You and Your Little Black Dress

I was blessed to be the keynote speaker this year for the Little Black Dress Affair in Owatonna, MN – 350 women turned out to help raise support for Steele County Clothes Line and IRIS (Infants Remembered In Silence). Two very important support systems, one for women who need professional clothes as they re-enter the work force, the other for families who have lost infants, which I could have easily been numbered among due to my own birth defect.

Does a little black dress really have to be black?

But what if it is not your color? I was faced with this recently at a wonderful fundraising event I had the pleasure of being a part of. When I asked what percentage of the attendees actually wore black dresses, the reply was 100%. Somehow I had a feeling with 350 in attendance, we’d see variations on black dresses. So I chanced it and opted for my gold sequined black dress and decided not to stress about it.

As it turned out, many who attended that evening had sequin embellished dresses, shawls in sparkling metallic and yes, there were even a few LCD’s (not TV’s – “Little Colorful Dresses”).

A little black dress is a nice staple for the closet, but if it soaks color out of your face, try adding a little glitter in your jewelry (rhinestone necklace/earrings, shimmering gold, or a bold color in a statement piece). Consider a shawl, jacket or scarf in a silver, copper or unique shimmering color to keep you from feeling washed out.

 And, last but not least, be sure to bump up your lip color (a shade of red perhaps?) and do a smoky eye for the event, after all, if you are going to play dress up – might as well go all the way!

Jill Swanson & Anne Deetz at the Little Black Dress Affair

Got a little help from my fashionable friend, Anne. I spoke and she helped me as we worked together at The Little Black Dress Vintage Flair Affair — and she so nailed the vintage vogue look!  I had to settle for easy , since already had to do 4 changes of clothing that night!  

 

Jill Swanson, owner of Beauty Made Easy, image coach, style consultant, corporate speaker, national speaker, and the author of Out the Door in 15 Minutes, Simply Beautiful Inside & Out,  Simply Scarves, and Simply Closets.

Want to look fabulous fast?  Learn how with my new book, Out the Door in 15 Minutes!  You can purchase it here on the site, at www.jillswanson.com or from Amazon.