Sleeveless stretch shirtdress by Calvin Klein
$128 at dillards.com
Showing posts with label LBD. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LBD. Show all posts
18 February 2008
03 February 2008
04 January 2008
If I had a sugar daddy who had a sugar daddy...
Rosette embroidered dress by Burberry Prorsum
$4,295 at net-a-porter.com
16 December 2007
26 November 2007
14 November 2007
17 October 2007
01 October 2007
23 September 2007
20 September 2007
15 August 2007
Choosing a board room *and* bar stool appropriate LBD
Can you recommend a little black dress that would work for both day and night? I would preferably like to be able to wear it for all occasions --- work, weekends, and even for cocktails or dinner out. I hate ironing -- what materials would allow me to avoid having to do so? Additionally, I am a budget conscious shopper and would preferably like to spend under $200. Thanks!
My first instinct when I read this reader question was to write back and inquire about her measurements and find out which figure features she'd most like to showcase. After all, how could I, the unyielding trumpeter of "flatter your figure first," recommend a dress before I knew how tall or short, thin or heavy, or small or large busted she was?
But just as I was about to craft my follow-up e-mail, I reread the question and realized I was dealing with not one, not two, not three but four requirements: (1) has to be a little black dress (2) has to have a style that is day/night appropriate (3) has to be made of a low-maintenance material, and (4) has to have an under-$200 price tag.
Forgive me, but adding a fifth qualifier - a potentially complicated fifth qualifier like "must fit and flatter a petite frame with a disproportionately large bust" - would have rendered this endeavor near impossible to complete.
So instead of my usual "avoid this" and "look for this" diagnosis, I've amassed a small collection of reasonably-priced, versatile black dresses, all of which are made of either matte jersey or chiffon, with the hope that you're able on your own to discern between those silhouettes that might enhance your particular features and those that, well, might make you look a whole lot less svelte than you actually are.
You'll notice a few of these dresses, the first, second and next-to-last, in particular, are on their own completely office-inappropriate, but one of my favorite tricks when I have a formal event to attend directly after work is to pair the sexy up-top frock with a demure swing coat or fuller-coverage capelet for the entirety of the day. For recommendations in similarly inexpensive price-points, try this, this and my favorite, this.
In addition to the practicality of having built-in protection against the often aggressive office air conditioning, you'll also allow for an "unveiling" once you arrive at your after-hours destination.
Though I should warn you, I hear men hate the idea of a woman in a conservative outfit revealing in one fell movement that underneath her girlish jacket is a pair of defined shoulder blades, a bare back and a hint of cleavage.
Absolutely. Hate. It.
Enjoy!
Alexa jersey dress by Tart ($184 at blondette.com)
Barbi tank dress by Velvet ($173 at revolveclothing.com)
Short sleeve bubble dress by Clu ($191 at revolveclothing.com)**
Belted boatneck dress by Frenzii ($98 at southmoonunder.com)
Matte jersey dress by David Meister ($172.86 at dillards.com)
Silk chiffon belted dress by Maggy London ($148 at macys.com)
Drape back sheath by Suzi China Maggy Boutique ($138 at nordstrom.com)*
Matte jersey dress by BCBG Max Azria ($180 at nordstrom.com)
*your editrix's top pick
**this dress only looks like a mini because of the model's height
09 August 2007
09 July 2007
Drape back dress by Suzi Chin Maggie Boutique14 June 2007
The first paycheck purchase: an investment dress
"I started my very first job 2 weeks ago this Friday, and I want to mark this special milestone with a memorable first paycheck purchase. After considering all the obvious practical items, I've settled on a little black dress. If you can believe it, I've never really had one! I've had casual black dresses but never something I could wear out to a nice dinner or a formal event. I'm willing to spend up to $400, but that's the very edge of my limit. I'm five foot seven (like you!) and a size 4 (also like you!) with a smallish chest (*unlike* you!) and disproportionately broad shoulders. I was a swimmer through high school and college, and I've definitely got the swimmer 'look,' so...no strapless please!"
This is a special post for me, because just like you, I too spent a sizable chunk of my very first paycheck - my first real paycheck, not the one with "Petite Sophisticate" printed at the top - on an investment dress. Unlike you, regrettably, I chose to go a bit more unconventional with a multi-hued silk Nicole Miller scarf-print dress with plunge-front and plunge-back. While I still love the dress that served as my inauguration into the world of designer clothes as much as I did the early July evening I slipped it on and pranced around in front of all three of Betsy Fisher's floor-to-ceiling mirrors, I do recognize it is not a practical, can-wear-it-to-this-and-that-and-most-anything kind of dress. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I've worn in it in two years.
I don't know what you do for a living, but that you're already showing an aptitude for common-sense budgeting by going for an LBD and not a resort gown is a very good sign. Knowing when to say when and how to say how across your monthly savings/spending spreadsheet is a critically important skill for those of us who don't just love clothes but really love clothes.
Like, really really love clothes.
And per your request - a good one, if you have as you say you have, broad shoulders - I did not include in this collection any strapless, halter-style nor any other dresses with necklines that draw attention to that part of your body. The most frustrating part about putting together this group was how many dresses I couldn't include because they were mini dresses. While I'm a big proponent of the mini, I believe your first-paycheck-dress should be a dress you can picture yourself wearing 10 years from now -- a classic, if you will.
Without further ado...
Kendall dress by Diane von Furstenburg ($269.50 at dvf.com)
Glamorous satin dress by Betsey Johnson ($265 at betseyjohnson.com)
Glamorous satin dress by Betsey Johnson ($265 at betseyjohnson.com)
Phoebe dress by Plenty by Tracy Reese ($265 at nordstrom.com)
Cap sleeve jersey dress by David Meister ($278 at nordstrom.com)
Meryl dress by Tory Burch ($198 at activeendeavors.com)
Silk dress with belt by Betsey Johnson ($202.50 at macys.com)*
Jackie O dress by Black Halo ($328 at saks.com)
Low back satin dress by ABS ($255 at saks.com)*
Bubble dress by Nanushka ($278 at azaleaonline.com)
Flutter sleeve tulle and satin dress by Vera Wang ($315 at bluefly.com)
*your editrix's top picks
**don't forget to check out your local vintage boutiques, too!
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