This month, Jessy of The Little Dust Princess hosted the Petite Fashion Challenge #7. The challenge was based upon the little black dress.
The Challenge
A little black dress (LBD) is essential in every woman’s wardrobe. It’s always great for back-up if you run out of outfit ideas for a night out. Adding a pop of colour to your LBD will change up its look and make your dress a little less boring.
For this challenge, add a pop of colour (or two) to your little black dress to change up the look. You could add anything from an accessory to a blazer, or even nail polish!
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of little black dresses. What first comes to mind is a form-fitting, figure hugging piece that makes me feel quite vulnerable and insecure. For the most part, I’m comfortable in my own skin, but when faced with the LBD, I just want to run away.
The whole point of participating in this challenge is that it can be hard, it does push your boundaries, and I had to face my fears.
Currently, I own two black dresses (one and two) but I think one is too casual and the second was already part of a previous challenge. So I went for a third option, my sister’s American Apparel dress. It’s a long sleeve body-con mini LBD and something I wouldn’t normally pick out because you can’t “hide” in the dress. I don’t have the perfect body, so it made me really nervous just walking out in this dress.
My mind raced as I was taking photos, thinking that my stomach was too flabby, my legs too thick and pasty white, and I’m too old to wear something like this…until I caught myself thinking these things and told myself, “STOP!”
I am a strong, confident, independent woman and I’m letting a little black dress defeat me?
When I realized how silly I was for being afraid of this LBD, I laughed.
So, I took a breather and sucked it up (and in) to take photos of my outfit. I wanted to choose something that didn’t rely on the typical red shoe or fancy silk scarf. Instead, I selected a security blanket in the form of a double-breasted boyfriend blazer to assuage my fears.
I probably should’ve added a few more accessories looking back, but at the time, I was so fixated on the LBD that I wasn’t thinking as creatively.
Outfit Details: Buckley Tailors (Madewell) blazer – XS, American Apparel dress – S, Forever 21 necklace and clutch, Steve Madden heels
Being a blogger doesn’t mean you’re perfect or that you don’t have insecurities. But I think part of this process is to explore and face these fears because we all go through it. I wear a lot of loose, relaxed silhouettes because it’s comfortable and it makes me feel empowered. It also makes me feel covered. But when you strip it away to a body conscious “sexy” dress, I get so anxious…partly because I feel exposed and partly because I don’t consider myself sexy.
It’s weird how simple little challenges like these bring out the worst of our body image issues. I’m not sure how others feel, but I know I’m uncomfortable with figure hugging clothing and it’s something I need to work on that because at the end of the day…it’s just clothes.
Not to be too serious or anything…it’s just that LBDs aren’t my friends…yet.
To see more outfits from participating petites, go to: The Little Dust Princess.
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
whoa, hot momma!!! it may be easy to say, but you look wonderful, and there is nothing to be self conscious about. loving that gold necklace, dress, and the outfit!
jenny
http://goldnturquoise.blogspot.com/
I am so glad you tried something out of your comfort zone! I think your legs look hot! That was the first thing I noticed (obviously) before reading! Great choice with the blazer!
I can definitely relate…I have gone through the “I don’t feel sexy”. I feel like I am the “cute little one”, but never “sexy”. “Could be worse” is usually what I tell myself! Lol!
Wow never thought of a blazer! Looks great! I wish I was able to take my challenge pictures outside…but the weather is not cooperating around here!
I’m glad you were able to laugh and try something new. There are certain clothes that make me feel self conscious, and I think it’s important to feel comfortable.
But I think you did a great job in the challenge. That necklace is very cool.
I agree, you gotta be comfortable in what you’re wearing or it shows. I want to try new things, but I need to push myself out of that comfort zone so I can figure out what I can actually pull off. You never know unless you try right?
GREAT post, Jess! This is so inspiring. You just put down in words my feelings about body-hugging dresses (or clothes in general) and my own insecurities. I hope one day I can step out and face my fears head on too. This is my favorite outfit of the challenge!
Jess, you are one of my favorite bloggers BECAUSE you are so strong and stretch yourself to try new things! You look fabulous and there’s no reason for you to feel insecure! I love that you added the long jacket to the outfit to make it ” you” so you can now come to terms with your LBD-fear
BTW, those shoes ROCK!
Thanks so much for your words! I was halfway to a panic attack taking these photos so it’s awesome that it’s appreciated. Pushing your fashion boundaries also pushes your psychological state because we’re so tied to our clothes…it defines us. But that’s what I want to figure out…why do we put ourselves in a fashion “box” when the whole point of having all these styles available is to try it out and move away from that cookie cutter mold.
