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The Versatility of an LBD

September 24, 2016

Hi loves!
I’d like to talk about something I think that everyone, and I mean everyone, should have in their closet, the little black dress! They can be worn for pretty much any occasion, from work to play, to a wedding or a funeral, to cocktail parties or for date night. With the addition (or sometimes subtraction) of accessories, shoes, and jewelry, almost every LBD can be worn to multiple events, on the same day if necessary!
When looking for versatility in an LBD, I search for one with a few key factors…
Length – at my work, nothing shorter than knee-length will fly. If you’re in a more casual work environment, or your day doesn’t consist of heading in to an office, a shorter hemline is fine, just keep the taste level in check.
Neckline – the same goes in this respect for keeping it classy. You can always add on sparkly accessories and sky-high heels for after-hours, but a plunging V isn’t usually going to work for at the office, limiting it’s versatility.
Fabric – I shy away from anything particularly delicate if it’s a piece I want to get tons of use out of. Also, less sturdy fabrics have a tendency to wrinkle more easily, and it kind of takes away from the day-to-night appeal if you have to steam your dress in-between!
Embellishments – I love a beaded neckline or fun trim, just picture which accessories will pair well with a dress that already has a bit of it’s own personality.
Waistline – It may sound like a funny thing to take in to consideration, but I generally search for dresses that will look great when worn with a belt. A drop-waist or empire-waist dress wouldn’t work with a belt, so I avoid those styles.

Here, I’m wearing a gorgeous dress from the new London Times Curve Fall Collection. This style and other great LBD’s are now available online. This one was love at first sight, because I adore the mixed textures, the high neckline (to truly highlight a statement necklace), and you all know lace is pretty much my favorite thing. I could easily pair it with a bright cardigan and flats for work, layered under a trench coat with tights and booties in cooler weather, or with metallic accessories and a bold red lip. Perfection!

What’s your favorite way to style an LBD?
I’d love to hear in the comments below.

Dress c/o London Times // Heels / Ivanka Trump // Belt / Steve Madden // Earrings / vintage // Cocktail ring / Alexis Bittar // Gold rings / Forever 21

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post is sponsored by London Times. Items in this post were provided to me for reviewing purposes. Any thoughts/opinions are my own. By clicking on the links in this post, I may be compensated. This is part of what helps me continue doing what I love to do, sharing styling tips and trends with you! 😀

August Stitch Fix

September 14, 2016

Welcome to my August Stitch Fix!
This month, I forgot to submit any requests to my stylist, but thankfully, she’s been watching my Pinterest boards, because she definitely found some amazing items that she knew I’d love.. Spolier alert, I ended up buying my entire fix for 25% off! My stylist knows that I don’t wear any hemlines above the knee (or not much above it, anyway), I love fun prints, lace, pieces that can transition from work day to date night, and colored pants. She pretty much hit every note just right, as I’ve been wearing all of these pieces in heavy rotation since they arrived at my door. I’m not sure how I managed to do it, but I lost my invoice so I don’t have prices available for my August Stitch Fix items to share with you.. The total usually ends up being around $200, because I keep my requested price-per-piece under $50. Read on for all of the details on my August Stitch Fix!

Top & Pants / Stitch Fix // Crossbody bag / Cambridge Satchel Co. from the Box of Style // Wedges / JustFab // Sunnies / Amazon
First up, two Stitch Fix items, this sheer floral-printed top with crochet panels, and these slightly sheeny (that’s a word, right?!) olive cropped pants. The pants had been on my wishlist for a while, and are even more versatile than I imagined. I’ve paired them with everything from striped tees to a strappy tank, and I can’t wait to match them up with a chunky sweater, once the weather allows. The shirt I love because it’s light and breezy and the floral print isn’t necessarily season-specific.

Maxi dress / Stitch Fix // Bag / Shaffer LA from the Box of Style // Sunnies / Amazon
I can always go for another maxi dress, and although this version is a tiny bit snug, I love how long it is (floor-grazing with low wedges), and the mixture of turquoise and navy is so pretty.

Top & Pants / Stitch Fix // Bag / American Eagle // Sandals / Seychelles // Sunnies / Amazon
Initially, I thought that this tank was a little big on me, but I grew to love its airy, flowyness and the fringe looks so cool when you walk. It does kind of stick to my pants a bit when I’m just standing, but I’m hoping a spray of Static Guard will help.

