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Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

3 Ways to Accessorize a Simple Little Black Dress

October 19, 2017 by Katie Haller

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | Making the Most of your Wardrobe | 3 ways to accessorize a simple black dress for a special occasion

October seems to be flying by.  I can’t believe that it’s already time for another Year of Color linkup post.  In case you just started following along, every 3rd Friday of the month I team up with some of my fellow blogger friends to host a link party called A Year of Color.  Each month there is a color theme and you can share ANYTHING you like on that color.  I always like to share an outfit post, because that’s what I feel I do best.  This month’s color is black!

*This post contains affiliate links, which means by clicking on and/or making a purchase through a link, I will receive a small commission with no extra cost to you.  Thank you for your support!

I can’t lie, I was so excited about this color.  Black is always my favorite color to wear.  It’s easy to accessorize, you can wear it with anything, plus everyone looks good in black.  With that said, I had a difficult time narrowing in on what kind of outfit posts I would do for today.  I ended up deciding on one of my favorite wardrobe pieces in my closet…..a Little Black Dress a.k.a. LBD.

  In my mid to late ’20s my weekends were filled with going to weddings.  All my friends were getting married, and to be honest I couldn’t afford to go buy a new dress for every wedding I attended.  I bought this simple empire waist black dress for my rehearsal dinner (similar).  Instead of going with a traditional bride rehearsal dinner dress, I played it safe and went with a black dress.  I’m so happy I did because I’ve worn this dress on a number of other occasions since then.

Today I am going to show you how easy it is to accessorize an LBD like this.

The first way is a very classic traditional look.  I wore black patent leather pumps, rhinestone jewelry and a satin clutch with rhinestones.  This is perfect for a more formal wedding.  I wore this exact look at my husband’s cousin’s wedding in Chicago a few years ago.

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life- Accessories for a formal occassion

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | Simple black dress accessorized with rhinstones

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | Simple black dress accessorized with rhinstones

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | Simple black dress accessorized with rhinstones

Shoes- Ivanka Trump- Von Maur (similar) || Necklace- Target (similar) || Clutch- Jessica McClintock (similar)

For my second look, I chose leopard accessories.  I wore my gold sandals, with my leopard clutch and gold jewelry.

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | Gold and Leopard accessories

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | LBD accessorized with gold and leopard

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | LBD accessorized with gold and leopard

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | LBD accessorized with gold and leopard

Shoes- DSW (similar) || Necklace- LC Lauren Conrad- Kohl’s (similar) || Clutch- H&M- ThredUp (similar)


For my final look, I accessorized with some color.  I always love how turquoise looks with black, so I wore turquoise jewelry with my turquoise clutch.  For shoes I went with my nude pumps.  I think that this look would be great for a destination wedding.

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | Turquoise accessories
Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | LBD accessorized with turquoise

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | LBD accessorized with turquoise

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | LBD accessorized with turquoise

Shoes- Target (similar) || Necklace- Kohl’s (similar) || Clutch- Hand-me-down (similar)

Hopefully this will give you some ideas on how to accessorize your black dresses and maybe help you out next time your stumped on what to wear to a wedding or special occasion.

I hope to see everyone back here next month for the color Orange. Don’t forget to leave your link below!

An InLinkz Link-up

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Filed in: Affordable Fashion, Making the Most of your Wardrobe, outfits, Year of Color • by Katie Haller • 19 Comments

Comments

  1. Justine Y @ Little Dove

    October 20, 2017 at 4:27 pm

    I love how you can do so many things and have so many looks with a single, simple black dress! You look great!

    Reply
  2. Tiffany

    October 20, 2017 at 9:38 pm

    Love the first look! Those black pumps are a staple we should all have in our closet!

    Reply
  3. Mary Leigh

    October 21, 2017 at 2:42 am

    A great black dress is so versatile! I love the cheetah clutch you used in the second outfit!

    Reply
  4. Unknown

    October 21, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    I especially love the leopard clutch!

