I love a good LBD—who doesn’t?
But what I love more is an LBWD, a little black wrap dress. I already have several and know just how versatile (and forgiving) they can be. When Karina Dresses contacted me about giving one of their microfiber, machine-washable jersey dresses a test-run, I was a little reluctant because the dresses, while attractive, aren’t particularly my style.
But when I saw Rita, a LBWD, I couldn’t resist. The slightly plunging (read: sexy) neckline, hint of knee, and puffed shoulders got me—I knew this dress would serve me well in the office. And then I put her on, literally straight from the mailing envelope, and she looked just like this:
Dress: Rita, courtesy of Karina Dresses • Bag: Gifted Rebecca Minkoff Linen Spark Satchel • Heels: Elie Tahari
Rings: YSL • Leather Bracelets: Tory Burch
After wearing this dress to the office, and sitting in it virtually all day, I can attest to this: the dress is extremely comfortable, very flattering, and totally, 100% wrinkle-proof. A highly packable dress for ladies who travel. And since the company’s tag line is “dresses for ‘every-body,’” that means several dress styles fit up to a size 20. That’s good. Most of us are not a size zero.
I chose this dress in black knowing it would allow me to totally change the look of it with accessories. Since it’s summer now, I paired it with platform sandals to play into the ’70s feel, but added leather bracelets and gold to keep it fresh. I’m looking forward to wearing it with my wooly vests and OTK boots in fall. I think this dress needs a little naughty to balance out all that nice.
And thanks to Rebecca Minkoff!
Can I just say how much I’m loving the Rebecca Minkoff Spark Satchel I won, courtesy of Rebecca Minkoff’s Tumblr contest? I’ve been swapping it with other bags weekly this summer, and I cannot tell you how many people have complimented me on it. In fact, a girl yesterday asked me the exact brand name and style so she could track it down. It has turned out to be such a fantastic accent to my black-based wardrobe—plus, it’s well-made and roomy, without being huge. Total win, all the way around.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
@shoesaremymuse
July 25, 2011
Wrap dresses are always a great go to, you look exceptional in this one, and love the heels!
@fashionsmaven
July 25, 2011
I have plenty of LBD’s, but why have I never thought to buy a LBWD? So versatile! Can’t wait to see more ways you’ll style this!
@stilettostetico
July 25, 2011
I truly understand your Trendy crush for this black dress Dear V, it looks like there is a lot of “Corporate compatiblity” in this wrap shape, its faultless structuring virtues indeed . . .
ps: AND I widely agree about this necessary “naughty alchemy”, as a far to be accessory (and certainly electrifying) twist of Glam !!!
à Bientôt, Antoine
That dress is sophistocated & feminine, all the little details are nice and anything that is wrinkle-proof is worth it’s weight in gold!!
xo
@styleonthecouch
July 25, 2011
I live my life in monochrome and this would be a perfect addition to my wardrobe. I’m petite so sometimes wrap dresses don’t work around the chest area for me (too low, and I have to wear something underneath, which I’m loathe to do as it makes me look about fifteen again), but I can already tell with this one, because of where the waist wraps, that this really will work as one size fits all. Love the platforms you’ve paired it with here, too.
http://www.styleonthecouch.com
@kirstinfoley
July 25, 2011
This dress looks great on you! I’m not particularly a fan of wrap dresses, but I really like this one. Congrats on winning the contest!! That is super exciting, and that satchel is awesome!!
@alexdrakevintge
July 25, 2011
Love the whole outfit, head to toe. Had been looking for new dresses lately and this one looks spot on!
You always look fab
Joy x
@citizenrosebudz
July 25, 2011
Classic, edgy and beautiful- both the outfit and you.
@noguiltfashion
July 25, 2011
Love, love, love this wrap dress on you V! It is perfect for work.
@oh_ashe
July 25, 2011
I have a long sleeved LBWD (from http://www.choosespun.com) and I love it! It’s such a great investment… and I love seeing you in a short sleeved version. I feel like it’s almost a bit softer in style than normal, but I think it’s nice to see– but it’s summer and that’s just lovely!
What a lovely outfit (the fact it’s wrinkle proof doesn’t hurt) it looks very laid back and relaxed yet glamourous at the same time
@msfemminista
July 25, 2011
Ah! What girl could resist a wrinkle proof wrap LBD?
Not I!
You look great!
@TheStyleFile
July 25, 2011
I’m no wrap dress girl (i’ve just never worn them) but this look absolutely stunning on you, V! actually, I should saw you look stunning in this. It fits impeccably.
xx Marissa
@sheblog
July 25, 2011
You look fantastic in your new dress, V! I love that it’s wrinkle-proof. Sometimes I stand there ironing a top to perfection and then I realize it’s going to get wrinkled anyways. It would be so nice to have more clothing that doesn’t wrinkle so much. It’s especially annoying in the Summer from the sweat of the heat we have to endure. Ugh!