I love this post, Jess! It’s so inspring. I recently try some new looks myself too. It’s so easy to dress in pencil skirts and cardigans all the time (at least for me). Fashion is all about experimenting and trying new things. You look fabulous. Great job with the challenge!
Jess, congrats on venturing out of the comfort zone and double congrats on looking a-may-zing (said Pineapple Express style). The styling’s terrific – love the dress and the heels and the necklace and the blazer and the clutch…
LOVE IT!
I think you pulled off the look quite well! I can definitely relate to feeling very self conscious in tight and/or revealing clothing (give me jeans and a tee any day!), but I think it can also be liberating when you push the boundaries of your comfort zone.
Jess, you look hot! I didn’t even know you had insecurities until I went back to read your post. Yeah, LBD’s are notorious for being body-conscious sometimes…that why I’m glad I found a ruffle-ly LBD to cover the parts I’m insecure about. Anyways, this is actually one of my favorite looks on you with the blazer, the long statement necklace and the those gorgeous purple heels. I know you had worn those shoes in previous post, but this one made it really pop out and I love it best shown here.
I never really mention my insecurities or things like that…it’s almost “taboo” since I’m breaking this idealized image of perfection or confidence as a fashion/style blogger but I think we do need to talk about it. It’s real and unless we figure out how to deal with it, we’re never going to be comfortable in our own skin. =)
You look great Jess!! I’m not sure why you’re worrying!
I always need to suck in for my photos too
I always use to worry about my legs being too chunky and other imperfections, then I realized I gotta flaunt it now or never! 
-lor
Agreed. If you don’t love and accept your body now when you’re young, what’ll you be like when you’re older? =)
Everything you wrote is so true! Very brave of you Jess…I would feel exposed in a dress that tight and short too. But you faced the challenge head on and killed it! Still loving those shoes!
I applaud you for being so brave. Woot woot! It takes guts to wear something like this and its definitely not for everyone. I would not wear this dress b/c its too short for me, I would be too scared to bend down or sit.
This dress is made for clubbing, but also for chatting over cocktails. It’s not really a dress you’d want to sit in. LOL.
I agree with Jenny (not just because I’m also Jenny): Hot mama! This totally elongates your legs! Loves your shoes! The blazer was a great idea!
Honestly, these challenges as a whole and visiting petite bloggers sites had made me insecure in the beginning because I’m one of the few (if not only) petites doing these challenges who is not a size 0, 2, or 4. I don’t post my measurements because I don’t have measuring tape, and if I did I probably still wouldn’t. I’m petite because of my height and that measurement I know: 4’11″. I guess I am still a little insecure.
I think it does take guts to put yourself on display through your blog. I know it can be intimidating…I’m the same way, thinking that I should be skinnier, curvier, tanner, etc.
But we’re all different and celebrating that diversity is important because although the blogosphere is filled with seemingly modelesque people, the majority of the real world doesn’t fit into model sizes at all. I love that you participate in these challenges because it gives people hope that they too can look fab and they don’t have to a size 0 to do so. =)
You make the most adorable faces.
You’re right, the LBD is definitely a scary piece to face. You definitely pulled it off though! I’m glad you wrote about your feeling nervous about this challenge. I felt the same way after my photos came out. ><;
http://couture-petite.com
You look fabulous! And I am going to forward this post to one of my best friends who has a thing for purple strappy shoes– those are drool-worthy! xoxo kiki
i think you have a great figure and amazing proportions for a petite! nice work on the challenge!
Jess I love this post! I can relate to EVERYTHING your wrote and I think to me you are one of the most confident bloggers I know! Everyone feels a little insecure and just because you blog doesn’t change that! This is what I love about blogging though, kind of taking risks and putting yourself out there – as Kelly said you KILLED it!
This is the only time in my life when I’m most open to change and if I don’t experiment now, when will I? I want to take fashion risks because that’s where you grow the most because you discover things that enhance your style and may even take it into a new direction. We always wish to dress better or differently, but unless we take steps toward that goal, we’ll never get there.
O-M-G…..you look HOT HOT HOT!!! Dang you have legs for days!!! I haven’t seen a look like this on you and loving this side of you! You did a great job and look gorgeous Jess!
I don’t think you should be bashful about anything, b/c you look absolutely smokin’
thanks so much for your honesty jess!
kimchi girl
Um, Jess, YES.