    Reply
  5. Shani Ogden

    October 22, 2017 at 3:33 am

    All of these looks are spot on! I love having pieces that I can mix and match.

    Reply
  6. Allyn Lewis

    October 22, 2017 at 11:41 pm

    Such fun accessories! I love that a little black dress can be styled with so many things. You look amazingggg!

    Reply
  7. Christine

    October 23, 2017 at 3:31 pm

    I love your black dress! I love how versatile it is too. What awesome accessories! They give this dress so many different looks!

    Reply
  8. Ashley Newell

    October 23, 2017 at 4:30 pm

    I love ALL of these! I'm doing a Little Black Dress shoot in a couple weeks and I think I need to do the leopard!

    Reply
  9. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 3:19 am

    Thank you! Black dresses are the best!

    Reply
  10. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 3:20 am

    Thank you! Those are my favorite pair of pumps in my closet. They are very classic and look good with anything!

    Reply
  11. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 3:21 am

    Thank you! I just found that clutch at ThredUp. I had been on the hunt for a cute leopard clutch for a while. I love it!

    Reply
  12. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 3:22 am

    Thank you! It's my favorite right now!

    Reply
  13. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 3:24 am

    Thank you! I'm all about mixing and matching with your wardrobe.

    Reply
  14. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 4:05 am

    Thanks so much! Accessories are always my favorites!

    Reply
  15. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 4:06 am

    Thank you so much!

    Reply
  16. Katie Margaret

    October 24, 2017 at 4:07 am

    Thank you! Leopard is a must with black. I'm kind of obsessed with it right now!

    Reply
  17. Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam & Dylan Too

    October 24, 2017 at 3:08 pm

    That is such a cute black dress!

    Reply
  18. Unknown

    October 25, 2017 at 7:19 pm

    Black is such a chic and versatile color for any wardrobe! It's so easy to accessorize, and you did a nice job with that!

    Reply
  19. Rajput PC

    September 14, 2020 at 7:55 pm

    Wow nice article & Helpful information

    Reply

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Hi I'm Katie! Welcome to my blog! I am on a mission to help women build a wardrobe that they love without spending a lot of money doing it. I believe that everyone has the right to feel good in their outfit, no matter what your budget is! I am excited to have you here!
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Katie || Affordable Fashion
🖤 What I wore as a SAHM this week 🖤 I just 🖤 What I wore as a SAHM this week 🖤

I just realized that I don't think that I have missed a daily outfit post in 2023 yet. That means that I have shared every outfit that I have worn so far this year, which is pretty good! 

I have always loved sharing my real life daily outfits. I always shared my work outfits when I was teaching preschool, but after I stopped working it was harder for me to stay consistent on sharing my daily outfits because I didn't think my SAHM outfits were "instagram worthy". Last year I decided that I should try sharing a round up in a reel to show what I actually wore on a daily basis and it's been so fun ever since! 

So many of you told me that you found me through these reels and that makes me so happy! I hope these outfits help you step up your daily style even if you are only potty training a toddler that day. (Like I am at the moment 🤣) 

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
✨ Click on the link in my bio for my shopping page on my blog!
✨ Message me if you have any questions or need any help finding a link! 😊
✨ Go to my SAHM Outfit highlight for all the links to my everyday outfits!

#wiw #sahmstyle #momoutfit #momstyle #momfashion #momiform #momootd #momiform #themominfluencers #momstyleblogger #sahmlife #casualstyle #michiganblogger #midweststyle #winteroutfits #everydayoutfits
Last weekend I was stumped on what to wear on an o Last weekend I was stumped on what to wear on an overnight staycation without the kids. I wanted an outfit that was practical for the cold weather and the afternoon, but also something I could wear out for a nice dinner later on in the evening. This is what I decided on...

✨ I like wearing bodysuits under my clothes in the winter. They help keep me warm and also cover up any skin that might show through when you sit. 

