear.

I chose a longer blazer for this look, and I like how it looks from the back. Later in this post, I’ll be sharing a short jacket, and I like that look also. So, you just need to choose what suits you and your personality. I’ll link to some blazers below.

Date Night

How many of us have a date night each week? Your date night might be a movie and popcorn on the couch, or it could be a date night with dinner eaten at the dining table. For Joe and I, we have started going out one night a week for dinner, usually Saturday night.

I look forward to that dinner so much, and we even share a dessert. I try to watch what I eat all week long to have a splurge meal and a glass of wine, at least one night a week.

Joe has said that he also looks forward to the night, even though he doesn’t like going out to eat. In the past, our date nights would look like me calling in food, him going and picking it up, and then we would eat at home. However, I told him that I wanted to go out so that I could dress up occasionally. I don’t know about you, but every once in a while, I like looking fancy! Lol!

To go from a work outfit to a date outfit, I simply changed the completer piece. The blazer is beautiful, but it is way more polished and professional than I want to look on a date. If you work and plan on going out to eat later, all you have to do is throw a ruana/shawl/poncho into your bag and then do a quick change before you head out of the door.

The animal print ruana that I have on was a free with purchase from Chicos back last year. I didn’t even have to buy this, and it looks fantastic.

Here is a close-up of the jewelry that I’ve been wearing.

Tima Stud Earrings // Fallyn Cuff Bracelet // Natalie Hinged Bracelet // Jack Multi-Strand Necklace // 18Kt Gold Vermeil Cross Necklace //

Fall Outfit

I changed things up a little more with the fall outfit. I switched up the jewelry, added ankle boots, and threw on a long cardigan. Whew, I am exhausted! Lol! My point is, these were still simple changes that changed the entire look of the outfit.

The jewelry that I was previously wearing would have worked fine for this outfit, but I thought you might like to see something different. So, below is the links to all of the jewelry for this outfit.

18Kt Gold Vermeil Cross Necklace // AVI Large Hoop Earrings // Ryder Multi-Chain Necklace // David Yurman Loop Bracelet

I figured that you would want to see the length of the cardigan compared to the black dress. The cardigan is about 4 or 5 inches longer than the dress, which looks great to me. I have also worn a cardigan that is 4 or 5 inches shorter, and that looks great also, so don’t think that you have to have one or the other. Use what you’ve got and make it work for you.

Since it is fall, you know that it is time to bring out the ankle boots. There are times when I struggle to wear ankle boots with dresses, but I think that it looks good with this dress. I love this black suede pair with the cap toe in leather material. The contrast in materials adds a lot of interest, and that is a good thing. I first ordered this boot in tan suede, and I loved it so much that I also ordered it in black. The boots run TTS, and I am wearing my usual size 9.

The open-front cardigan is a great neutral gray. The material is soft and sleek, so it feels good against your skin. I want you to know that I ordered two other long cardigans, but they were scratchy, so even though I loved their color, they went back. If I showcase something on the blog, then you can believe that I liked the item. Otherwise, I never bothered to take photos of the item. I am wearing a large, but a medium would have worked also. I will usually size up if I am unsure because I would rather something be big on me instead of too tight.

Edgy Look

It is time for the last outfit, and it is an edgy look. Did you know that I was a Motorcycle Mamma? I have been riding motorcycles (trail bikes) since I was young, and Joe has had a motorcycle almost since we got married. He laughs that I will crawl on the back of a motorcycle, but I balk when he mentions flying. Lol!

He says, “a motorcycle is only 5 feet away from a car/truck moving at 55+ miles an hour, so that is way more dangerous than being in an airplane.” I get his logic, and it is probably true, but I can’t shake the fear of airplanes. I will fly in them because they are a necessary evil in my book, but I don’t have to like them.

The first thing that I will talk about in this outfit is these CUTE, CUTE, CUTE embellished faux pearl Chelsea boots. I can’t wait to hear from those of you who LOVE these boots! These boots are cute, fashionable, comfortable, trending, and very modern looking. If you want to be any of those things, then these are the boots for you.

My granddaughter, Emersyn, has a faux leather jacket and a pair of very similar boots, except hers has rhinestones. We are going to do a photo shoot soon so that we can show our twinning style! I am wearing my usual size 9, so these run true to size. I’ll link to a couple more styles similar to the ones that I have on.

Look at how cute this leather biker jacket is! I missed out on a leather jacket last year because I kept ordering the wrong size, and then the jacket would be sold out before I could get a different size ordered. This year, I ordered THREE black leather jackets. One was more budget-friendly, one was slightly dressier, and one was more vintage and more like a motorcycle jacket.

I tried on all three jackets for Joe and then asked him which one he liked. This one was his choice because it looked more like a motorcycle jacket is supposed to look. He wasn’t worried about the fashion aspect; he wanted the vintage, authentic moto jacket look. I am wearing a large, so I can wear a sweater or turtleneck underneath it without feeling squeezed.

This is what the lining looked like in the jacket. Doesn’t this look more vintage-inspired?

The last thing that I added was the black sunglasses again. You know that you need dark shades if you wear a moto jacket and studded boots. Lol!!!

So, now comes the decision time. Which is your favorite look? The plain Little Black Dress, or…..

The Casual Style for running around town and going to lunch, or….

The Work Outfit for times when you need to look polished and professional, or…

The Date Night look for a reason to dress up and go out on the town, or…

The fall outfit for a casual, cool fall afternoon, or….

The edgy motorcycle mamma look??? Whew, are you as tired as I am?

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