Wardrobe Make-Over: 20 Must Haves to “Complete” My Closet – The Little Black Dress!

My good friend Shan and her husband were in the Queen City for a business trip a couple of weeks ago. She and I were out for lunch and got on the topic of men and how they shop. We talked about where our men liked to shop and how we weren’t as “picky” as they were, which we found odd because we are women of course.

Anyways – I told her that women have dozens of “disposable clothes” retailers. Meaning those stores where you’re unlikely to spend more than $55 on any one piece, you don’t expect the clothes to last long or hold up to being washed over and over again. They aren’t pieces that you worry about dry cleaning and if you misplace them you’re kinda like “Oh well…I’ll just go get another one.”

Men on the other hand, don’t have as many of those types of mall store/disposable stores. Even at cheaper stores, menswear tends to be more expensive. So a (smart) man will shop quality vs quantity – where for women, the variety of cheaper retailers makes it easier for a woman to shop “quantity”.

So next up on my Wardrobe Make-Over list is “The Little Black Dress”

LBD: This is an obvious choice. I have several LBD’s now, but as I get older – what I need in an LBD obviously changes. The mini-LBD I wore in my early 20′s is no longer appropriate as a 30-Something. Now if there is one thing that a little black dress should be – it is versatile. Ideally, the dress should be able to go from 9-5 business casual (when combined with a cardigan, pearls and pumps) to 6-10 afterwork networking and cocktail events with ease. It should flatter your figure by highlighting your “perks” and masking or minimizing your flaws. And as previously stated, it should be age/stage appropriate.

My personal style preference is similar to Victoria Beckham, Kerri Washington and a touch of Dita Von Teese (her style is FIERCE). So when shopping for specific pieces (like the LBD) I think of things that I might see them wearing.

I prefer sheath style LBD’s , but I have this thing for Rockabilly, vintage style retro dresses. Think Bettie Page, 50′s Hollywood with a modern twist. www.StopStaringClothing.com and www.UniqueVintage.com are two of my favorite e-shops for that particular style.

LOVES.IT. This one is $154 at www.StopStaringClothing.com . I’d have the hemline taken up to just about knee length. I can cover the bust line with a cardigan for a business casual look, then take it off and put on a pair of stilettos for afer hours events.

This is sooooo my style! I’d make up places to go just to be seen rocking this! I want it all – the dress, the belt, the shoes! It’s available at www.UniqueVintage.com for $130.00.

I actually want both dresses, the 2nd would be my fall and winter LBD, with the first being an all-seasons option.

Both Dresses are going to cost me $284

Wardrobe Make-Over Must Haves:

1. Pearls – $420
2. Little Black Dresses – $284

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Category: Fashion & Beauty