✨ My plum sweater from @gibsonlook transitioned perfectly from day to night. (Use code: THRIFTYWIFE10 for 10% off!)

✨ For pants and shoes I wore @express skinny jeans for day time. They work best with my Chelsea boots. Then for night I wanted to wear my favorite lightwash straight leg jeans (old) with heels. 

✨ Cute outerwear is so important in the winter. You have to layer up when it's cold and you plan on walking around outside. I found my camel wool coat to be warm, especially with my hat and scarf. I also wore thick boot socks to keep my feet and ankles warm! 

Head over to the @shop.ltk app to shop this look! You can either download the free shopping app and follow @thriftywifehappylife or go to the link in my bio! 

#ltkstyletip #datenightoutfit #dateday #valentinesdayoutfit #winterdateoutfit #winteroutfits #winterstyle #michiganblogger #momstyle #momoutfits #momoutfitinspo #outfitideasforyou
Today #ontheblog I am talking about my recent clos Today #ontheblog I am talking about my recent closing clean out. I go through my closet seasonally to get rid of the clothes that aren't getting worn, but at the end of last year I felt like my closet had an overload of clothes and I needed to do a major refresh! 

I ended up parting ways with a lot of clothes, but there were some that I keep every time I do a clean out because they are my favorites and still hold their value in my wardrobe. 

✨Little black dress- I bought in 2011 for my rehearsal dinner. 
✨ Polka- dot blouse from @lclaurenconrad I bought in 2014. 
✨Metallic skirt- I bought this in 2011 to wear for Christmas Eve. 
✨ Chambray button down shirt. I bought it in 2014 at Target and I haven't found a better one to replace it with. 
✨ Thrifted @oldnavy denim jacket. These just get better with wear! 
✨ Gold strappy sandals I bought in 2007 to wear to a fraternity formal in college. They still get worn when I need a fun shoe! 

What is the oldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe? 

#cleaningoutmycloset #closetcleanout #shoppingyourwardrobe #shopyourcloset #wearitloveit #thriftythursday #weartheclothes #styleinspo
As you can see, shopping is challenging with a tod As you can see, shopping is challenging with a toddler, so let me help you shop! I'll take one for the team and bring my 2-year-old in the fitting rooms with me so you don't have to! 😉

Here's what I found at @target this week 👇🏻

✨A New Day High-Rise Slim Straight Leg Ankle Pants- Brown- 2- This is a great dress pant option.  They have elastic in the back so the stretch. They fit TTS.  No petite length available. 
✨Universal Thread Realax fit button-down-shirt- White and Navy striped- Small- Both these color tops are going on my spring wish list! I love the relax fit and the material! They fit TTS! $25
✨Universal Thread High-Rise Slim Straight Fit Jeans- 2/regular- I am loving the fit and style of these jeans! So cute for spring! They fit TTS! $28
✨A New Day Striped Long sleeve T-shirt- Small- This is a great t-shirt.  I love the boxy fit. It comes in other colors. Fits TTS! $12
✨A New Day Blazer- xsmall- This blazer caught my eye. The material is great for spring. It fits TTS. It is currently not available on the website, but I will link it when it becomes available. 
✨A New Day Cami- small- I actually already own this cami! It’s one of my favorite spring tops! Perfect to layer a blazer or cardigan over. 
✨A New Day Slide Sandals- 7 ½- Cute slide sandals for spring! I love the little heel! They fit TTS!
✨A New Day Mule Heels- 7 ½- I love the straps on these heels.  They are very comfortable! Available in multiple colors. 
✨Universal Thread Triple Compartment crossbody purse- Love this crossbody bag! If you are looking to downsize your mom purse this is it! It has 3 compartments and the strap makes it easy to wear. 

Details are linked on the @shop.ltk app! Find the link to it in my bio! 

