The Perfect LBD for Summer and Cruising

Think black only looks good in the cool weather months? Think again. Simple black pieces in lightweight fabrics are lovely in the summer and give one a cool, sophisticated look. After some searching, I’ve found the perfect LBD for summer!

A simple black dress can be styled casually with slides and a hat for a picnic or yard party. Likewise, you can style it with heels and a woven bag for evening style. Since black is flattering on almost everyone, it’s an easy way to style an outfit that makes you look your best.

The Perfect LBD for Summer

As I will be going on a cruise in about two weeks, I’ve had to think of the best way to pack for both sightseeing by day, and dinner in a dining room in the evening. The cruise will also have at least two formal nights. On our first cruises, I enjoyed the formal nights as a chance to really bring out the bling and have formal photos taken to memorialize the trip. After several, however, some of that excitement has worn off. I’m much for interested in packing light and making the trip as laid-back as possible. I’ve found I can still dress up enough for a formal dinner without wearing a prom dress!

For example, I plan to take my long black skirt, shown in the post What to Wear with a Maxi Skirt for Summer:

And in the post, How to Style a Tropical Print Top:

Since a black maxi skirt goes with almost anything, I plan to take two or three tops that can double for the day with shorts and jeans and the evening with a dressy skirt.

But I still needed a dress that would look formal enough and not take up lots of room in my suitcase. One that also wouldn’t wrinkle too badly while in transit. Alas, Trunk Club to the rescue! This dress just came in my Trunk Club selection. It has a lot going for it 1) It’s made of a polyester/cotton knit almost like a tee, 2) I can roll it in my suitcase and it will arrive none the worse for wear, and 3) Styled with a bit of bling and some heeled sandals, it will look smart and stylish for dinner. Perfect!

This little black dress is super stylish with details like the gathering at the waist and the contemporary asymmetrical hem. The twist front gives my straight figure some needed definition. At $69, this dress will easily achieve a cost-to-wear ratio, making it a smart buy.

Hate black? Or it just doesn’t look good on you? The dress also comes in gray and red.

Perfect Accessories for the Summer LBD

A little black dress is so easy to accessorize, which is definitely the benefit of this simple dress style.

Neutral heeled sandals will go with lots of things in my suitcase and allow the LBD to be the standout for this outfit.

In this photo, I added only my gold disc earrings. For a dressier dinner outfit, I would add a necklace and bracelet. With the black background of this dress, almost anything will stand out. The added bling will also add to the dressier look.

This crochet wood-handled bag is so cute. The neutral handles create balance with the neutral tan in the sandals. I love the simple elegance of a crochet bag.

Heading out on a trip? Need something to throw in your suitcase for an evening dinner with your honey? Honestly, you won’t be sorry with this easy to style LBD. Just throw it over your head, add heels and jewelry, and you are ready to go!

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Happy travels!