Oct 8, 20224 min read

Style Diary: $10 LBD for 3 Occasions!

A little black dress is supposed to be a staple in every woman's wardrobe, but not all LBDs are created equal. Some are strictly for formal occasions, while others are more appropriate for the office or a date night. Depending on the fabric, cut, and overall design, some LBDs can be versatile enough to be styled up for any occasion; dressed up or down.

Oddly enough, I've acquired a couple of LBDs that I barely wear on a casual basis. They're all reserved for more dressy events. And when a dressy event rolls around, I typically go with anything other than a LBD for some reason. With my penchant for neutrals this season - that clean girl style - I was on the hunt for a simple black dress I would actually wear; that works well with sneakers on weekends as it does with heels or a cardigan.

Just before lockdowns in the USA - at the start of the pandemic in 2020 - I discovered a women's clothing store called Discovery Clothing. I'd passed it by several times during the 2019 holiday season because I was frequenting a few stores in the area for home decor. Seeing the cute fashions in the window displays piqued my interest and one day in early March I decided to check them out. My first impression was some of items were clearly overpriced for what they were, but overall, I'd categorize the style and price point to be part Rainbow Shops + Target with a side of Walmart and a big dollop of SHEIN on top. The place was fairly huge with a variety of stock ranging from teens/juniors to a more mature age group, including the working woman. There are some hits and misses, but when you find a hit, you better not leave the store without it. During my first visit, I picked up a pair of silver heels and a skirt, which was to be my attempt at gauging their sizing and quality. The skirt ran a tad small, so I returned it just before we were no longer allowed to visit shops, but the shoes were a winner (worn in the photo below).

Fast forward two years (September 2022) and I finally found my way back for a follow-up visit. On the random weekend I popped in "just to browse", they were having an end-of-Summer BOGO sale. Yes, a buy one, get one free deal on items they were trying to clear out to make room for the Fall/Autumn pieces they were busy putting on racks. Needless to say, my "just looking" excursion became a feeding frenzy. I found SO many affordable things regularly priced as well as BOGO deals; styles I could see going seamlessly into a Miami Fall or Winter and maybe into next Spring. It doesn't get very cold for too long here, so fabrics that can be layered or worn without too much bulk or fuss on days with fluctuating temperatures are always top of mind for me.

Initially, I was focused on workwear items, but then unearthed pieces that work for weekends or just lounging around the house. The BOGO deals were super special because they were already reduced to clearance prices of $10 or less, and for each item I found, I was determined to find a corresponding FREEBIE! When I came across a ribbed little black tank dress, my first thought was to make it a casual house dress. It was only $10, so I wasn't sure it would be good for anything else. I picked it up in a large because I didn't want the dress to fit me snug. I wanted it to just skim my body so I could feel comfortable versus being squeezed like a sausage roll. There were tons of other casual tank dresses, but this LBD was going to be my tester. If I liked the way it washed and fit after washing, I'd go back and buy more. Not only did it wash well, but it dries even better; with minimal ironing and steaming needed. I threw this into my suitcase at the last minute for a work trip and when I unpacked it it was pretty much good to go!

THE LBD (little black dress)

Dress: Discovery (only available in store) * This photo is after 2 washings. Still maintaining its shape and color.

Also, during this excursion, I purchased a few "tester" pieces. Pants, tops, shorts, swimsuit, etc. The clothes were literally spilling out of my arms as I sorted though nearly 6 long racks of BOGO items. At checkout I felt so bad for the cashier, I began removing the hangers from my stash to expedite getting me out. About three weeks later, I returned to pick up more of these tank dresses and hit the motherload. They weren't BOGO anymore, but still affordable enough ($9.99 - $12.99) for me to end up with another armload at checkout. A few other items I initially had my eye on were already sold out by the time I returned, which let me know this is the kind of store where when you see it, you better grab it. When you go back , it could be gone. Mind you, some were new stock items I saw the salespeople bring out and put on the racks. Three weeks later, they were gone. Expect to see more hauls from this store because I'm officially a fan!

To see how I styled up my new $10 LBD in 3 different ways see below! Keep in mind, I purchased it with the idea it would be something to lounge around the house in. 💖