I am Not Allowed to Buy Another LBD

If fashion were a religion, the little black dress would be pope. It intrigues me that the simple concept has inspired such cult-like devotion. I suppose this fanaticism stems from black’s pure simplicity — like a self-flushing toilet, a LBD does most of the work for you.

I have fallen prey all too often — I have three black dresses in my closet, and I have a firm moratorium on buying any others. But this particular LBD is quite special.

Dress: Catherine Malandrino (Consignment) | Chartreuse Scarf: Love Brigade | Shoes: Christian Louboutin (Saks)
Dress: Catherine Malandrino (Consignment) | Chartreuse Scarf: Love Brigade | Shoes: Christian Louboutin (Saks)

The bottom of the dress — a pencil skirt silhouette — is fairly straightforward. But the top of the dress, with its comically puffed sleeves, is as joyful as all-black can get. These sleeves are the lifeblood of this dress. Without them, this outfit would be incredibly boring. Studded with as many holes as a block of Swiss cheese, the design is a riot of 3-D floral lace appliqués and embroidery.

The dress was a $30 consignment find in Atlanta, but it reminded me of a much more expensive dress from a recent Dolce & Gabbana line.

A look from the Fall 2013 Dolce & Gabbana line.
A look from the Fall 2013 Dolce & Gabbana line.

There are key differences, of course: The Dolce & Gabbana dress is constructed entirely of lace, while mine is cotton that’s dressing like lace for Halloween.

Here is the detail up close:

Applique and embroidery details.
Applique and embroidery details.

My shoes and hosiery are all black, so I needed to throw on a color. I chose a chartreuse color, which might be my favorite color for accessories. Let’s face it — a black scarf by Miu Miu looks the same as a black scarf by H&M.

But chartreuse’s bold eccentricity automatically looks more special, deliberate and, frankly, expensive. If the dress is a midnight garden, the scarf provides some much-needed chlorophyll.

Texture on texture.
Texture on texture.