Anyways, you look gorgeous!
@any2ndnow
July 25, 2011
You look fantastic V! Very classic and cool. That purse is the perfect compliment to your outfit!
xoxo
Cyrillynn
@frankiefashion
July 25, 2011
not only is the LBWD stunning on you but the bag is the icing on the cake!! Love it. xoxo
@ladyofashion
July 25, 2011
I don’t wear them alot, but I do love a good surplice wrap. I think you pull it off quite well. OMG, & wrinkle free? sign me up.
@modanistajunkie
July 25, 2011
Agreed!! I don’t know any girl who doesn’t love LBDs. Your dress is amazing. Very simple, chic yet classy. Great for any given day.
xoxo,
Mel
I like your little black dress. Sometimes you just need that one piece to carry off many combos of accessories!
I like the platforms with them.
@styleactivist
July 25, 2011
I’ve always been afraid of wrap-dresses. But I can’t say a bad thing about the one you have on here. You always look fab though, so I am not a hint surprised I like it
And that baaaaag! Gahhhhh. So perfect for summer.
Gorgeous, V.
XO,
Erika
A wrap dress is a great piece to have. I find they travel well too, since they’re often made of a crease-resistant fabric. You look fantastic in those heels.
@www.twitter.com/livelifeinstyle
July 25, 2011
This is an amazing dress on you! I love it!
Shasie of Live Life in Style
Please Facebook like my Blogger Contest List on Fashiolista
Does this dress come in a charcoal grey? I like the rounded corners on the hem. And it looks fantastic on you.
@gritandglamour
July 27, 2011
Not sure, Terri. You’ll have to check the Web site to see. I was rather attracted to the rounded hemline as well.
Thank you!
@tanvii
July 25, 2011
Simple and Chic!
♡ from © tanvii.com
@caseemarie
July 25, 2011
Rocking the LBWD! I love this. I honestly don’t have a wrap dress, but I think I should – it seems like it would be a good match for my figure. Looking at their site I’m loving the Marisa dress too, especially in that charming blue. So cute.
And your Minkoff satchel is divine! I can definitely see it turning some heads, it’s such a wonderful statement piece.
@enchantedelle
July 25, 2011
this is such a classic but kind of bad ass look. Love it. I think wrap dresses are just genius- they look so great on every figure, and I also love wrap skirts.
@onewomansstylee
July 26, 2011
Where is the like button? I’ll be traveling in the next few weeks and this dress looks perfect. I love all of the accessories also. I hope that you will post your work out routine on here someday soon. (-:
Another great look. Wrap dresses don’t look so good on me so I gave up on them a long time ago but it certainly works on you. Yowza! I’m deeply dying over the bag, perfect for summer (or any time, really), and I love the shoes and your nails!
@IamKatyK
July 26, 2011
I have a paisley pink wrap dress I’ve had for years. It saw me through a pregnancy and I LOVE it. Seeing this I am convinced I should invest in some other colors. You rock this black dress.
@beautifullyinv
July 26, 2011
This LBWD looks amazing on your figure. I’ve yet to find one that is actually flattering on me. Either its too plunging of a neckline (and wearing something underneath would ruin it), or the waist/warp part sits at too high a point. This actually looks like its cut perfectly, and , as always, love how you styled it.
You look very sexy!!!!!!
Always a sucker for a wrap dress. Super professional. And loving even more those leather bracelets. Have been considering nabbing some for myself, and you might have me convinced.
@taxnomywardrobe
July 27, 2011
Does it stay together at the bust line though? It’s always a problem I find with wrap dresses, lovely and flattering as they are. I have a gorgeous DVF one which I almost never wear because it always opens there and I either have to pin it together or wear a camisole underneath – two reasons I end up choosing something else to wear for work.
@gritandglamour
July 27, 2011
It actually does stay together at the neckline. I wore it to work and there was a hint of cleavage, but nothing inappropriate.
@madelinequaint
July 27, 2011
Gosh, I love this dress! Want one!
Unfortunately my breasts never really fill out wrap dresses – but I’ve been known to stich the overlap together to make them wearable. It’s a trick that works and nobody notices.
@gritandglamour
July 27, 2011
Good trick, indeed. Thanks, love!
@gritandglamour
July 29, 2011
Thank you, everyone, for ringing in on this version of Worker V. You’re all so patient with me and my black. Thank you!
@rippednylon
August 7, 2011
OMG. I want one, I need more professional clothing… since I got a NEW JOB! I still haven’t written up a formal post dedicated to the great path my life’s taken, but I did want to let you know that the Worker V series is a huge inspiration for my new grown-up life
@gritandglamour
August 8, 2011
Yay! Congratulations!
@AnikaByAnika
August 10, 2011
That is a lot of nice to balance out, and I love the way you brought it from timid to subtly sexy. You have amazing style, Vahni. Love it doll!
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