LBD: Layered Black Dress

I was sent this gorgeous little black dress from Long Tall Sally the other day:

Long Tall Sally Louben Triacetate Dress

And, at first, I was a little daunted because it's such a classic piece and I don't have the most classic of aesthetics.  But then I realized that part of what makes a little black dress such a classic is it's versatility.  You don't have to wear it with pearls and black patent pumps.

So I took another look and realized that this is the perfect dress for layering.   Not all dresses lend themselves equally to being layered, but this dress really is perfect.  It's sleeveless, it's made of a structured fabric and has the perfect gently scooped neckline.  Therefore, I've decided that this isn't my Little Black Dress, it's my Layered Black Dress.  Here are some of the ways I plan on layering it.

With a printed blouse:

Blouse: Foxcroft  Belt: LOFT  Pumps: Nine West "Ike"

Sure, a little black dress and houndstooth sounds classic on paper, but make the houndstooth a big, bold print and add leopard pumps and it's anything but boring.



With a printed blouse and a sweater vest:

Blouse: Foxcroft  Vest: Vintage, thrifted  Boots: Born (similar)

Because sweater vests are underutilized in this day and age and I think that's sad.  Also, leather buttons.



With a turtleneck and a poncho:

Poncho: sold out eShakti (similar)   Boots: Piperlime (similar)

C'mon, now.  You knew I was going to layer over a turtleneck!  And ponchos are so in right now; why not layer one over your black dress?



With the swingiest of coats:

Coat: vintage, thrifted  Belt: vintage, thrifted  Boots: Nine West (similar)

Swingy! And so easy over a black dress for date night.


Or, for hanging out in the snow:

Just kidding.  It's way too cold to hang out in the snow in this.  Save it for date night, kids.


What about you, Reader Friends?  Would you layer your LBD?  Which look is your favorite?

Happy Tuesday, All!

Gracey

More Layerable Little Black Dresses

Accidental Professional

A co-worker said I looked professional in this look:

I assured her that it was an accident.

It's not as if I set out to look unprofessional, but as I've mentioned before, there is no real dress code where I work.  Occasionally HR sends out an email asking people not to wear cut-offs and tube tops to work, but basically, anything goes.  That's why my work outfits include such items as shark jaw tees and eye print blouses, because as long as it's not an eye print tube top, no one cares.

Speaking of eye print, the print on this dress looks a little like eyes doesn't it?

As you can see it's not an eye print:

But, I like it even better now that I realize it's eye-adjacent.  I have a sincere and unapologetic affinity for eye prints.

And for this dress.  I received it from the fine folks at eShakti last year and realized that I don't wear it enough.  Which is silly because the print is great and so is the cut:

It's probably one of the more flattering dresses I own.

It even looks good when I'm freaking out over how good Snowpiercer is:

Seriously.  Watch that movie, you won't regret it.

Pro Tip: wearing a classically professional silhouette in a fun print will fool people into thinking you're a professional.

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Cranberry

I guess this cardigan could be called "red" but red is boring and I grew up looking at J.Crew catalogs, so I'm calling it cranberry:

Dress: c/o eShakti  Cardigan: thrifted   Tights: Spanx   Boots: Nine West "Darsy"

I know it doesn't seem like enough for cold November weather, but it's a lovely wool/silk mix and is warm as heck.  I thrifted it a couple of years ago and don't wear it nearly enough, I think because the proportions are a bit difficult to work with.

Then I remembered that I have trouble with proportions anyway so I just slapped it on over my eShakti sheath dress and some tights:

In case you were curious, the dress is oatmeal with an ink trim and the tights and boots are ebony.

Happy Friday, All!

Gracey