Petite Fashion Challenge #7 – The Little Black Dress

April 28, 2011

Blazer – Theory “Vern” in “Bicoastal” (seersucker), size 00

Dress – Henrietta Pertuz “Morning to Moonlight”, size 00P (altered)

Shoes – Jimmy Choo, size 35

Belt – Ann Taylor “Perfect Patent Skinny”, size xs

Jewelry – Honora pearl necklace, jet bead necklace, sterling silver bracelets, Iridesse pearl brooch

This month’s Petite Fashion Challenge is being hosted by The Little Dust Princess. The theme…the little black dress…

A little black dress (LBD) is essential in every woman’s wardrobe. It’s always great for back-up if you run out of outfit ideas for a night out. Adding a pop of colour to your LBD will change up its look and make your dress a little less boring.

For this challenge, add a pop of colour (or two) to your little black dress to change up the look. You could add anything from an accessory to a blazer, or even nail polish!

Originally I thought I would do something a little “Jackie Onasis” with this Petite Fashion Challenge, by adding some pearls, a brooch, and some fun heels. I started with the simple sheath dress, tossed on some pieces of jewelry and the red heels…but something just didn’t feel right. It wasn’t quite…me.

I stared at my closet, and my eyes kept resting back on the seersucker blazer. But seersucker and a LBD? It just didn’t sound right! Out of other ideas, I figured it couldn’t hurt to just give it a try…

Success!

The seersucker gave the LBD some quirk, and the LBD gave the seersucker some class. This unexpected pairing really feels great, and feels like me. I love fun and quirky fabrics like seersucker, so this turned out to be a really great spin on an old classic.

See the rest of the Petite Fashion Challenge entries at The Little Dust Princess:

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Tagged as: Henrietta Pertuz, Petite Dresses, Theory Petite

I am Khatu

it looks good, very versatile. You can take off the blazer and it's party time! lol.

P.S. you should smile with teeth more often, i like it!
Michelle

Aw! I remember that post with your "seersucker"! That is when I learned a new fashion term. I had been calling it "train conductor" pattern for so long…classy! :p

I love how classy your look is! You layer your pearls so well!
PetiteAsianGirl

Tres tres chic, Kelly. The pearl strands and red Jimmy Choos push this dress to a new realm of elegance.

And oh, I was wondering what black dress you'd break out for this challenge. Hope we'll see more of this MtoM dress now that you got alterations!
Erin

Love it – I always forget what Seersucker is called!! I'm with Michelle – "Train conductor!" LOL!

You look great as always Kelly – I need to find myself some of those shoes :)
PetiteLittleGirl

My favorite outfit of the night! :) I love this unexpected pairing. You look very chic. Great job, Kelly!
Ski Petite

You definitely made the LBD looks standout. Good job!
Cee

Perhaps this is Jackie O at the Hamptons? :) I love your seersucker blazer! And am so happy you included it, because it wouldn't have been "you" without it!
aneetac

You look so chic! I absolutely love the outfit, especially the necklace.
Elaine A (TOBeautyReviews)

This is soooo you! LOVE it! And you really need to wear dresses more, you rock them!
Elle

Seersucker goes surprisingly well with the LBD. I am so impressed! Well done Kelly!
SewPetiteGal

I heart your necklace combo – it so screams "Chanel"! I would have never thought to pair seersucker with the LBD but they actually go together very well. Another successful PFC entry!
Recovering Shopaholic

LOVE IT! Very different from the typical LBD pairing and very YOU!
Kiki

I never would have thought seersucker with LBD, but you taught me something new! Well done!
kileen

what a great blazer and i totally love how you added the pin too! seersucker really works with the LBD!

cute & little
jeweliette

Ahhh, I love your red Jimmy Choo peep toes! I love Jimmy Choo! :P
Olyvia

This outfit is totally your style for sure! The seersucker unexpectedly worked well with your LBD, giving it some "spring" flavor. Seersucker is more versatile than I thought :)
CynthiaC

What a great wear-to-work-then-to-dinner/party outfit! :)
gold N turquoise

yes, seersucker! so appropriate for our approach into summer. adorable!

jenny
http://goldnturquoise.blogspot.com/
grammarystyle

Serious shoe envy in this post. Those are so cute! And they look like they might be comfortable, too, though I could be wrong on that. Love the necklaces, too!
shystardreamer

The outfit look great. You should wear dresses/ skirt more often. You look good in them.
Alterations Needed

@I am Khatu – LOL…thanks Khatu! I'm so lame, I would party with the blazer ON! :P

@Michelle & @Erin – LOL…train conductor huh? All I need now is the goofy striped hat and I'm in business!

@PetiteAsianGirl – It's funny, I wasn't thrilled with the dress after alterations, but it's growing on me every time I try it on. You might be seeing more of it. ;)
Alterations Needed

@PetiteLittleGirl – Aww…thank you Sydney! I'm honored. ;)

@Cee – YES!! Jackie O at the Hamptons! Perfect!! LOL.

@Elaine A (TOBeautyReviews) – Thanks Elaine! I don't own too many dresses and skirts, but summer's coming, so who knows what I'll pull out of my closet. My legs prefer being clothed, so it's a struggle sometimes. :P
Alterations Needed

@Elle – Thanks Elle! I was really surprised this worked so well!

@SewPetiteGal – The necklace combo is my "go-to" as far as jewelry goes…I must seriously wear them at least 3-4 times a week.

@Recovering Shopaholic – Thanks! I felt good in it, so it definitely felt like me. ;)
Alterations Needed

@Kiki – It really is a great pair isn't it? Who'd have thunk it?

