Eclectic Joy

Sally’s Black Dress Challenge. Edited to add more black outfits

August 2, 2021

I decided to participate in Sally’s black dress challenge be in August as that is when I am most likely to wear summer black.  I will mostly feature a black sleeveless Talbots dress from the Good Will store.  As it was popular during my battle of black dresses challenge but sometimes will wear a shorter more fitted version.  

I started with what is mostly the basic dress but also wore a long older Halogen black linen cardi when I needed warmth.  (#1/2).  Shoes are old EF black wide ankle strap flats.  Very comfortable.  Hair is COVID long and pulled back with a big black silk bow. This could be worn to a summer funeral.  Some silver and shell jewelry was added. I used a small black fringed suede leather bag and a big black straw bag to add more texture.
I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Edited to add today’s outfit ( #3-5). Same black dress with black and tan top and scarf, Taryn Rose bronze flats.

ETA: today’s black dress outfit.  I needed red for courage to
say goodbye our dear doggie, Maggie.  The basic dress is topped by a colorful poncho topper that is like a scar.  The print has black and brown in its animal print.  Red shoulder bag.
More  black dress outfits.  #8 is the basic dress with pearls and shells and my white espadrilles for a hot day.  #9-11 are the same dress with different jackets in cotton or linen.  #12/13 is the dress with a white linen EF poncho.

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Posted in the Dressing category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

27 Comments

  • kellygirl replied 2 years ago

    So chic, Joy! You look so pretty!

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Thank you  Kellygirl.  I am really considering a haircut before everything closes up again.  But it is so easy to deal with long like this and DH still has his beard.  

  • Minaminu replied 2 years ago

    you rock!  very stylish as usual!

  • Bonnie replied 2 years ago

    Beautiful combo. Looking forward to seeing what else you come up with.

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Thank you, minaminu and Bonnie, I am considering some possible funeral and dress-up and casual outfits for different seasons, but most will be summer looks.
    Today I am wearing the same dress under a striped top of black and tan vertical stripes worn with a long black, tan, grey and olive scarf and Taryn Rose metallic bronze flats (#2/3, shoes in #1 are old Me Too flats that seemed too black) and pearl earrings.

    1 2 3
  • rachylou replied 2 years ago

    Whoa, rockin’ it! I love that you pattern mixed! Totally What Deborah Harry Would Do :D

  • Star replied 2 years ago

    Black and Tan top is fabulous.  I love the color combination and stripes are always a favorite for me.  YLF!

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Star, I love stripes too and Rachylou, I can’t help but pattern mix with stripes when I can.  Almost everything is old and thrifted that I am wearing.  

  • Irina replied 2 years ago

    Black, black & tan looks wonderful on you! YLF!

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Thank you, Irina, I don’t have much tan and hope to add more. These pieces were hanging next to each other.

  • madeline replied 2 years ago

    Very chic! I love the color combo and the pattern mixing.

  • Helena replied 2 years ago

    What a fantastic, versatile dress. You look great, Joy!

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Thank you, Madeline and Helena, for your kind comments.

  • replied 2 years ago

    Love the first especially!

  • bj1111 replied 2 years ago

    i am loving this thread

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Thank you Suntiger and bj1111.  The opinions of such intelligent women  is most welcome.

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Today’s black dress with a bright poncho top from consignment worn for  courage to say goodbye to our dear old dog, Maggie.  I accessorized with a red shoulder bag also from consignment., and old giraffe print flats.

    1 2
  • Sally replied 2 years ago

    Wow Joy.  This is great.  You have created some really elegant outfits with the black dress.   I feel like I have let you down.  While I have been wearing my black dresses, I have not been so good at documenting them as I wear them to work with very little time to get ready and then I"m pretty exhausted when I get home.  I'm planning to put the dress on and then change the shoes and accessories and recreate the clothes I wore each day midmonth when I get a little bit of time.  Thanks for joining it.  It is a great exercise in working out how we can get by on less clothes with a few accessories to change things up.  I found this article about a lady who wore the same black top and pants for a week and thought it was really interesting.  
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-s.....the-planet

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Sally , thank you for this challenge and the link.  One of the biggest lessons I have learned about building a wardrobe is that you don’t need much if you start with a column of a neutral like a dress or matching top and pants.  Then it is easy to add toppers and accessories for different looks.  If you can make a column of a dark neutral and of a light neutral, you can probably work in anything.  I am starting to try a column of color with a non-neutral.  Today at the consignment store I got a column of coral ( my favorite color) and a print topper.  This is strictly for warm weather.  It will be fun to play with.  

    I am not done with the black dress challenge yet.  I have more ideas and will post them here.  I can probably wear a black dress for at least a month without repeating outfits, but I don’t want to wear it every day.  I will wear it tomorrow and Sunday dressed up for anniversary celebrations and then try some casual looks with sneakers.  

  • bj1111 replied 2 years ago

    The first outfit with and without the sweater topper is ace. How do you feel about sporting it with a more casual shoe?

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    I do want to try this dress with more casual shoes like tie and slip on sneakers.  I did wear it with casual white espadrilles.  See photos below with shells and pearls, white espadrilles and white linen poncho thingy for when I needed a topper.  What do you think?  Too casual?

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  • Sally replied 2 years ago

    oh I like it with the white top and the espadrilles.  What is your black dress made of.  Mine are made of a cotton stretch and I have to be careful how I launder it.  I have worn it with my motto jacket, cardigans and my new black jacket and red jacket.  I am waiting for warmer weather to wear with my denim jacket and sneakers.  This is the only photo I have taken so far.  The interesting thing about the article is that the lady only has 6 pairs of shoes, even I the shoe minimalist have more than that!

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  • Ana replied 2 years ago

    Joy, I just read your response on another thread about how it's harder and harder not to become invisible the older you get. I've always admired your style and I just wanted to say if I saw you walking down the street I would definitely notice you and think how chic and fabulous you look! :) 

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

    Sally, adding the white was an attempt to summarize the black dress.  I think the fabric is a blend of Fay on and nylon.  It is a heavy knit that skims over everything and does not wrinkle.  I am also amazed at only 6 pairs of shoes.  I have way more but live in a four season climate and never wear the same shoes two days in a row to avoid any problems with rubbing or pinching.  That means I think of my shoes as each pair interchangeable with another pair.  Then there are strictly house or indoor shoes and outdoor shoes. .  I don’t think I could go down to six pair and still maintain healthy feet.  As a child we had three pair I think, black or brown for school and winter, white for Easter and maybe sandals or flip flops for summer. Later we needed a pair of gym shoes that stayed in the school gym locker and that was a hardship on family finances.  Shoes, and having several pair seems luxurious now. 

    You look very elegant in your black.  I have not yet worn mine for the challenge with a Jean jacket or moto or a couple of patterned bomber jackets because they would be too warm.  I want to try a denim vest and a long sleeveless gillet soon thinking the denim would look more casual. 
    Thank you for your kind words, Ana.  

  • bj1111 replied 2 years ago

    I love the white espadrilles version! Summerizing achieved

    I know it’s not your innate preference, can you take even sportier?

  • Angie replied 2 years ago

    Blown away by #6. KILLER fab and creative. I'm soooo sorry about darling Maggie. It's very, very sad. ((((HUGS))). 

  • Joy replied 2 years ago

     bj1111, yes, today’s outfit was the dress with grey slip-on sneaker/ loafer high-breds and a an low slung belt and tan bag.  I hope to get a picture but the .ok is even more casual.  I don’t have tan sneakers or anything close or they would have been the first choice
    Angie, thank you.  We are very sad and.miss Maggie terribly.  

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