Fashion

5 ways to update your LBD this spring

This spring, think of your LBD as a canvas. Experiment, play, dress it up— and transform it into something totally new! Here are our five favourite ways to shake up your go-to wardrobe staple.

by : Laura deCarufel- Mar 21st, 2011

1. TAILOR IT UP (OR DOWN)
Find a tailor you trust, and get creative! Bring in the waist, shorten the hem, take off the sleeves. You can even add sleeves right on the seam line: A pretty cap sleeve in delicate lace is bang on trend, and has the added bonus of creating a flattering, ultra feminine line against your arm.

If you have an ankle-length LBD, bring it up to mid-calf—a ladylike proportion that is also one of spring’s hottest trends, seen at Chloé, Rodarte, and Roland Mouret.

2. PLAY WITH LAYERS
For day, sweaters add another stylish layer. To lengthen your silhouette, choose a cropped cardi in a bold bright, like aquamarine or honeysuckle. Swap last season’s boyfriend blazer for a hip-skimming vest, which adds an edgy masculine vibe that feels totally modern.

For evening, pair your LBD with a tailored tuxedo jacket or a slim-fitting leather topper. If you have a strapless LBD, add a sheer or black lace tank underneath—a sexy but chic look that works well for racerback LBDs, too.

3. MIX IN COLOUR
The right accessories can make any look brand-new, and this spring, it’s all about juicy colour and punchy prints. Cinch an LBD with a slim belt in a trendy hue—like dreamy lavender, or the deep coral shown at Jil Sander and Ralph Lauren. For a little extra pop, pin a colourful vintage brooch on your belt, or in your hair.

4. …AND PATTERNS
When it comes to prints, think no holds barred! Prada went (literally) bananas, but a scarf patterned with funky geometrics or leopard prints works just as well to add dimension to your look. Patterned platform sandals add an extra dose of spring freshness.

5. ADD TEXTURE WITH JEWELLERY
You’re in the market for drama, so skip the sweet stuff and go straight for the heavy metals. Your best bets for a statement shortcut: Eddie Borgo’s punked up studded bracelets, Pamela Love’s bird-claw necklaces, and, closer to home, the whale bone rings created by Toronto designer Dandi Maestre. Mix, match, and pile it on—multiple necklaces, and jumbles and jumbles of bangles.