@jeweliette – Thanks! These shoes are one of my favorites, but take some practice to walk in…I'm not very good at walking in 4 inch heels. :P

@Olyvia – I know! I always thought seersucker was so casual, but it really worked well.
Stylepint

Great entry Kelly! It kind of gives off that country club brunch look…elegant and springlike! =)
Alterations Needed

@gold N turquoise – Ever since spring sprung, I've had a nagging urge to wear this jacket. I guess my internal clock is telling me it's officially spring now. ;)

@grammarystyle – Yes, they are comfortable! I put a ball-of-foot pad in them and it helped immensely. It just take me a little bit of time to get used to the 4 inch heel before I walk in them without stomping. ;)

@shystardreamer – Thank you! Hopefully this summer will be nice so I can practice wearing more dresses and skirts!
Jen HaHA

I like seersucker because it never looks like it needs to be ironed. That's the nature of it. I like how you stated the way they compliment each other! The pearls are lovely!

Jen Hemming and Hawing Again
questforfashionsense

Looking at this post makes me forget the "Week in Review" posts where you wore jeans. ;D You look great in jeans and dresses, and I love your classic styling with a pop of the red Jimmy Choos and the unexpected and springlike seersucker–tres chic.
Petite in the City

I would never expect the seersucker to look so great with the LBD! The pairing of the different necklaces ties it all together! Love the outfit!

-lor
Michelle’s Style File

Great outfit. Your blazer ties it all together perfectly!

x
Michelle
http://www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com
Really Petite

Wow- very well put together!! Love it- possibly my fav out of everyone!! Great job Kelly!
SugarNikita

I LOVE this! I am so jealous of your closet…
AubreyOhDang!

This retirement community has nice settings for pics. =p

if someone has their style defined, it's you.
Slayerbabe

Wow – you definitely have a great sense of style. You should consider becoming a full time stylist :)

Love your ideas and I love how the ensemble works really well with your style and it's just plain pretty!
hurricanekerrie

Love how you stayed true to your style aesthetics and made the LBD really interesting– and even office-appropriate! Love this style! :)
Alterations Needed

@Stylepint – Yes! I love that you just called it "country club brunch"! If my style could be summed up with the terms "country club" and "quirk"…I'd be a happy girl. ;)

@Jen HaHA – Yeah, the crinkly nature of seersucker is wonderful isn't it? Great texture!

@questforfashionsense – LOL…after taking these photos, now I'm editing my "week in photos" post and looking like a schlub in all of them!
Alterations Needed

@Really Petite – That's quite the compliment considering the stylish company we're in when doing the PFC's. Thank you! ;)

@SugarNikita – LOL! Thanks, but it's really not that impressive, I assure you. :P

@AubreyOhDang! – One thing I've learned about wealthy retired people is…they generally have money to spend on landscapers. Winning!

@Slayerbabe – That's probably one of the nicest fashion related things anyone has said to me…don't give me any crazy ideas…LOL.

@hurricanekerrie – Oh, yes…this look is office appropriate isn't it? Score!
Sunshine

i love your jacket too, kelly! i actually saw something very similar to it at h&m today for $34.95, should have taken a picture! size 2 fits well but the arm was a little tight and size 4 was big all around so i passed. i was like…hey, it's kelly's jacket haha…
The Little Dust Princess

Yay for red heels! The blazer is so classic and always spices up any outfit. Great job, Kelly :D

Thank you for participating! : )
MissRockwell

Seersucker is amazing! It goes really well with the dress in fact. And the red heels are definitely a hit. It adds edge to your 'classic' outfit.

http://thriftyandshameless.blogspot.com
Vicky

Nice pairings of the dress and the heels. And so "Kelly" to throw on the seersucker jacket. :) This outfit is totally missing your red Chanel though. :( Where have you been hiding your baby lately?
Alterations Needed

@Sunshine – Yes! I saw that H&M seersucker blazer too! I had to stop myself from reaching for it by reminding myself I already had one! Too bad it fit funny because it's really cute! I'm sure there will be some more seersucker as the season goes on.

@The Little Dust Princess – Thank you for hosting Jessy!

@MissRockwell – Yes…seersucker is wonderful! I'm really loving it. Such a crisp summer fabric. ;)

@Vicky – I know! I always forget to pull my handbag out when I'm taking blog photos. I'll try harder to give her some camera time, just for you Vicky! ;)
fashionforteens

I'm so sad that I missed this PFC. I've been so busy lately and haven't been keeping up on all of my favorite blogs. I love this outfit though. The seersucker blazer and red heels make the classic lbd modern and fun. Love it!
Michelle’s Style File

Great outfit. Your blazer ties it all together perfectly!

x
Michelle
http://www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com
Jen HaHA

I like seersucker because it never looks like it needs to be ironed. That's the nature of it. I like how you stated the way they compliment each other! The pearls are lovely!

Jen Hemming and Hawing Again
jeweliette

Ahhh, I love your red Jimmy Choo peep toes! I love Jimmy Choo! :P
shystardreamer

The outfit look great. You should wear dresses/ skirt more often. You look good in them.
SewPetiteGal

I heart your necklace combo – it so screams "Chanel"! I would have never thought to pair seersucker with the LBD but they actually go together very well. Another successful PFC entry!
aneetac

You look so chic! I absolutely love the outfit, especially the necklace.
Ski Petite

You definitely made the LBD looks standout. Good job!
http://vanityofvanities-thevanityoflife.blogspot.com/ Cathy

Classic, classy, and chic! love the blazer on the little black dress, eh. The accessories are great too. Love the outfit!

Cheers,
Cathy@Pair Your Best Discount Scrubs to Look Like A Million Bucks