#targettryon #targetfinds #targetstyle #targetdoesitagain #springstyle #affordablefashion #shoppingideas #wearitloveit #momstyle #michiganblogger #shoppingonabudget
This week I am teaming up with some of my Instagra This week I am teaming up with some of my Instagram friends to bring you some Valentine’s Day outfit ideas! ❤️ We will be sharing outfits all week long so make sure you are following along! I know you will find some great ideas! 👇🏻

Monday- @thriftywifehappylife and @asimplelifeblog 
Tuesday- @getschooledinfashion 
Wednesday- @mrssarahgoodman 
Thursday- @momthechaoscoordinator 
Friday- @corriellington 

Today is my day! I'm sharing 3 Valentine’s Day looks for different occasions! 
Look 1- Wear to volunteer in the classroom party
Look 2- Wear on a date night or girls night out. 
Look 3- Wear to work!

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
✨ Click on the link in my bio to find links to both my LTK shopping page and my blog! 
✨ DM me if you have any questions or need any help finding a link! 😊

#valentinesdayoutfit #vdayoutfit #outfitideas #outfitinspiration #outfitideas4you #easyoutfit #affordablefashion #styleonabudget #styleover35 #momstyle #simpleoutfits #michiganblogger
What I wore as a SAHM this week! This week my out What I wore as a SAHM this week!

This week my outfits are all over the place because that's how our week was. Plus I have a bonus outfit so I thought I would share where I wore these outfits! 

Monday- Home with a sick kid
Tuesday- Home and school pick up
Wednesday- Home for a snow day
Thursday- Home for snow day number 2
Friday- Ran errands aka went to Target 🎯
Saturday afternoon- Dropped off kids with my in-laws and went to Canada 🇨🇦 for a little staycation/date night at @caesarswindsor with my husband. 
Saturday night- Dinner and drinks
Sunday- Picked up kids and preparing for the week ahead. 

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
✨ Click on the link in my bio for my shopping page on my blog!
✨ Message me if you have any questions or need any help finding a link! 😊
✨ Go to my SAHM Outfit highlight for all the links to my everyday outfits! 

#sahmstyle #sahmoutfit #momoutfits #momootd #wiw #realoutfitgram #whatiwore #momstyle #outfitinspiration #outfitinspo #outfitideas4you #easyoutfit #michiganblogger #michiganmoms
I wore this heart sweatshirt the other day in my s I wore this heart sweatshirt the other day in my stories and you guys loved it! It's my favorite heart sweatshirt because it's neutral colors so I get to wear it year round, but I especially love wear it around Valentine's Day! 

Here are some ways I've worn it! 

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
✨ Click on the link in my bio to find links to both my LTK shopping page and my blog! 
✨Find it on my Amazon storefront! The link is in my bio! 
✨ DM me if you have any questions or need any help finding a link! 😊

#amazonfinds #heartsweater #valentinesoutfit #valentinesdayoutfit #outfitideas #affordablefashion #styleonabudget #michiganblogger #momstyle #momoutfits
I found some fun pieces on my latest @amazon order I found some fun pieces on my latest @amazon order! Here's how they look! 

T-shirt hoodie- $21.50- I love this top! It feels like a t-shirt so it's perfect for layering under jackets! 

Flare leggings $24.99- aka yoga pants. These pants take me back to the early 2000's. I am loving them! 

Tunic $24.98- Love this tunic! It's a great length. Perfect for layering under sweaters! 

Matte faux leather leggings- These are the best faux leather legging dupe for the Spanx I have found so far! 

Wide leg trousers- I have loved these pants on everyone else, but they weren't my favorites. I still felt that they are a great pair of trousers! 

Check out my stories for more details! Everything is linked on the @shop.ltk app and also in my Amazon Storefront. You can find both in the link in my bio!! 

#amazonhaul #amazoninfluencer #amazontryon #amazonfashion #amazonfinds #affordablefashion #amazonblogger #momstyle #everydaystyle #momootd #casualstyle #winterstyle #leggings #flareleggings #fauxleatherleggings
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