I don’t own an LBD, so I panicked and decided not to give in to this challenge at all, because I thought I couldn’t. Khatu totally cheated… now I’m thinking, F*CK, I totally should have improvised!
I love how polished AND feisty this outfit is. It’s sexy without a hint of sluttage, and it’s professional and mature at the same time.
BRAVO. Now I guess I need to get me a LBTD (little black tank dress).
xx{ish.},
Mae Lu @ thereafterish.!
{whistle} ow!
I noticed you added a pop of pink to your lips. That’s a great way to add color to your face & the outfit.
hehe; ur totally right about the tailoring of the LBD. i’ve only brought pants to the tailor for shortening. i’m a little heavier so i fit into the sizes width-wise off the rack. (gift or curse?) :p my dress could use a little more shape, tho. we’ll see!
jenny
http://goldnturquoise.blogspot.com/
Seriously, that is HOT! I love bodycons and I think pairing it with a blazer makes it look even more lush!
thanks for being so honest jess! i definitely share some of your thoughts, but you know what? you’re right – these challenges help us recognize and overcome those fears. you’re brave for stepping out of your comfort zone and you look AMAZING in that LBD!
Thank you for voicing out what a lot of women probably are scared to share– that we have our own little insecurities that we try to hide. As bloggers, we put ourselves out there and become vulnerable to criticism so for me, my insecurities creep up extra often–which is why I tend to wear more full skirts than pencil ones. Haha! But it’s alright. It’s part of accepting your own beauty.
Love how you conquered this hot dress and “covering up” with the blazer.
We have to accept ourselves and sometimes, airing out our fears helps us face the problem head on. We always want to put our best foot forward, but also have to realize that we’re imperfect and it’s ok. It’s those little imperfections that make us unique and different. I think that’s what separates bloggers and models…we are allowed to be imperfect whereas models are expected to be almost “otherworldly” perfect.
Aw Jess! I think LBDs are a classic and look good on everybody. The reason being that they are plain black and come in different styles. Long sleeves, short sleeves, sleeveless, etc. There should be one for every body type! I think you look amazing pairing the LBD with the blazer. The shoes look great with your outfit!
Thank you for participating! : )
You look great my dear! I especially love that fish necklace!! I don’t know what it is about animal pendants but they really entice me
Also, I know exactly what you mean about insecurities. I usually hate how I look in my pictures… but it’s me and that’s all I can do! Most of the stuff we see with our own eyes are invisible to others 
the dress is lovely on you jess. and i love the purple heels!
I honestly think this dress looks TERRIFIC on you!
Whoa! Hot chica! Your legs look like they are a mile-long in this dress! Glad you were able to feel more comfortable by pairing this with a boyfriend blazer – I really like the contrast of the 2 pieces
I think you look amazing in your LBD! You’re soo right that it’s just clothes at the end of the day. You awesome bloggers have helped me to try outfits that are out of my comfort zone of flowy items. So once again, thank you for putting yourself out there and doing it so well!
i love how you spiced up your LBD with the purple heels & necklace. you have a great blog, i’m your newest follower girl! xx
I’m so glad you brought this up on your blog. I am new to blogs and just started my own so those same worries have been plaguing me. I didn’t realize how tough it is to put yourself on display for all to see. It does help to see other people like you who are just as human as the rest of us. Will definitely add your blog to my list of reads.
you look great in this bodycon! and pfft you look way better than half of us fashion bloggers. it is hard to embrace all the imperfections but blogging helps you start. trust me, i wouldn’t dare snap a picture of my runner thighs two years ago and put it on the internet.
HELP!!! i love your Buckley Tailors blazer- i recently found a new one in a consignment shop, but it was too small… i’m in love with the cut and style but am having a hard time finding this brand anywhere
where did you get yours???
I picked it up a Madewell, J.Crew’s sister store. =)
I think you conquered that little black dress there! I hear you, we all have certain insecurities or thing we’re self-conscious about. You’re right, though, style blogging helps us push our boundaries and get over those issues, even if only in baby steps. By the way, love the purple shoes with all the black.
f
The House in the Clouds
“I’m not sure how others feel, but I know I’m uncomfortable with figure hugging clothing and it’s something I need to work on that because at the end of the day…it’s just clothes.”
Well said. But on the contrary you look good wearing the LBD, eh. I guess the right accessories create magic in you. The shoes, the necklace, the clutch and the blazer are great for this LBD.
Cheers,
Cathy@baby phat scrubs
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