4 Ways to Style a Black Dress
A common clothing staple I keep in my closet is a black dress. T-shirt fit, A-line, shift & bodycon - I got it all ready at my disposal. So how can you style a classic staple, to make one dress work in multiple ways?
I’ve been asking this question to myself for years now, and I think I finally found the answer. Layering is a huge part of transforming an outfit, and this blog post will show you 4 ways to style a black dress. Interested? Then keep on reading!
Style 1: Cardigan or a kimono
Cardigans and kimonos are great layering pieces for when it is too hot outside to wear a lightweight jacket. I usually aim for a flowy kimono that has interesting patterns on it, or is cut in a certain way.
Most of the cardigans/kimonos I have are from Charming Charlie, Charlotte Russe, and from thrifting around local shops in Charlotte, NC. But now that Charming Charlie and Charlotte Russe are closing, I have to find a new place to buy my layering pieces!
My tip for you: find a cardigan or kimono that either accents the color in your dress, or makes your dress a great backdrop for the flowy piece you’re layering on top.
Bonus tip: match the color of your shoes to a color in the cardigan or kimono. You’ll look like you are super composed & fashionable, when really you threw on a dress & kimono and walked out the door.
Let me know if you think this style tip is helpful!
BLACK T-SHIRT DRESS WITH FLOWERY KIMONO
Style 2: Jean jacket
This style tip can be applied with so many washes & distresses of jean jackets. For this photo in particular, I paired a black skater dress with a white jean jacket.
You can aim for a more proper look by having the jacket more fitted to your body. Or you can try and pull of the “I just woke up like this” look, and layer your black dress with an oversized + distressed dark blue jean jacket.
The options are endless when it comes to jean jackets since you can style the sleeves and also play with the type of jean jacket you are wearing.
Jean jackets are hard to find in a decent price range. I found that shopping in the junior’s section of TJ Maxx has more fashionable options, and at a cheaper price. A jean jacket in the women’s section could be $39.99, but the same style of jean jacket could be found in the junior’s section for $19.99.
Don’t be afraid to shop around in other departments to find your ideal jean jacket.
Who knows…maybe you will find your one true love of a jean jacket in the men’s department.
BLACK SKATER DRESS WITH WHITE JEAN JACKET
Style 3: Flannel around the waist
This style tip is one of my favorites because you can hide the food baby you ate at lunch, but still look cute!
This tip also works if you want to layer a flannel and wear it during the morning, and tie it around your waist when it gets hotter in the afternoon.
The color of the flannel is also super fun to play with. I went with a monochromatic look in this picture, but you can have any sort of color flannel and the outfit will still execute well.
Aiming for a more grungy look?
Try pairing your black dress & flannel with some combat boots or a pair of booties. Shoes are just as important of an accessory as the top you are layering with.
There are so many ways to style a flannel - just use your imagination!
BLACK SKATER DRESS WITH BLACK-AND-WHITE FLANNEL WRAPPED AROUND WAIST
Style 4: Layering with a button-up top
I never thought I would love this style tip until I tried it myself.
I was scrolling through Pinterest, trying to get some inspiration of how to style a black dress, and I saw a picture that made it look like the shirt and the dress were actually a skirt and a tied-up button-up top.
Instantly I thought, “genius! Why haven’t I tried this before??” So then I went on my way to my closet, pulled out my newest button-up top, popped a couple buttons, tied it around my waist and, voila!!
Depending on the photo editor you use, you can make your button-up black dress layered look feel like a 50’s inspired housewife.
Don’t believe me? Check out this post on Instagram (shameless self plug, but you gotta give me credit for trying).
Tag #inspiredbydiane so I can see how you layer your black dresses with your cute button-up tops!
BLACK SKATER DRESS WITH BUTTON-UP TOP TIED ABOVE WAIST
I hope this style post helped you re-think how you style the black dress sitting on the rack in your closet.
Maybe I even inspired you to try one of these style tips with another outfit piece!
If you get inspired by this post, make sure to tag #inspiredbydiane on social media. I’d love to see you beautiful babes in your inspired outfits!