Top / Stitch Fix // Jeans / Old Navy // Sandals / JcPenney // Necklace / LA find // Sunnies / Amazon
This lace top was definitely a size too large for me, so I exchanged it for one smaller. This was my first time exchanging something at Stitch Fix, and the process was quite smooth. At checkout, I just hit the “exchange” button, selected a new size, and I received the smaller top within days. I’ve never seen a top with a lace overlay and a brighter tank peeking out from underneath, and again, loving the turquoise/navy color combo.

Top / BohoCheri // Jeans / Stitch Fix // Sandals / JustFab // Necklace / Kyle Chan Design // Bag / Shaffer LA from the Box of Style // Bracelets / Forever 21 & LA find // Sunnies / Amazon
I didn’t know if I’d like these cropped, frayed jeans, but they’ve totally grown on me! They’re the perfect length for late summer/early fall and pairing with lace-up sandals.

All in all, a near perfect fix, and all of this without even requesting anything specific! It pays to stick with the same stylist for a while, because they really get to know what works for you. To sign up for Stitch Fix, feel free to use my link here. Each fix is a $20 styling fee up front, which is redeemable towards the purchase of anything you’re sent.

All photography by Holli Zenko.

How to Wear White After Labor Day

September 6, 2016

Wearing white after Labor Day has always been one of those fashion rules that I never quite knew how to follow. A classic white button-down blouse, white jeans, etc.. I feel that I can make them work during any season. That being said, there are definitely a couple guidelines that I follow to keep an outfit from looking too summery.
First, start with some season-appropriate grounding pieces. For fall, I’m loving shades of mustard, crimson, navy and milk chocolate. If you’re planning on wearing white jeans, a burgundy or slate grey sweater would be a lovely pairing. I like to wear a dressy white blouse with colored pants, like the toffee ones I’m wearing here. Combining white with darker tones takes the look into cooler temperatures and away from the florals and brights of summer.
Next, I like to add in some metallic accents. A statement necklace or delicate layered pieces, a brooch or drop earrings, anything that basically you wouldn’t wear when it’s 100 degrees outside. I especially love a gold or jewel-toned brooch pinned on a blazer or coat (even on the lapel of a blouse).
Lastly, I recommend making sure the whole look is balanced. If you’re wearing a white bottom, shy away from a super light top, and vice versa. Wearing head-to-toe white is the quickest way to look like you belong at a pool party ;D Simple sheath or skater dresses can still work, but add another layer on top, like a navy blazer or camel trench coat.
I hope my tips were helpful on showing you how to wear white after Labor Day. After all, fashion rules were made to be broken!

Blouse, Pants, Bag & Heels all c/o Simply Be // Ring / Kyle Chan Design // Necklace / FabFitFun (use code PUMPKIN for $10 off the fall box)

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.

This post was sponsored by Simply Be. Items in this post were provided to me for review and posting purposes. All thoughts expressed are my own. This post also contains affiliate links. By clicking on these links and/or making a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps to allow me to continue bringing quality content to Dressed for Time.

Monday at the Mansion

September 6, 2016

Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting one of the most lovely properties in my hometown. The proprietors, friends of my photographer, were gracious enough to invite us in to their magnificent manor and serve us a home-cooked meal. We took a few moments to explore the grounds, and I was overwhelmed by the views and verdant landscape. We figured what better time to take a few shots of my look for the evening; a lace & satin cocktail dress, suede kitten heels, and some diamonds around my wrist to celebrate Monday at the mansion.
On another note, I wanted to share some fantastic news. I’ve been working on several collaborations that I CAN NOT WAIT for you all to see! First up is a post on how to wear white after Labor Day, which will be up tomorrow, featuring a work look that is perfect for the impending cooler weather, featuring selections from retailer Simply Be. After that, I’ll be working on a couple of posts featuring some amazing LBD’s from Maggy London, and how to take them from day to night. Soon I’ll be shooting some transitional summer-to-fall looks highlighting gorgeous jewelry from Ronnie M, a local line of handmade wrap bracelets with stones and beads. I love being able to share items from lines that I already shop, and brands that I believe in.

Dress / Anthropologie // Heels / Ivanka Trump // Necklace / J. Crew // Clutch / vintage // Bracelet / Wilson’s Jewelers // Ring / LA find // Glasses / Warby Parker

Shot by Holli Zenko Photography.