Things Every Girl Needs: A Little Black Dress

This week's guest for the Thing Every Girl Needs series is brand new blogger Sarah from Life: An Observation, here to provide a round-up of one of the most important things we all need - a little black dress:

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Fashion historians link the little black dress to CoCo Chanel in the 1920s.  Originally designed for a cocktail or evening dress, the little black dress has entered daily life with its simple elegance and ease of building it into any wardrobe.  It can go from errands to the board room to the office holiday party with a few simple tweaks to accessories, hair and make up.  Some of the dresses I picked can be used for more than one occasion, while others are just for one event. Here are some options of various shapes, styles and uses:

White House Black Market Fit n Flare Dress
This dress would be perfect for the office or a drink with the girls.  Pair it with black flats, a red belt, pearl necklace and camel cardigan and you're ready for a day at the office.  Swap those flats for heels, pearl necklace for a statement necklace and cardigan for a colorful wrap and you're ready for happy hour.

LOFT Tube Maxi Dress

While not technically a "little" black dress, maxi dresses are hot right now.  This dress can be worn throughout the summer and fall with different accessories.  For summer, pair with a wide brim hat, bangle bracelets and strappy sandals for a day shopping or running errands.  When the summer turns to fall, pair with a denim jacket, colorful scarf, tights and black leather boots.

Modcloth Subtly Sublime Dress
This dress is elegant and understated.  A simple necklace and heels are all you need for this dress.  Match with a cardigan to cover arms.  Dressy enough for a party but demure enough for a funeral, this dress has multiple uses

Charter Club Sateen Shirtdress 
This dress is great for the girl on the go.  Simple, yet stylish, this dress can be worn while shopping, running after the kids, a picnic or date night.  

Elegance in Everything Curvy Plus Dress
Cocktails, anyone?  Turn heads in the black, one shoulder number.  Diamond earrings, a funky clutch and high heels would make this dress pop.  Although not for the faint of heart, the ruching and folds will help define a waist.

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 Thanks for the great post Sarah!  I'm loving the LOFT maxi dress... if only it weren't as tall as I am.  If anyone else would like to submit a post for this series, send me an email and we'll arrange a date and topic.  There are still slots open in April!