Why I Keep Reaching For Black

Apparently, I Didn't Need Another Black Dress

I probably don't need to explain my relationship with black clothing.

If something comes in black, there is a very good chance I'll find a reason why I need it. Is it practical? Is it versatile? Will I actually wear it? These are all very reasonable questions that I have learned to conveniently ignore when the answer is simply, but it's black!

So when the Mott & Bow Rib Tank Dress came along, my first thought was basically, okay, another black dress.

And then I started thinking about all the ways I'd actually style it.

See the Dress

The Kind of Dress That Doesn't Need Much Help

What I like about a simple black dress is that it gives you somewhere to start without telling you exactly where to end up.

The Rib Tank Dress has a fitted, full-length silhouette with a simple sleeveless design. There isn't a lot going on, and honestly, that's part of the appeal.

You don't have to build the entire outfit around it.

A pair of sandals, a few pieces of jewelry and a bag can keep it very casual. Swap those out for something a little dressier and suddenly the same dress feels completely different.

And I think that's what makes a basic like this worth having. Not because it's exciting on its own, but because you can make it whatever you want it to be.

The dress is made from a cotton and spandex rib fabric, so it has some stretch while still keeping that structured, fitted look. The ribbed texture also gives the black fabric a little more dimension instead of making it look like one completely flat block of black.

Shop Mott & Bow

I Wanted to See How Many Ways I Could Style It

This was probably my favorite part.

The easiest way to wear it is also the one that requires the least effort. Keep everything else simple and let the dress do the work.

For a daytime look, I'd keep it relaxed with flat sandals, minimal jewelry and an everyday bag. Nothing too coordinated. Just one of those outfits where you look put together without looking like you spent an hour trying to look put together.

For something a little more polished, I'd add a structured bag, switch to heels or a nicer pair of sandals and keep the jewelry simple.

And for cooler weather, a lightweight jacket or oversized layer would completely change the feel of it.

Same dress. Different mood.

Which is exactly what I want from something I’m adding to my wardrobe.

Buy Here

And Then There Was the Unplanned Mirror Selfie

Of course, no outfit review is complete without the completely unplanned mirror selfie.

You know the one.

You weren't trying to take outfit pictures. You just happened to walk past a mirror, decided the outfit looked good, and suddenly you're standing there taking approximately seventeen photos from the exact same angle.

Very normal behavior.

But honestly, the mirror shot ended up being one of my favorites because it shows the dress in a much more everyday setting. No carefully planned outdoor backdrop, no trying to create a whole fashion campaign. Just the dress, the mirror and apparently the inability to walk past a good outfit without taking a picture.

And that's actually where the dress makes the most sense to me.

It doesn't need a special occasion to work.

This One's a Good One

The Fit Has That Clean, Feminine Shape

The fitted silhouette gives the dress a more polished look than a loose tank dress would have.

The neckline is simple, the shoulders are left open, and the length keeps the overall look sleek. There's also a side slit that breaks up the long silhouette and gives the dress a little more movement.

I especially like that detail because without it, a fitted full-length dress can sometimes look a little too straight from top to bottom.

Here, the slit keeps things from feeling overly formal while still keeping the overall look simple.

The black color helps too. It's one of those rare things that can look casual with sneakers and completely different with heels.

Make It Yours

It's Simple, But Not Boring

I think there's a difference between a basic piece and a boring piece.

A boring piece just sits in your wardrobe.

A good basic keeps finding excuses to come back out.

That's what I see happening with this dress. The design is simple enough that you're not going to feel like you're repeating the exact same outfit every time you wear it. You can change the shoes, jewelry, bag or outer layer and it starts feeling different again.

And honestly, those are the pieces I end up appreciating most.

Not necessarily the dramatic ones that look amazing for one very specific occasion, but the ones that make me think, okay, this actually works with my life.

Take a Closer Look

So... Maybe I Did Need Another Black Dress

So, maybe I did need another black dress after all.

What started as a very questionable addition to an already questionable collection of black clothes actually turned out to be one of those pieces that makes getting dressed easier.

It's simple enough for everyday wear, but there are enough little details to make it feel like more than just another basic. And the fact that I can change the whole look just by switching the shoes or accessories definitely doesn't hurt.

Basically, I'm not saying I need to stop buying black dresses anytime soon. I'm just saying this one has given me a pretty good excuse to keep going.