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Black Bell Sleeve Shift Dress

Greetings, friends! Happy Monday! I’m getting a late start this morning. It’s been a full weekend, and I didn’t have today’s post prepped at all so it’s going up a little later than usual.

Today is day 9 of 26 Days of Fall Fashion, and I’m styling a black bell sleeve shift dress I picked up at White House Black Market.

I’ve been wanting to style some dresses for this series, and I can always depend on White House Black Market for having plenty to choose from. Plus they were having a 25% off sale so I was happy to take advantage of that!

I knew the second I saw this dress, I wanted to style it with these microsuede tie back booties and my leopard clutch for a fun night out look.

These booties came in my last Trunk Club. This tie-back style with the sock shaft is trending right now, and it’s fun because it’s also super slimming.

I think the sock boots look best paired with dresses, but you can also wear them with cropped flares or boyfriend jeans. I might try this outfit with tights when the weather gets colder, but for now, I went ahead and kept my legs bare. I could definitely use some self tanner, though. Yikes!

I love a leopard clutch for jazzing up a simple outfit, and it always works well with black. I picked up this Clare V. foldover clutch on a 25% off sale last summer and it’s a gorgeous bag, but there are lots of similar options for less if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly leopard clutch. I’ll link to some in the shopping widget at the end of this post.

I decided to take it up a notch with my accessories, but you could go with some that are more casual if you want to dress this look down a bit.

I forget where I got this tassel lariat necklace. The earrings and cuff bracelet are both Stella & Dot, but they’ve been discontinued. At least this gives you an idea of how I’d accessorize this dress for a dressed-up night out on the town.

I wanted to style this dress two ways, but they turned out to look fairly similar. No matter what I do, I always feel like a black dress is super dressy.

I swapped out the ankle boots for these suede crisscross slides, and I tried to choose a more casual necklace and earrings combo although I’m not sure this layer necklace ended up looking much more casual than the lariat. I also swapped out my leopard clutch for a taupe crossbody.

SALE ALERT >> My suede crisscross slides are 40% off! The come in blush and black.

I still want to play around with styling ideas, but this dress is a great find, and it’s priced pretty well at $88. Of course, it was a better price at 25% off. I’m surprised the sale didn’t last longer. I was hoping it would still be going today, but I don’t see anything about it on the website.

It has a flattering silhouette, and I like how the three-quarter bell sleeves incorporate the trend without getting in the way of eating and working.

dress // booties // leopard clutch (option) // similar lariat // similar earrings // similar gold bracelet // crisscross slides (40% off!) // similar taupe crossbody // layer necklace // two-tone earrings // watch

Be sure to visit Cyndi and see the fall outfit she’s styling today!

I also want to call your attention to a couple of opportunities for those who would like more help with wardrobe planning and personal styling.

Work Wear Capsule Wardrobe

My friend Alison at Get Your Pretty On is launching her Fall 2017 Work Wear Capsule Wardrobe today. If you aren’t familiar with the GYPO Style Challenges, it’s an online styling program that gives you the tools you need to build your own capsule wardrobe for the season. It only costs $29, and it’s a great way to simplify your life if you are a busy working woman with little time to shop.

I think this program is best for women who already know how to dress their body and are confident picking out styles that work for them but want the ease of a ready-made wardrobe and on-trend outfit ideas. You can find out more about this program HERE and sign up if you’re interested.

Adore Your Wardrobe Registration Ends TOMORROW

If what you need is help learning how to dress your unique body, Adore Your Wardrobe is a 30-day video eCourse that teaches the science and math, formulas and rules behind creating an amazing looking silhouette on your individual body. You also get access to a private forum where you receive personalized guidance from Kelly’s trained staff. This program will truly transform the way you think about clothes and how you put outfits together.

Registration for the next Adore Your Wardrobe course ends tomorrow, Tuesday, September 12th. This is the last time Kelly will run Adore Your Wardrobe in 2017, and it is also the last time it will be offered for $149, so if you’ve been on the fence, I highly recommend taking the plunge today! You can learn more about this program HERE.

Have a fabulous Monday!

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23 Responses

  1. I love that you styled this dress differently for us, Jo-Lynne! And I really love it with the ankle boots! I remember trying that last year and my mom (the 70+ model) had a tizzy because “you just don’t wear ankle boots with skirts”! Ha ha! Yet, I see it all the time and love this trend so much!!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    http://www.jtouchofstyle.com

    1. Nope, not out of style at all. I still have those SW OTK boots from the NSale (I am still not sure I want to keep them, lol) and I was thinking of trying it with them but all I could think of was Pretty Woman. LOL! I have cognac knee high boots… that could work.

  2. Love this dress. The only thing I would probably do is wear knee length boots or even OTK. I love how you can do anything with this dress by adding different colored jewelry.

  3. Two great looks Jo-Lynne. Could you add a sleeveless duster cardigan (with the boots) or a leopard print scarf (instead of the necklaces)? I love WHBM, just wish they had one up here.

    1. You know, they have a leopard skinny scarf in the store that I almost bought to wear with it. I think that would be a great option. A sleeveless vest/duster could definitely work if it had the right knit, but I struggle with those. I always feel a bit silly.

  4. Pretty! I tried that dress on…so comfy, felt like a nightie! Of course your accessories keep it from looking like a nightie! Love those sock boots. I think I will start my search for a pair that will fit my skinny ankles! Love the idea of OTK boots, too! I don’t think it would look “Pretty Woman.” I actually want something short to wear mine with. I usually just end up wearing them with jeans/leggings. 

  5. What size dress are you wearing?  I know sometimes I don’t wear same size in White House Black Market as I do in other clothes so was just wanting a reference.  

  6. Love the dress……but it is a little short for those a “little mature”, I think.  And especially for fall and winter.  But of course, boots and tights could always solve that problem.  

  7. you look real good in this – so for those with shorter legs, is this length of boots going to make the legs look shorter? With more muscular calves and legs i try to draw attention away from them. I try to stick with one color for my whole leg/feet. In the south we usually wear suede only in real cold weather. Thanks for inspiring me to branch out a bit! Love the outfit on you!

    1. I think it depends on how tall you are. This dress is shorter, so that helps, however, the dark boots and dark dress with bare legs definitely chops up the line of the leg and isn’t the best look for everyone. Tights in black or another dark contrasting color (grey or burgundy) would work better for those with shorter or thicker legs, I think. Or just go with knee length or OTK boots if you want to do bare legs.

  8. Hi Jo-Lynne

    It’s funny you mention the sock shaft on the booties. A girlfriend asked me this weekend about transitioning cropped flares into fall (read: colder weather) and I told her that booties like these with a tighter shaft were definitely a good way to go.

    Great outfit and I love the way the leopard clutch pops against the black.

    Cheers,
    Deborah

  9. So cute on you. You did great in both ways you styled everything. :). It’s alittle too short for me at my age but great on you. But I’m short so maybe not? I had to laugh at you saying Yikes you needed sunless tanner. I had same thought for myself Saturday when I put a dress on and realized how white I had become. :). 

  10. I Love this!! So many things you could do with it. Pop a color…wear black tights… the options are limitless. I will be checking this out for sure. I need a new LBD

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