Date-night: The Little Black Dress

     The Little Black Dress, lovingly referred to as the LBD, was a topic of conversation for Rachel Zoe and Erin Foster at a recent Box of Style event I attended here in L.A.. But not in the deferential way you might think. When asked about date-night dressing, Ms. Foster said, “I don’t buy into the little black dress thing. I like to wear what really shows who I am. Dress as yourself and represent yourself in an authentic way.” This is absolutely the best advice when it comes to dating, but there are those times when you want to treat yourself to an elevated, special, and more formal look, and Rachel Zoe specializes in these styles. And lucky for us, there are plenty of fun and casual LBD’s to choose from, whether it’s the ruffle dress in my last post, or a beautiful broderie or eyelet style. An LBD will always be a classic. And Rachel Zoe is still designing some of my favorites, along with Alice & Olivia, who made this suede style I am wearing. Frilly, formal, casual or streamlined, any which way you slice it, the Little Black Dress always packs fashion punch. Every fashion-girl knows the importance of the LBD. It’s a staple. The staple of staples!

SHOP THIS LOOK: THE LBD EDIT

     My favorite date-night silhouette right now has to be the one, cold-shoulder. This style is for the nights when you want to feel sexy and summery. Here I am in Venice, California along the waterfront of the Venice canals near Valentine’s Day in what has to be my favorite Alice + Olivia purchase ever. Suede, body-conscious, with ruffles in all the right places. I also wore a similar one, cold-shoulder wrap dress by Wayf in red during the holidays. When in Venice...I highly recommend a walk along the canals before sunset, followed by a stroll along Abbott Kinney Boulevard ending at Gjelina for a date-night dinner and drinks. One more recommended spot perfectly suited to a romantic and traditional LBD, has to be Giorgio Baldi, a nondescript Italian restaurant known for its homemade Italian pasta, frequented by celebrity couples like, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, and Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis.

SHOP SPRING DATE-NIGHT DRESSES

    If you really want to feel romantic and a little playful with your date-night style, I found this Whiting & Davis heart-shaped clutch at Free People. Each color of this design benefits a different charity. And of course, pairing your look with a little Chanel lipstick never killed the romance. 

    So what is your take on the LBD debate? Are you more laid-back come date-night, or, do you like to up your style and take it out on the town? Either way, spring is here so I've rounded the cutest date-night dresses I'm loving now. 

     I have to admit when it comes to date-night dressing a little drama is what I crave. And for me, it’s the little details that matter and feel special. Wishing you love, and style always! 

xo, Christina