Winter is currently in full force on this side of the globe and the holiday festivities have come to an end. If you’re like me, then this 1st week back to work has felt weird. It was so slow and yet has also flown by so quickly at the same time (because it was a shorter work week).
I’m still getting through my leftover birthday cake and chocolates while easing back into my workouts and regular routine.
I hope you all had a great holiday season and were able to spend time with people you love the most. The winter months can be long and weary but the good news is, it only gets better from here – in terms of hours of sunlight/day. One clothing item we seem to gravitate towards more, especially during the colder months, are black dresses.
The perfect little black dress is an international wardrobe staple everyone reading this probably already owns. It flatters any body shape if it’s the right style and cut and the color black is naturally slimming. This makes it a wardrobe favourite among women everywhere and when it’s really cold outside, we tend to wear darker colors naturally. It was made famous by Coco Chanel and continues to be popular thanks to how easy it is to create a great outfit with one.
In today’s blog post, I would be sharing different ways you can style your little black dress during the winter to create chic yet warm looks. Whether you’re headed for formal occasions, date night or a night out with friends, this post should serve as a style guide you can refer to.
Just because it’s cold outside does not mean you have to sacrifice your sense of style. Oftentimes, it’s just a matter of adding layers on top and/or underneath your LBD.
Image source here
Before we dive into the various little black dress outfit ideas, we need to be sure you are properly equipped with a solid foundation. I would be sharing some of the best little black dresses currently for sale in case you are looking for the perfect one to add to your collection.
You could also be looking to purchase your first classic little black dress, in which case, I would be sharing some classic options as well. The LBD has certainly come a long way since Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s iconic scene.
*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that I get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, at no cost to you.
Where to find the perfect Little Black Dress
i) Revolve
Revolve brings us little black dresses for the grown and sexy. Their dresses are at a higher price point than the other LBDs on this list, however they do boast great quality. Revolve also carries designer labels on their website and so if that is your thing, this is definitely the place to shop for you.
THIS halter neck midi LBD screams sophistication yet subtle sexiness thanks to the exposed back. Pair it with strappy heels to make your date’s jaw drop.
ii) Shein
If you are looking to hide your belly yet accentuate your waist in an LBD, then THIS ruched side wrap dress should be at the top of your list. The stretchy fabric would ensure a slight form-hugging fit while the ruch detail would help hide any belly fat you may be trying not put on display. The low cut would also bring more attention to your cleavage and take the attention away from any body parts you may be insecure about.
iii) Amazon
Sometimes you want to feel sexy in a little black dress but are worried about both arm fat as well as belly fat. I have just the dress for you if those are your problem areas. THIS long-sleeved Deep V ruched dress would work great on women with curves. The ruch detailing once again masks belly fat while the long sleeves would mask arm fat. You can still create a chic look with your long-sleeved LBD.
v) Dynamite
Create a different look with your LBDs by opting for a black blazer dress instead of your typical black dress. Black blazer dresses are great to wear for birthday dinners or nights out with friends. This short black dress is typically paired with heels and makes your legs look super long.
Dynamite clothing has THIS black blazer dress which could easily be paired with boots during the colder months.
If it is the perfect clubbing dress you seek, check out THIS mini dress with mesh detailing.
Now that you have a good idea of where to shop for trendy LBDs, we can talk about styling them during the winter. I am going to be sharing the best ways to create chic black dress outfits when the weather outside is frightful. These same tips could be applied to other dresses in your closet you wish to wear.
How to style your LBD to wear in winter
1) Add a leather jacket
I have mentioned several times on this blog how much of a wardrobe staple a leather jacket is. With this choice of outfit, you get to combine two wardrobe staples to create a chic and fashion-forward look. I recommend adding a leather jacket to your LBD if you’re going for a more casual outfit.
Get the look HERE
Pair your black leather jacket with your mini or midi LBD for a modern monochrome look. Complete your look with a pair of black ankle boots and you’re ready to hit the town during the inter. You could also add a pair of tights for an extra layer of warmth. Read up more on styling a dress with a leather jacket via my post: 8 ways to wear a leather jacket with a dress.
2) Choose a sweater dress
If you’re not a fan of layering, make your work easy by choosing a little black sweater dress. You can easily pair a long-sleeved midi sweater dress with a pair of mid calf boots and a jacket for a chic look during the fall or winter. Throw on a leather jacket to make your outfit more streetwear. You could also add a pair of black leggings underneath for some warmth if it’s particularly cold outside.
Get the look HERE
If sold out, check out THIS OPTION HERE
If you’re dressing for a fancy occasion, swap the leather jacket for a long line coat or a trench coat. You could also accessorize with classic pieces such as simple gold earrings.
3) Add a pair of boots
The boots you decide to pair your favorite LBD with would depend on the dress code of your event. A pair of combat boots should be reserved for more casual events. A pair of sleek ankle boots work for business casual and more formal events. A pair of knee-high boots should be paired with a knee-high or midi dress for a chic look. Thigh-high boots tend to be reserved for less formal occasions.
Get the look HERE
You could create a sexy winter look by pairing your sleeveless dress with a pair of sheer tights and a cropped leather jacket. This is a cute look you could wear to a concert during the winter weather. Feel free to add a fur scarf to elevate your overall look.
4) Add a sweater
I have spoken multiple times on this blog about the power of layering a sweater with a dress. It’s an easy way to take your outfits from summer to winter. Add a chunky sweater on top of a simple black dress during the cooler months for a semi-casual look. You could wear this outfit for a trip to the mall on a casual day or for dinner with friends.
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For a more formal look, try wearing a thin sweater underneath your LBD. Sweaters in neutral colours work better here to create a more sophisticated outfit. Add a pair of black tights underneath your dress and choose a pair of sleek boots to complete your look. A long coat works best as outerwear and don’t forget the clutch purse.
5) Add a shawl or bolero
Create a look worthy of the red carpet by pairing your new little black dress with a (faux) fur shawl. This is a great way to style your LBD for a winter party as the shawl would add elegance to your outfit while keeping you nice and warm. This is a classic style you can even pull off as a wedding guest to a winter wedding.
Get the look HERE
A long black dress works as well for this look but if your dress is shorter, you may want to throw on a pair of black tights if it’s too cold to show your bare legs. Black dresses with high slits are great candidates for this classic style. Think Marilyn Monroe on the red carpet. Opt for bold accessories such as chandelier earrings for an old Hollywood glam look.
6) Add a cardigan
Adding a cardigan is the probably the easiest way to style your LBD for the cold weather. A long cardigan is typically considered more casual while a shorter one can be worn for more formal events. You could wear a cropped cardigan on top of a black midi dress for a professional function at work or after hours. A pair of ankle boots and tights could complete your warmer outfit.
Image source here
Feel free to add a skinny belt on top of your cardigan to cinch in your waist as well as add some depth to your LBD outfit. Play around with prints such as leopard print to make your outfit more fun. A belt in a solid color works best for formal functions.
I hope that you’ve come to see unique ways you can style your LBD during the cold months to create both casual and more formal looks. It’s really more so a matter of layering with the right pieces both underneath and on top of your little black dress. Feel free to tweak any of these looks to fit more of your personal style.
You should check out my post: 6 ways you can wear a little black dress to a wedding if you’re looking for ways to style an LBD as a wedding guest.
I also have a post: 10 shoes to wear with a black cocktail dress if you need some more guidance choosing the right footwear to go with your LBD.
For some ideas of stylish outerwear to pair with your cocktail dress, check out my post: 8 items you can wear over your cocktail dress to stay warm.
Until the next post,
XOXO
Theankaraqueen