We all have a few in our closets – simple, unbelievably flattering black dresses. And
while an LBD will never be out of style, the truth is, wearing one won’t exactly make
you stand out among the crowd.
These days, a great outfit isn’t necessarily the most expensive or fancy – it’s all about
creativity. A black dress is only the first step; using its simplicity to your advantage,
you can add pieces over a plain black dress to achieve a current new look.
Top it off: A boyfriend blazer or vest adds shape and interest to a fitted LBD. To
really stand out, opt for something studded, sequined, or printed.
Work from the bottom up: Adding a high-waisted skirt over an LBD not only gives
the dress another function, it also eliminates the annoying fabric lines and riding
up effect that regular shirts have when tucked into a skirt. A pencil skirt works
well over skimpier, sleeveless dress, while a tiered mini looks adorable and really
balances out a long-sleeved dress.
Make it a slip: You know those tunics that are too long to wear over a pair of
skinnies but not quite long enough to stand alone as dresses? They’re perfect when
added over a plain dress. Just allow a little bit of the dress to hang out from under –
it’ll just look like a dress with a black trim.
Tuck it in: Slide that dress into the waistband of your favorite pair of skinny jeans,
add a brown belt, tall boots, and oversized bag, and you’ve nailed the effortlessly
casual daytime look.
Emphasize the shoulders: Throw an intricate epaulet over the shoulders of your
dress. I especially love BCBG’s , which is pictured here. These are obviously not
just for military men.
