THE CITIZEN INDEX

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

outfit post: Double Pin-Striped & the LBD

"The part of me that never changes bears witness to the parts of me that do. Being true to myself means accepting the rhythm of the novelty + the obsolete,  and trusting that my true self  will bear out in every adventure and glacier of movement."   -Bella Q
The LBD: the basic little black dress in a classic silhouette can be the starting point to express your true individual style.
Classic styling doesn't have to be boring. I find that you can express your truest individual style when you forgo the trends and focus on classic clothing and design. Take the eternally chic LBD, or Little Black Dress. This classic staple is a must-have for any girl worth her fashion salt. In my recent love of pattern mixing, I feel that I've neglected this quiet closet jewel, but I am here to show that a classically cut LBD is guaranteed to make your star shine, day or night. 

In fact, if I were to showcase a look that represented the "real" Bella Q, this little number would top the list. This is something that I could have easily have worn in my early 20's,

my 30's and now I proudly wear in my mid-forties. In fact, I think these photos look almost like they could have been taken from a previous decade, (the 1930's, the 40's or '50's perhaps?) but the look is anything but dated, and I think it comes off as fun, fresh and relevant. The jacket, a well constructed, fully lined vintage pin-striped double breasted blazer in PERFECT condition adds the gravitas to the outfit, while the floral fascinator adds the fun. To keep things interesting, I tied a gold lurex scarf around my waist as a sash, and paired my pin-striped blazer with a pair of pin striped patterned knee highs. My favorite wedges, a sort of modern day gladiator platform echo the vertical stripes of the socks and blazer with their own horizontal lines from the straps. As the weather is now officially chilly, my vintage brown fur scarf was a warming addition for my late afternoon walk. I felt chic and toasty. Most important of all, I felt delightfully and utterly "me."


Now Wearing: 
  • Hand-made Fascinator, exclusively for Citizen Rosebud
  • Vintage fur scarf
  • Vintage Wool Pinstriped Double-Breasted Blazer
  • Cotton Little Black Dress, gifted
  • Vintage lurex and gold scarf (used as belt)
  • Polka Dot Satchel, This N That Thrift
  • Brassy Heart Ring, Pork Chop Rules
  • Pinstriped nylon knee highs, Target
  • My favorite wedges, Heart Boutique

37 comments:

mispapelicos said...

Always gorgeous, Bella!!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Closet Shopper said...

A+++ again Miss Bella. Love it from the plain LBD to all the fixin's.

xoxo,
Tracy

Elliott and Tia Raquel Ita said...

Mi'Ja , you look fantastically , delightfully beautiful ...again !

Fashion Limbo said...

Looking gooooorgeous :) those wedges are to die for and that jacke is right up my street. There's a certain class about wearing timeless pieces, certain garments that never leave our wardrobe and get worn no matter what trends are hot at the moment. Iguess that's when actual style kicks in, and it becomes part of who you are. xxx

Kitty said...

I hereby challenge you to one day wear a big-brimmed hat like mine, I think you'd look fab.xx.

Stacey said...

I love your LBD, and your styling of it. You're right, the "basics" don't ever really need to be boring, it's all about how you work them.

Marie said...

That's a great LBD and even better layered!

Vix said...

You look amazing! the little touches like the laddered sock and the cocktail hat are just genius. You look so beautiful in the 4th picture down you take my breath away! x

Collette Osuna said...

Classic & cute!! This little hat reminds me of a few I saw last night watching the royal wedding...what a fun accessory!

Mwah!

A Funky Little Fashion Blog

Susan B said...

I love this look!!

Elissa said...

Fabulous outfit. I'm crazy about the fascinator. And I love how this outfit references a number of different fashion decades. Bravo, Bella!

Shybiker said...

I love this. It is classic but with a unique Bella twist. You made it yours.

sylvia @ 40PlusStyle said...

How chic! Love the fascinator!

A BRIT GREEK said...

I absolutely freakin' adore this look on you, the dress is amazing and fits you perfectly. Love the rest of the styling too, tres chic Bells!
x.o.x.o

mary van note said...

You look great! I like this post because it reminds me to turn to classic styling every once and awhile. I always pass over the vintage black dresses in shops because they seem too boring to me, but now I'll keep my eye out for the perfect LBD.

doradadama said...

Your so poetica amor.
I love how you dressed up your classic black vestido with furs and all. I am eyeing your hat and lurex belt.
You have a gorgeously evil stare, me loves it. You remind me of chick Mila Kunis
Besotes

Anupriya DG said...

Pretty pretty fascinator! And of course, I couldn't miss that polka dot bag! <3

Bonnie said...

I love this dress, but the socks make it even cooler. I love getting my freak on with an awesome pair of socks!

http://www.glamkittenslitterbox.com/
Twitter: @GlamKitten88

Sasha Maria said...

The LBD's silhouette is amazing! I love how you've belted the blazer too.

FASHION TALES said...

I love your touch of classic styling here, + the fascinator! And great words about your individual style. :)

lasophia said...

I DIG your floral fascinator HARD! Great to wear with an LBD.

Tanvi said...

My Fair Lady! :)

♡ from © tanvii.com

Please may I? said...

Adorable dress hun.

X x

Helga said...

You couldn't make anything boring if you tried,darling!!!
I love a good classic twist,and this outfit totally rocks!Most of all,I adore the little hole in your knee highs!!!AND that fabulous headpiece!
Just looking gorgeous and every inch a fabulous laydeeeeeee!!!
XXXXXXX

Jill said...

So. Flippin'. Awesome.

Love everything about this outfit. Also wishing I was brave enough to wear hats, just because.

someday!

Jenmarie said...

"I think these photos look almost like they could have been taken from a previous decade"

- I thought the same thing. In fact, this entire outfit reminds me so much of Mary Poppins. You seriously look darling!

JTWisdom said...

Beautiful, love your LBD and those wedges.

Violet Folklore said...

You're a freakin' dollface Bella. That dress is darling and the hat is the perfect topper. I'm trying to go for more classic looks myself lately, thanks for the inspiration. xoxox

Adrienne said...

You look frickin's amazing! I love the dress, and agree that LBDs are everything.

Adrienne
What Lola Wants

Wynne Prasetyo said...

you look super! this all black outfit is gorgeous. all in the details, yes? :)


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Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Oh glory be, unleash the Bella beast for it is good. You are such a glorious beauty my lovely and an absolute genius for making that amazing fascinator! Timeless. I think we should go catch a matinee then go frock shopping before collapsing in the front window of an old cafe with a giant pot of tea ... we can watch and be watched by the passing world. xoxoxo

The Foolish Aesthete said...

Gorgeous look. And I really love the red accent on your hat/fascinator. I was out running errands this afternoon when a hat shop I enjoy was having a 50% off sale. Couldn't resist. I did the bad arithmetic my husband accuses me of and decided to get 2 cloches since they were half off ;-)

theequinebovine said...

great post! you are so beautiful in fur xoxo

Unknown said...

WOW!! That is one amaaaazing l.b.d.! Just so elegant and gorgeous and perfect! The accessories are rad too. I tend to avoid black because I don't know how to wear it in an interesting way, but this is giving me so much inspiration! ^_^

Susan Tiner said...

I love your quote and agree with you about classic styles.

That hat is fabulous. The maxi dress is great on you. I've been thinking of trying one on, just to check it out, but I have a feeling I won't like that style on me.

Anonymous said...

You look fabulous!

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

Heather Fonseca said...

And you look completely and totally fabulous!