I found the perfect black dress at SaveMart (a thrift store) and it only cost $12.99. It fits perfectly, is super comfortable and I knew it would be very versatile so I gleefully snapped it up when I found it.
If there's one thing you should have in your wardrobe, it's a black dress. You can dress it up or down and wear it year round. Here are a few ways that you could style your plain black dress:
Coloured tights
If, like I am, you're a little nervous
of sporting coloured tights then stick with darker shades - maroon,
forest green, navy, or purple like I'm wearing here. I chose purple
shoes to help elongate my legs and tied in the colour with a purple
handbag and a floral scarf and bracelts with purple in them.
Tights:
Number 1 Shoe Warehouse; Shoes: Lime from Next outlet; Bag: SaveMart;
Bracelets: gift from my friend Rachel; Scarf: Primark
Scarf and boots
Toffee coloured boots bring this dress into autumn. A matching belt and a soft scarf complete the look.
Boots: Clarks outlet; Scarf: can't remember; Belt: came with a dress from Tesco
Touches of punk
Enjoy the punk trend by adding black
leggings, black flat boots, and leather and spike bracelets, with a
denim jacket. I only have riding style boots but biker boots would look
awesome.
Boots: Clarks outlet; Leggings: Matalan; Leather bracelet: Cotton On; Spike bracelets: eBay; Denim jacket: SaveMart
A pop of colour
The black is lifted by a pop of turquoise in necklace, ring and shoes.
Shoes: Asda; Ring: eBay; Necklace: eBay
Fun coat
The black dress is a perfect background to this fun polka dot coat. Fishnet tights and black shoes complete the look.
Coat: SaveMart; Shoes: thrift store; Necklace: Accessorize outlet
Lighten up for spring
A white cardigan, yellow belt and wedges bring this dress easily into spring. The belt-over-cardigan thing just looks wrong on me but if it works on you then I'd recommend wearing it that way.
Cardigan: Sainsbury's; Belt: eBay; Wedges: eBay
Layer a blouse underneath
Adding a blouse underneath the
dress creates a little interest at the neckline. The red belt and
wedges tie in nicely.
Blouse: thrift store; Belt: Sainsbury's; Wedges: Asos
Another spring look
The contrast of the black showing
through the white of this crocheted cardigan really shows up the lacy
pattern. Adding a pop of colour with necklace, bracelet and wedges keeps
the look fun.
Cardigan: thrift store; Necklace: Clarks outlet; Bracelet: can't remember; Wedges: Number 1 Shoe Warehouse
A touch of silver
Shine with silver in shoes, belt, bracelet and necklace.
Shoes: eBay; Belt: eBay; Bracelet: thrift store; Necklace: Next (gift from my friend Rachel)
Casual in pink
A pink short-sleeved cardigan, ballet flats and bunting necklace keep this look casual.
Shoes: Tesco; Cardigan: eBay; Necklace: eBay
Out on the town
Dress it up with sexy shoes, pretty jewellery and a pashmina (or, in this case, a scarf repurposed as a stole).
Shoes: Hannahs; Scarf: can't remember; Necklace and bracelet: Forever 21 (gift from my friend Leith)
Casual and comfy
Another casual look with a short-sleeved cardigan, long necklace and black flats.
Cardigan: eBay; Necklace: gift from my friend Karen; Shoes: Brantano
Psychedelic
Layer a fun 70's inspired chiffon blouse over the dress and add a belt. Team with boots for a look that screams autumn.
Boots: Clarks outlet; Necklace: can't remember; Belt: Matalan; Blouse: eBay
Black and brown
Yes, you can mix black and brown together! Add a brown belt, chocolate corduroy blazer, brown tights and black shoes for a comfortable winter look.
Blazer: Next outlet; Belt: thrift store; Necklace: Accessorize outlet; Tights: Asda; Shoes: Shoe Market
Keep it casual
A denim jacket, long necklace and wedges are enough to keep this dress casual.
Jacket: SaveMart; Necklace: gift from my friend Leith; Wedges: eBay
And there you have it, 15 ways to style a black dress! And on a budget too - if you read the fine print you'll see that almost everything I wear is thrifted, on sale, from eBay or from outlet stores. There's no need to spend a lot when growing your wardrobe.
I hope this was helpful in some way. If there are any other items you'd like to see styled different ways, please let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can do :)
