Little White Dress
The little black dress (LBD) has been a closet necessity for most women over the past century since Coco Chanel introduced a photograph of a simple short black elegant dress in Vogue in 1926. Vogue called the dress “Chanel’s Ford” drawing a comparison to Ford’s Model T, in that a little black dress provided a simple, accessible, and affordable option for women of all social classes. The LBD has become an iconic representation of a classic, long lasting, and versatile wardrobe essential for women worldwide.
But what about the little white dress? Once reserved for brides (or young girls receiving first communion), the little white dress (LWD) has taken on a life of its own as another closet essential to rival the little black dress.
As much as I love an LBD, white is so much better suited for the warm months of spring and summer. I do also love a vibrant white dress in the winter, too. Basically, you can never go wrong with either an LBD or an LWD. They both provide the perfect baseline to create an endless number of styles and looks for most any occasion.
At the end of last summer, I picked up a few new LWDs on clearance to add some more versatility to my little white dress game. I have a plethora of little black dresses and frankly, I was getting a bit bored with all that, so it made sense to add a few more neutral colored dresses on the opposite side of the color spectrum. The fun thing about the LWD is that you really can style it exactly the same way as you would an LBD but you will end up with a drastically different look.
This particular dress I found in Burlington Coat Factory for under $20. I love the style of a flowing bohemian lightweight dress in a gauzy fabric to beat the summer heat and humidity. I also love the shirt dress style with buttons down the front because it adds another level of styling options. You can wear a dress like this as a vest/jacket layered over another dress or even over pants or a skirt.
I went for a more classic styling and one of my favorite ways to wear dresses this summer by layering a kimono on top and a pair of comfortable and practical booties on my feet. You know, festival style. That’s my summer jam this year even though I am merely sitting at home (or climbing rocks in a dress at a very nearby location). Lightweight kimonos add the perfect sun protection as well as a little bit of dramatic flair to a basic dress.
Sticking with my boho, festival style, I opted for braids and one of my favorite summertime crocheted slouchy hats by Linda Gibbs Handmade. These are my favorite hats ever for summertime hair. They are lightweight and cool, have a really fun design, and are perfect for covering gray roots and greasy hair! Plus Linda’s products are quality, hand crocheted apparel and accessories made with eco-friendly fibers and materials. And her slouchy hats come in a multitude of colors. I have 7 different colors (white, ivory, black, gray, teal, denim, and pink) and really kind of want more because they are my favorite head wear for summer.
If you are interested in Linda’s gorgeous hand made crocheted items, visit her on Facebook to see what she has in store now. Give her a page a follow as well because it is so important to support each other in our small business endeavors. That little bit of kindness really goes a long way.
Tomorrow, I am sharing the same dress from the same photo shoot and location but I changed out my kimono and added an obi belt. I would love for you to stop by then and let me know which way you like this LWD styled.
In the meantime, be sure to enter my Organic Aromas Giveaway. Just click here to get to the Rafflecopter entry form. The giveaway will remain open for entries until midnight on July 21, 2020. The winner will be announced and notified that day.
Also, do you prefer a LBD or a LWD? Or perhaps you are like me and need the options of both?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Shop my look…
Outfit Details: Dress-Burlington Coat Factory / Kimono and Earrings-Shelbee’s Shoppe / Boots-Matt Bernson (Poshmark) / Hat-Linda Gibbs Handmade / Necklace-c/o Zaful
27 Comments
eva @ StyleMyThrift.com
love the LWD! i am thinking of taking LWD into the Fall & Winter this year with black tights! i’ve always wanted to do this…maybe this is the year!
xo Eva
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Eva! I love the LWD in winter with dark tights! I wore one this past winter with red tights and a winter white coat. It was one of my favorite outfits ever! I look forward to seeing how you style your LWD for fall.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lizzie
Ahhh! You look so adorable!!! I love the white dress!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lizzie! I think I probably have enough white dresses now that I could do a week long series of different LWDs!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
I love how you styled it! Boho! Festival! Tell me about it, we would have had a festival weekend last weekend. Now we have it next year……. Hopefully.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I so need my festival friends! That whole atmosphere heals my soul! Here’s hoping next summer’s festival season will be the best one ever!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tamar A Strauss-Benjamin
What a perfect summer look!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Tamar! I hope your week is off to a great start.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
I love how you added the floral kimono!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jennifer! You know how I love my kimonos! I hope you are having a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I’m all about the white dress Shelbee. In fact, I have more of them than the LBD!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jodie! I don’t know if my white dress count has passed my black dress count yet, but I suspect it is close!
xoxo
Shelbee
Bettye L Rainwater
I love a white dress. I also love a black dress, ha ha…but if I had to choose, I’d go white.
I love how you’ve styled this one a la music festival with the kimono and booties…I think I’m going up to Woodstock in a couple weeks and hadn’t even thought of a “festival-esque” look! Gotta get on that 🙂
Hope you’re staying safe and cool!
Bettye
https://fashionschlub.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Bettye! Okay, now I am a bit envious of a Woodstock trip! I may need to look into going there as well now. I hope your week is off to a great start, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking very sweet in that LWD.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Patrick!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Super cute outfit, Shelbee! The dress looks so airy and comfortable. Perfect for summer!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Michelle! It has been so hot this summer that I need all the airy dresses to survive it!
xoxo
Shelbee
mireille
Wow, same dress, different look and I can’t decide which I like best: they are both winners! I love all your backdrops in nature too! The rock pics are really beautiful.
http://www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Mireille! I need to try this dress as a long vest over something else next! These photos were taken in this little quarry area near my house. I love climbing up on the rocks for pictures although I almost nearly kill myself every time I do it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Ruth-Anne
Shelbee, love the outfit. Such a nice summer dress. Loving the kimono, what a style statement! I have a white peasant style midi I love for summer, thanks for the kimono inspiration!
Hugs,
Ruth-Anne
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Ruth-Anne! I do love all the bohemian vibes for summer…airy dresses and kimonos are my jam!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Can’t go wrong with a little white number! Thanks for sharing, have a super week. Jacqui x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I agree, Jacqui! Thanks for stopping by! I hope your week is going well.
xoxo
Shelbee
Ruth
I think everyone should have an LWD! It’s perfect for spring and summer!
http://ww.ruthyannie.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I agree, Ruth! Except I need more than just one LWD, I need a dozen! Haha. Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo
Shelbee
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