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Styling Up a Basic Black Dress

Janet Camilleri · 02/01/2014 ·

I recently bought a basic black dress from Cotton On for $19.95, knowing that it would be a great piece from Summer right through to Winter.

As I’ve been told by my adoring fans – okay, one adoring fan (thanks Pinky Poinker!) – that I should do more fashion posts, I thought I’d go shopping in my own wardrobe and share some of my ideas for Summer style with you …

Basic Black Dress – Summer Style 1

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Q. What do you get when you combine two old favourites – denim, with a basic black dress?

A. An outfit that you will turn to again and again!

I’ve already worn this combo a number of times, and I’m sure it will continue to get a workout. The denim tie-front blouse was just $12 from Kmart, and I’m keeping it casual and comfy with clear sparkly jelly shoes.

Basic Black Dress – Summer Style 2

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Add a scarf and some cute shoes in a peachy shade, and there you have another look that can go just about anywhere – from coffee with friends, to a movie date with your man. Add some glasses to give you a real “sophisticated” edge (or just so you can see!) …

Basic Black Dress – Summer Style 3

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Take your basic black dress into the corporate dimension by adding black patent heels and throwing a long print shirt (this one came from Crossroads last year) or kimono style jacket (very now!) over the top, adding a statement necklace (Big W, last year), and pinning your hair into a bun that means business!

So now dear readers, what do you think? Would you like to see more fashion posts – or am I totally deluded that anybody would want to see what this middle aged mama is styling up?!

Filed Under: Fashion & Beauty

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pinky Poinker says

    02/01/2014 at 4:50 pm

    I hope everyone says YES Janet. I think I like #3 the best. That print shirt adds a creative touch and lengthens the look. Not that I know anything… which is why I like reading your fashion advice 🙂

    • Janet says

      03/01/2014 at 9:05 pm

      Ha ha – this could be a case of the blind leading the blind?!

    • Kirsten McCulloch says

      05/01/2014 at 4:26 pm

      I like number three too, though I like the cute shoes in number 2 🙂

  2. Rae Hilhorst says

    02/01/2014 at 6:15 pm

    That’s three different looks, amazing what your little black dress can do, you look fabulous. I am a fan of your scarves, I have jelly shoes to and they helped me slide down the stairs and end up on my knees. (nobody saw me, and it was Christmas day and no I hadn’t had anything to drink) Still wear them but am a bit more cautious. xxx Rae

    • Janet says

      03/01/2014 at 9:05 pm

      Ouch that is no good Rae! I will be careful next time I wear mine too!

  3. Becc says

    03/01/2014 at 12:57 pm

    Now we know why a LBD is an essential wardrobe item 🙂

    • Janet says

      03/01/2014 at 9:04 pm

      I’ve always thought of the LBD as an evening wear staple, but this goes to show it’s great for day time too!

  4. Kathy Marris says

    03/01/2014 at 3:47 pm

    I must admit I am a big fan of the LBD. I like to style it up with a bright chunky necklace and colourful sandals. A LBD is definitely a wardrobe staple and every woman should have one.

    • Janet says

      03/01/2014 at 9:04 pm

      I haven’t had one in years! This one is very casual being in a t-shirt fabric, would be nice to have a slightly dressier/evening version too 🙂

  5. Jennifer Kimberley says

    03/01/2014 at 4:45 pm

    I like the #3 too. It looks fab!!!

  6. Karen says

    03/01/2014 at 7:46 pm

    Love all the looks, especially number 2. Can I ask about the length of the dress, it looks longer on the model than it does on you? What’s the sizing like too, Cotton On can be a bit squeezy no?

    • Janet says

      03/01/2014 at 9:03 pm

      I noticed that too Karen, definitely shorter on me and I’m not tall – 5ft 4 max. I’m wearing a size L and it fits quite nicely, I was surprised too as I normally wear a size 14 to 16!

  7. Katyberry says

    05/01/2014 at 5:44 pm

    I like it!! And doing more fashion posts sounds like a great reason to continue shopping!

  8. Eleise says

    06/01/2014 at 7:49 am

    I have so many LBD it is crazy but I love to dress them up with bold accessories, I love the scarf!

  9. Jaz says

    06/01/2014 at 10:12 am

    I love that black dress, I’m going to straight to Cotton On today! I can’t resist a bargain, especially a bargain that becomes a staple 🙂

    Thanks for linking up with #BOTW xx

  10. Eva @ The Multitasking Mummy says

    07/01/2014 at 8:15 pm

    Yes, more fashion posts. I’m the type of person that needs to ‘see’ what you can do with things when it comes to fashion or home decorating and so this post is very helpful. I wouldn’t have even thought of adding tops to a dress!

    • Janet Camilleri says

      07/01/2014 at 8:54 pm

      Nawww thanks for your thumbs up Eva. Plenty more fashion posts to come – in fact today I’m talking tips for buying fashion online!

  11. Rhianna says

    08/01/2014 at 3:13 pm

    Great post Janet, I love that one dress can have so many looks.

  12. SarahD @SnippetsandSpirits says

    10/01/2014 at 10:21 pm

    You look great. So versatile is the little black dress.

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Meet the Middle Aged Mama

Janet Camilleri is an Australian bloggerHi - I'm Janet Camilleri aka the Middle Aged Mama; crazy cat lady, award-winning business woman, and mother of two grown children. I might be a middle aged woman, but that doesn't mean I've lost all interest in looking stylish! I love chocolate, chick lit, cruising holidays and the husbear - and not necessarily in that order wink. I live in Brisbane, Australia, and I'm learning how to fashion a new life now that we have an empty nest - did somebody say "travel"?!

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