Mixed metals – Dressing up the LBD

Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone knows about the Little Black Dress, or the LBD. You’ve read how to find the right one for your body type, and you have likely searched endlessly for one that meets both requirements of casual and dressy. Trust me, I know. Then, to find one that doesn’t break the bank is an entirely different issue. Hey, Rag & Bone, why so expensive? If you’re reading this so far and want to give me a solid “amen,” go right ahead.

But then you find a dress while doing some late-night-insomnia-shopping and click “purchase” on a whim, hoping it works out. When it does? Pure bliss. Now, my selection may not be the most practical option of LBDs, but for under $30, I couldn’t resist. This dress has a number of my favorite design elements that aided in my inability to resist its charm.

• Black. I mean, hello.
• Cowl neckline. Always elegant and shows off the collarbone
• Racerback. Can every item of clothing in my closet be racerback?
• Two-tiered columnar. The square cut high-low is a less bohemian take on the high-low trend

To dress up this simple dress, I added a metallic gold belt to give it some shape and break up the monochrome tone. Simple bar earrings add a touch of class, balancing out showing a little skin in the back. I pulled my lioness hair up on this warm day to keep it out of my face. There is nothing worse than a stray curl tickling your face all night, am I right? I know that mixing metals is still fairly new to most people, but it is fun to try with neutral outfits. Combining the silver beaded clutch and strappy silver sandals with my other gold accessories kept the look from being too disco (as if there were such a thing) and toned down the blast of gold.

What are your favorite LBD shapes? How do you personalize yours and take it from casual to dressy? Do tell!

Dress – H&M
Belt – vintage
Shoes – Ralph Lauren
Earrings and clutch – Kate Landry
Rings – vintage