THE Pre-Weekend Party Post!/Reader Mail: Updating the LBD

Reader Mail:

I have a fashion question for you. I have some black dresses that need updating. How/what would be the best way to do this? ...thanks for your insight. - Corina T.

Yayyy people asking me for fashion advice!!!
So, In my expert opinion, if you're in the market for a new LBD, look for strapless, sweetheart necklines, tulip skirts, fringe and feathers.  To update an existing dress, accessories can make all the difference. For instance, this season, dresses are more structured than they have been in the past: strong shoulders, visible tailoring (as in the underwear as outwear trend), sharp lines etc. However, flow-y dresses can be easily reined in with a strong belt, or a fitted blazer or shrug, and prominent bib necklaces and statement shoes instantly refresh and older dress. Tailoring is also a great and underutilized tool to update a piece. Sometimes a different hemline is all you need, and that can usually be taken care of at any dry cleaners for around $10.

Below are some examples of accessories to help update existing pieces, and little black dresses to use as inspiration whether you are in the market for a new one or just wanting to refine what you already have:

Leather jacket by Robert Roderiguez, shrug and blazer by Alice+Oliva

Elegantly Waisted, Motif 56, and Elegantly Waisted

Jenni Kayne, Sergio Rossi, Jill Stuart

Rachel Leigh, Adia Kibur, Kenneth Jay Lane

(above all via Shopbob)

Ay, those Jill Stuarts kind of make you want to shed a tear, right? and that necklace in the center? Stunning...

Anyway, if you're like me and covet but can't afford a single item at Shopbop, here's an outfit inspired by the looks above, but compiled solely using Forever 21, all for about $100 dollars.. alright, $111  

(Until very recently I thought that F21 was a store solely for high school girls to buy slooty school dance outfits, and so I hadn't visited one since high school... not that I ever wore a slooty outfit to a school dance.. On Monday, desperate to shop but with only pennies to my name I ventured to the ginormous 3-story location in downtown SF and bought three skirts, 5 undies, a bra and a beautiful top, all of which I love, and all for under $100, well, $199).

Platform Sandal, $25.80

Dress, $27.80

Blazer, $29.80

Belt, $7.80

Necklace $19.80

The moral of the story is that fashion doesn't have to discriminate, and you don't need a huge budget to find the styles you want.  Obviously I love fashion, and covet beautiful but tres cher pieces, that someone like me, a full-time student with a very part-time income, a maxed out credit card (remember how Carrie would spend her rent money on shoes but things always seemed to work out for her? not true in real life), and renting in one of the most expensive areas in the country, definitely cannot afford.  All of these factors do not mean that the financially challenged can't look amazing.  It also doesn't mean that there is no point in looking at more expensive designer pieces; they can provide great inspiration, and serve as a guide when trying to navigate stores like F21, H+M, Target, etc. for stand-out pieces that will make you feel totally glam (totally glam? I'm such a nerd!).

Thus concludes the Pre-Party Post, and my entirely inspiring sermon
(right, right?).

Have a great weekend babies, xoxo.

I don't do fashion, I am fashion  - Coco Chanel