The Alternative to the Little Black Dress

The LBD

When I’m making a list of closet staples for my clients, I always make sure to include a Little Black Dress! As I’m sure many of you know, a LBD is a necessary item for all women to own. A little black dress is a dress that can be made to work for any number of occasions; you can dress it up, you can dress it down. When in doubt, wear the little black dress!

So if you’re on the hunt for your own LBD, you want to be sure to find a high quality, well-fitting style in which you feel comfortable. You want to find a style that you love that looks good, and versatility is the name of the game. Ideally you select a style that pairs well with many different styles of shoes and accessories. The LBD is also key when traveling. In the event you may go to dinner at a fancy restaurant, or end up requiring more formal attire, the LBD will be your best friend.

The little black dress is a classic, timeless component to your wardrobe, but what if you want something a little different? Maybe you’ve worn out your favorite LBD, or you want something less traditional, maybe you feel less comfortable in a dress, or it’s a little chilly and you feel you need something more? For these reasons and more, I present to you the perfect alternative to the classic LBD:

The Little Black Jumpsuit!

Or as I like to call it: the LBJ.

A jumpsuit can be the perfect formal alternative to your traditional LBJ. If you opt for a wide-leg option, you give the illusion of a full length dress, but with more comfort and flexibility. You can dress a jumpsuit up with heels, and chandelier earrings. The LBJ also offers a more professional vibe if you go with close toes and a blazer. Or you can throw on a denim jacket and flat sandals for a more casual look. The possibilities are endless, and the only limit is your creativity!

Now I’ve gone a step further than simply suggestion the LBJ as an alternative to the LBD. I’ve also selected the perfect LBJ!

I give you: The Halston Heritage Flowy Jumpsuit w/ Draped Front:

   

This style is almost universally flattering. It is a style merges sexiness and modesty almost perfectly. With a fitted waste, and billowing pant, it give you the perfect hourglass shape. It is full length, but it’s unique draped leg gives the illusion of a slit, without being too revealing. With a plunging neckline, it offers the perfect amount of cleavage; but with a lace bralette can easily be made more conservative. It’s wide straps allow you to wear a bra, if that’s how you’re most comfortable. Also the tie detail in back gives the jumpsuit a little personality from all angles.

In Conclusion

If you want to try your own spin on the classic Little Black Dress consider shopping for an LBJ instead. Look for a style that moves with your body, fits well, is breathable, and comfortable. If you don’t know where to start, consider my Halston pick! Whether you’re going out for drinks with the girls, need a go-to wedding look, or want to look ultra-chic for a work event, this style will cover all of your bases!

Ready to pull the trigger? The Halston Heritage Flowy Jumpsuit is available at all of these retailers for under $200:
Neiman Marcus
Saks Fifth Avenue
Bergdorf Goodman
Halston.com
Amazon

XOX

Theresa

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Taking The First Step…Learning How to Shop

Hello everyone! I wanted to start this blog with a post that was both helpful and relatable for anyone who may be looking to overhaul their closet, or build a wardrobe from scratch. Refined was built with a mission of helping you save time and money when it comes to your closet. I also hope to make looking and feeling stylish as easy as possible. We’ve all been there: staring at our closet thinking, “I have nothing to wear.” Well the good news is I can help you to avoid having that terrible feeling ever again! What do you think?

Do any of these sound like you?

  • You put way too many hours into finding the perfect outfit only to wear it one time.
  • You put no thought into a look only to leave the house feel self-conscious.
  • You try at least three different outfits before you settle on what to wear.
  • You are a clothing hoarder, with dozens of clothes you haven’t worn in years.
  • You have clothes in your closet don’t fit quite right. (“I can only wear these jeans with loose fitting shirts.” or “Those are my skinny pants.”)
  • You have damaged pieces you can’t seem to say goodbye to.
  • You just don’t want to think about clothes!

Do not worry! I am here…

First stop: Sales!

It can be tempting to buy a blouse off the discount rack, simply because it’s $10 and might work with these jeans, or it’s the perfect color for those shoes. But then when you get home and it doesn’t look quite right, at $10 is it worth the drive back to the store, or the shipping cost it would take to return it? Now what? Hang it up! You might find the perfect occasion to wear it…. Someday.

No! No! NO!

It’s the mistake we’ve all made. I know I have. I’ve reluctantly donated clothes with the tags still on. Too often we waste our valuable time spinning circles in our closet trying to decide what to wear. This is because our closet is filled with items just like that discount blouse. Believe me, I GET IT! f you’ve ever stubbornly held on to something just to try to get your money’s worth, I can help.

It Just Doesn’t Fit

Everyone goes through phases of losing and gaining weight. In fact, that could be the primary reason you’re considering a personal stylist to begin with. But a lot of us are holding onto those “skinny pants” with the hopes of being inspired to lose the weight. While it seems logical, believe me, it’s only hurting you. You dressers and closets being flooded with items you can’t wear just makes it that much hard to select an outfit each day. It’s a waste of your time, time that could be spent earning money or doing things you love. Not to mention the depression that settles in when you try to squeeze into something that is just too small.

Some of you may have the opposite problem. You’ve just lost weight and you feel and look great, but you’re reluctant to invest the money in all new clothes because, well, it’s just so expensive! Those jeans may have been your favorites, but they’re not doing you any favors being belted up to look like a lunch bag. A major component of style, and in my opinion the primary one, is to make you feel confident! When you feel good, good things happen. So if you’ve recently shed some pounds, reward yourself with a few pieces that fit you well and make you feel good.

Damaged Goods

I once had a very stylish friend who had a talent for combining all the right styles and colors to look 100%. However, one day she showed up to our dinner date wearing a boot with a dime sized hole in the toe! Don’t get me wrong, the boots were cute (or at least had been) but all I could do was stare at her purple sock peeping through. The moral of the story: no matter how fashion savvy you may be, a rip or hole in your clothes NEVER looks good. 

In conclusion…

Wouldn’t it nice to just close your eyes, reach into your closet, and pull out the perfect outfit? While that might not be completely possible, I can help get you close. Learning how to shop takes time. Whether you’re looking to buy new, or trying to shop your own closet, there are many factors to consider. Hopefully this post shed a little light and will help you get started on your transformation. If you have questions, or you have a problem I didn’t address here, please let me know!

I’m here to help!

XOX

Theresa

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