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I’m a big fan of dresses.
You don’t have to think about it – just throw one on and you’re good to go. If like me, you’re not at your brightest first thing in the morning π , it sure helps to get the day under way if you don’t have to stop and think about what skirt goes with which top and which jacket or maybe just a belt and …
Thanks to participating in Frocktober last year, and a bit of an op shopping habit, I have quite a lot of dresses these days!
But if my wardrobe was more limited, these would be the 5 dresses I would still make sure I had. In fact, dare I say, these are the 5 dresses EVERY woman should have in her wardrobe!
1. Basic Black Dress
Surprisingly, I don’t have the classic little black dress – a more formal, or evening option – in my wardrobe.
Instead, what I think is essential is a basic black dress in a soft tshirt material – which to me is daywear only. Check out my post on just some of the ways you can style a basic black dress.
2. Evening Gown
Most of us rarely get to wear an evening gown, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have one in our wardrobe, ready for action! There is nothing worse than having a special occasion coming up and desperately trying to find a suitable outfit.
Luckily, evening gowns tend to be more classic designs, meaning that when you find one you love at a great price, buy it – even if you don’t know if you’ll ever wear it! Because you just never know …
3. Tea Dress
Nothing makes you feel more feminine than a tea dress with a full skirt, in a pretty floral and worn with heels. Tea dresses have a slightly retro, vintage feel; they were a favourite during the golden age of Hollywood, so try one on if you want to feel like a retro starlet. As the name suggests, they are perfect for attending a high tea, but also look fab at weddings, and as race wear – actually anywhere that you want to feel flirty and feminine.
4. Cocktail Dress
Sadly, while most of us don’t attend Hollywood premieres or awards nights, balls, or royal galas requiring an evening gown on a regular basis – we will more than likely have plenty of opportunities to wear a cocktail dress, for occasions such as work parties and weddings.
Traditionally, cocktail dresses are knee length (or slightly shorter or longer), although these days pretty much anything goes! But I think they definitely call for more luxurious fabrics such as lace, chiffon, velvet, and a bit of bling.
5. Everywhere Dress
Hopefully, every woman has more than one of these in her wardrobe. An everywhere dress is something comfortable that you can wear for everyday activities – shopping, movies, barbecues, school drop off, coffee with friends, having people over.
You can read more about everywhere dresses here.
In my opinion, every woman should have these 5 dresses hanging in her wardrobe … do you think I have missed any?!
Liz Posmyk says
I love the tea dress, Janet. Sadly, I don’t wear enough dresses these days… waiting to slim down to my svelte old self xx
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Liz, the label is Timeless by Vannessa Tong, I love their stuff – stumbled across them in an op shop. They have a FB page but not a website, and sell at the local markets up here. And, can I encourage you – don’t wait! Just work with what you’ve got. I really need to drop at least 5 kg myself but I still want to look good right now, not just when I’m trim taut and terrific!
Raych aka Mystery Case says
Love all of these dresses on you.
My legs are so swollen at the moment and I’m far too short for maxi dresses (to hide this), so nothing is really looking good on me at the moment. I have a couple of events coming up and I’m at a loss because my normal standby wardrobe solutions just aren’t cutting the mustard.
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Raych, is it worth taking up a couple of maxi dresses or getting somebody to take them up for you? I’ve done that with a couple of mine – eg the everywhere dress above – coz I used to trip over it all the time, and I get much more wear out of them that way!
Natalie @ our parallel connection says
Just love the black dress with red flowers, very feminine and very flattering
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Natalie, it’s one of my favourites too – even if it DOES need ironing, LOL!
EssentiallyJess says
I don’t wear dresses enough, but I think that’s because I don’t have many that I love. That tea dress is gorgeous.
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Jess. My weight tends to fluctuate a bit so dresses are much more forgiving π
Ness says
I’ve only got a couple of dresses in my wardrobe. I mainly wear pants. I love all of yours, though.
Janet Camilleri says
I’m a pants girl in winter but in summer I love the comfort factor of a dress
June Lennie says
Janet – I also like your tea dress but love your cocktail dress in particular. I’d like to find out more about it as I think it would really suit me (if it’s still available for sale of course!). I bought two cocktail style dresses in the David Jones Boxing Day sale last year – I think you inspired me after doing the Frocktober thing. I hadn’t worn a dress for a very long time but really liked how they looked. I’ve only worn one of them so far (at a new year event) but have a night out coming up soon where I plan to wear the other one (I needed new sandals to go with it which I now have). As you say, they’re so easy to wear. It just took a bit to get used to baring so much leg after wearing pants and long skirts before!
Janet Camilleri says
My cocktail dress is from Trade Secret, it’s Caroline Morgan brand π
June Lennie says
Thanks Janet – will check out Trade Secret.
alicia says
I haven’t worn many dresses this season as yet, even my every day dress. I have to put them in my repertoire before the weather gets cool again. I do love your tea dress. I have a long sleeve dress I bought earlier in the year and I just can’t embrace it. I have to buy smarter when it comes to dresses.
Janet Camilleri says
Alicia, I only own one long sleeved dress – in winter I am more of a pants and separates girl π
Renee Wilson says
Oh yeah! I am definitely a fan of the everywhere dress π I love a tea dress for work and I don’t have a little black dress at the moment. I need to get one asap π
Janet Camilleri says
I don’t think I’ve ever owned a little black dress, how wierd is that? Seems I always go for something a bit more exciting!
Denyse says
I so like your confidence and showing us what you can wear Janet. I rarely wear a dress but know that if I do I instantly feel more feminine! Good post! Thank you. Denyse
Janet Camilleri says
Hi Denyse, thanks for your sweet comment. I’m certainly not model material but if I can encourage other women to have fun with fashion no matter what their shape or age, I’m happy!
Lyn aka TheTravellingLindfields says
I am more of a skirt and top person but I take your point about wearing a dress and not having to worry about which top goes with it. I think I might just go shopping for a few dresses.
Janet Camilleri says
Hi Lyn, even 3 years ago I would have been hard-pressed to find more than 2 dresses in my wardrobe, it’s funny how we go through stages. I find dresses suit me really well at this stage of my life, when I am mostly working from home π
Sammy (Bargain Baglady) says
Great post Janet! I probably would include a maxi dress on my list, just because I have gone a bit mad on them lately π hehe. I especially love that cocktail dress on you, it looks fantastic! What brand is that one?
Glad I stopped by – your blog is lovely!
Sammy @ http://Www.bargainbaglady.com {xx}
Janet Camilleri says
Welcome Sammy – I’m so glad I discovered your blog today and look forward to following π . The cocktail dress is a Caroline Morgan brand, I found it at Trade Secret for only $30! (Like you, I love a bargain!)
Sammy (Bargain Baglady) says
Nice! that’s a great score! π