If my LBD wasn't Black...

Like a lot of a.f.ers, I have more than one Little Black Dress. I don't
think I would choose black so often if my holy grail LBDs had been available
in different colors. Most of my dressy socializing is restaurant–based, so
the top part of the dress is all that is seen. Black isn't the most
flattering color on me.
What other color(s) would you choose for your LBDs if you had an option?
(And describe your LBDs if you have the time.)
Most of my LBDs are Betsey Johnson. The latest, greatest is a two–layer
number that hits just at the knee; it has 3/4 fitted sleeves and is a layer
of stretchy black lace over a black slip. I wish it was RED.
I would also love to have LBD equivalents in deep purple, lavender and navy
blue.
cofarb
p.s. Selling just a few vintage items on ebay. I spent a long time writing
the description of the Valentino dress, so I'd love a.f.ers to read it even
though it's a small size. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcofarbQQhtZ–1

"cofarb" <do...@cofarb.com> wrote in message
news:6bOdnQ__8oMeq5LZRVn–...@adelphia.com...
The seashells on the bodice are chambered nautilus and whelks.

cofarb wrote:
I really only have one (gasp!) that counts as a true LBD and it's the
best of both worlds. It actually is black but made of 2 layers of
jersey knit – one black and one sheer black that flashes a royal blue
metallic when it hits the light. It sounds like it might be tacky but
isn't. It has several skinny shoulder straps on either shoulder, a
fitted bodice that's shaped like a corset, and then breaks into a
flared skirt at the waist. It is below mid calf and I bought it for a
company holiday party a few years ago.
I wouldn't change a thing about this LBD because though black isn't
flattering on me either, the open–ness of the neckline and the royal
blue "flash" make it work for me.
Vicki in DC

On 3/8/06 1:54 PM, in article 6bOdnQ__8oMeq5LZRVn–...@adelphia.com, "cofarb"
<do...@cofarb.com> wrote:
Hmmm, are LBDs by definition formal? If not, I have a number of L*Ds in
white, sky blue, dark red, navy, & black –– the majority of which are black,
which is not unflattering for me. I actually wish that I had more white
casual summertime dresses even though they're fattening.
ami
Who has been on a white kick since last year

"cofarb" <do...@cofarb.com> wrote in message
news:6bOdnQ__8oMeq5LZRVn–...@adelphia.com...
I have success carrying off a tea–length sheath dress in gray. As long as
there were hues of lt. gray, charcoal or black in it (herringbone weave,
mini checks), I'm ready to go.
My HG color is black. I had strayed away from it for a number of years and
it always felt less than ideal for my complexion. As much as I adore the
colors lavender and red these colors look like they were plastered on me,
unfortunately. I might consider a deep emerald green. I would like to carry
off linen white or ecru, good with lightly tanned skin.
I don't consider all LBDs to be A–line so maybe it's off tangent... my
favorite LBDs all came from vintage clothing stores with differing cuts and
necks (deep V, boat, ballet, square princess, sequined). The bottom parts
are just as important –– I like empire, swing, tea lengths, mermaid/trumpet,
peplum. I don't care for slits, poofs or asymmetrics, just doesn't look
right on me. My makeup and style for formal occassions (not too many these
days) leans toward "french" vintage. I love my black A–Line (slightly baby
doll) dress that falls above the knees. It has Chanel inspired gold cc's on
enamel buttons on front.

I love almost every color other than purple or white. My favorite LBD
would be teal, chocolate or charcoal.
Audrey

I would choose white if I wasn't such a dirt magnet. I love bright
pink and turquoise though.. and then there is the proverbial red and
white hawaiian print.
I am all over the map
Stevie

On 3/9/06 7:12 AM, in article NIednSH7grohtI3ZRVn–...@adelphia.com, "cofarb"
<do...@cofarb.com> wrote:
I hope that I can find a summery white dress that I like; however, since I'm
trying to cut back on spending, I'm sure that I'll find at least 5! ;)
ami

"ami kio" <...@cant–take–anymore–spam.com> wrote in message
news:C0350DB1.6E774%...@cant–take–anymore–spam.com...
This is your year, Ami! White is everywhere, at least in the magazines.
Everything from babydoll ruffles and lace to crisp man–tailored buttondowns.
Go for it!
I'm getting ready to take the plunge too. Yesterday I invested in two
Clorox bleach pens and one Tide to Go pen. ("Yada–yada, chocolate; come and
get me!")
––
cofarb
p.s. Selling just a few vintage items on ebay. I spent a long time writing
the description of the Valentino dress, so I'd love a.f.ers to read it even
though it's a small size. http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcofarbQQhtZ–1

ami kio wrote:
Not by my definition. To me, an LBD is defined as a versatile dress
with simple, non–fussy lines that can be easily dressed up *or* down.
It's the kind of dress that's so simple and understated, you could get
away with wearing it every day, mixed and matched with other things to
get a new look, and people wouldn't notice it's the same dress.
For example, I might throw on my LBD with a jean jacket and flats and I
have a casual look. Pair it with a suit jacket and pumps and I have a
professional look. Put on chandelier earrings, a gauzy wrap, and
strappy heels and I have a formal look. All with the same simple dress.
To pull this off best, the fabric should be something that can work
either formal or not – wool or rayon is especially good.
I think an LBD doesn't necessarily have to be black, although black
tends to be easiest for most of us to dress up or down, and to
coordinate with other things in the closet. It's like having the
perfect pair of black pants. But I would think that any color you
normally wear for dress pants might work on the same versatility
principle: grey, brown, khaki, navy and yes definetly white (which
needn't be just for summer – winter white is an elegant option in
colder months). For example if you never wear black pants but instead
rely on brown or grey, then that would be an excellent option for an
LBD because it'll likely coordinate well.
Alternatively an LBD could also be in your favorite accent color and
not a neutral. This would work well if you have a lot of jackets in
neutrals instead of accent colors. But then again, an LBD in an accent
color is going to be more memorable.
If your major use for an LBD is usually formal, then there's definetly
no need for it to be black, and you can look for dressier fabrics too.
A striking color like red or emerald or saphire will let you stand out
in the crowd.
Evaluating my own closet, let's see.......I do have several LBDs in the
standard black and they have proven to be most versatile for me, but
then again, I also own a lot of black pants. And I have a simple
chocolate brown dress that comes close to being just as versatile too.
I added a navy dress last summer, but I have to admit navy isn't one of
my most flattering colors so I find I tend to pass it up.
For formal occasions I do have an array of dresses in colors other than
black. I have champagne, red, and a blue I can't describe... very bold
color (I like to wear it for New Year's when I'm sick of red, green and
black from the holidays). But all of these are in dressier fabrics with
dressier details like sequins and rhinestones, so I couldn't imagine
dressing them down, and they're too memorable and stand–out to be all
that versatile.
jen