Make it work: make good use of that stretchy, skin tight sheath dress.
There was once a time, not so very long ago, that
bodycon dresses were all the rage. Short, simple, form-fitting and endless textile possibility: what more could you want? I breathe some new life into the dresses that are hanging in my closet right now as it's time for me to start wearing my Had to Buy items. We all know that Have to Buy's. They live on a sale rack in the back of your favorite inexpensive mall clothing store, usually something with a "Forever" in it (
Rue 21,
Forever 21...). Almost always less than 5 bucks, how can you pass up these sales?!?! Then the ridiculous item sits in your closet, unworn, depressed for months, years even! Most ladies probably have somethings (or
things) that would fit this description.
My things are dresses:
So I a putting a new spin on a bodycon dress! I chose my Marvel comic book print dress for this dress up party.
1. Duh, it's a frickin dress.
With: Journee collection blue suede booties, black skinny belt and blue croc wristlet
For: Going out for drinks with friends, clubbing, attempting to pick up a man
Why it works: This is the natural state of a bodycon dress in the wild. It roams in packs with those it can semi-blend in with, generally with a phone (using forward facing camera for ultimate selfie precision) and some type of fruity drink in the other hand. Also, the shoes are to die for and they coordinate fabulously with the wristlet. This dress has colors for days, so you can use a variety of accessories and still look put together.
2. Wait...it's also a frickin top?
With: Black wedge mules from
Shoedazzle.com, L.E.I. black denim skinny capris and coral statement necklace.
For: hanging with the b---hes, grocery shopping, running a marathon (for real, these heels are awesome)
Why it works: It's super comfortable while still being a bit more fancy, as it's dressed up with the lovely wedges and a large piece of jewelry, than a standard jeans-and-tee-party. The dress is short and thin enough that it can be comfortably tucked in to a waistband. I like to do the tuck and drape maneuver.
3. Cool kid on the block
With: black strappy sandals and No Boundaries crochet tiered shorts
For: chillin. This is a very laidback outfit to do whatever you want in. But nothing too crazy because those sandals don't have a very think insole and you don't want to snag the crochet shorts on anything (never an issue I though I'd have)
Why it works: I love black with everything, and the dress has a fabulous print with lots of black outlines. Once again, the patented tuck and drape method at work.
4. Good outfits are like ogres, they have layers
With: beat to hell cardigan from Old Navy, black thigh high socks and brown faux-biker boots
For: making that dress work well into the rainy season, playing strip poker (please see layers comment above), running errands
Why it works: I always love a good cardigan, and this hem happens to hit very nicely on this dress. It is kind of one of the "I just threw this on and happened to look completely awesome" outfits that either work, or don't. It was a lucky chance.
5. Bring your geek to the workplace
With: blue striped George shirt, black sateen BCBG Generation slacks and black pointed toe boots (mostly just because they are super long slacks and they need to be hemmed)
For: work! If your office allows dressy-casual this honestly would work. Also can wear for impromptu photo shoots in your bedroom.
Why it works: the dress doubled as a fabulous sweater. It is thin enough to lay comfortably over the button-up without adding too much bulk. I love these slacks, they quickly dress up a casual top and the lovely sateen material has a soft shine to them that really flatters.
