A Chic Black Dress Perfect for Summer…And How to Style it for Fall

Perfect Black Dress for Women Over 40

Can you wear a black dress in the summer on a hot day?? That is a very common question in style land, and the answer is… a resounding, YES!

While it may not be the first thing you think of for summer, a black dress can still work beautifully during the warmer months! They are especially helpful if you are traveling as they won’t stain and they keep you looking sleek, modern and sophisticated.

And, I’m excited to share that I found the perfect LBD. It checks so many boxes: 1) It has sleeves, 2) It is wrinkle-resistant, 3) Highlights the waist, 4) Is lightweight and 5) (drumroll)… It is affordable! Keep scrolling to see this chic mini dress and how I styled it.

Black Dress…With Sleeves!

Do you remember the black BB Dakota dress from last year’s Nordstrom Anniversary Sale that looked very similar to the one pictured above? It was a best seller and I, personally, wore that short shift all over Europe. Well, this year… it’s baaaack with a few, really chic upgrades, including a more defined, cinched waist and button detailing. The material is the same, great, lightweight, breathable material from last year, though. Another highlight…sleeves. It has sleeves. It’s not easy to find a lightweight summer dress with sleeves and without questions that is one of the biggest concerns women over 40 share with me here on the blog, on YouTube, and on Instagram.  You want arm coverage, but you don’t want to be sweltering hot. Problem solved! This dress runs a little small so you could size up one size if you like more room and length. This dress is on the shorter side. Remember, I’m 5’4″ for reference.

Uh oh, we buried the lead, which is the price. The dress is only $56 during the NSale!

BTW, I took these pictures in an Airbnb in Malibu, California. I don’t drink alcohol, but if I did, I would love one of those cool wine rack walls!

For more info about the sale and all of my favorites, check out this post. Plus, over 20 fully-styled NSale outfits here. If you’re looking for more pieces that cover your arms for the summer, make sure you check out this post.

DRESS | HEELS | LAYERED NECKLACE | SHORTER NECKLACE

How To Style A Black Dress for Summer

So, now, let’s talk about styling your LBD for summer. It’s really very simple. All you need to do is throw on a cute pair of sandals or heels, a necklace… and you’re ready to go! In this look, I’m wearing a pair of Marc Fisher ankle-tie sandals that are SO chic and comfortable. Strappy heels are a big trend this summer and these are the perfect neutral option for all of your summer outfits…from dresses and skirts to jeans and tees. The mesh strap is also on-trend and keeps your feet cool. You could wear this look to date night or dinner but for something more casual, swap the heels for a pair of block heel sandals or flat sandals.
I also want to point out the two necklaces that I am wearing. The first is a pre-layered, 3-strand pendant necklace by Kendra Scott. Really a ‘done-for-you’ piece that is great for everyday wear. I added the second, collar-bone length, chunky, chain necklace and LOVE the way the two look together!

Now… how can we transition this piece into fall?? Keep scrolling to find out!

DRESS | BOOTIES | LAYERED NECKLACE | SHORTER NECKLACE | EARRINGS | SUNGLASSES | SIMILAR | BAG | BELT

How To Style A Black Dress for Fall

For fall, I swapped the summery heels for a pair of sleek black Vince booties. The low block heel (2.5”) makes them super easy to walk in. And I love the on-trend square toe! These boots run a tiny bit narrow on me so I sized up half a size. By the way, I know that many of you don’t love a square toe as much as I do. If that’s the case and you prefer a rounded toe, go for these booties by Steve Madden. They’re almost the exact same pair as the ones from last year that you may remember me wearing all over Europe! Those are a great basic with some edge and a lower price point too!
To add a little extra pop and cinch the waist even more, I decided to add a black Nordstrom belt. I love this belt with the dress but it’s also a great basic if you don’t already have a classic black belt to wear with jeans. I’m wearing the same gorgeous gold jewelry by Kendra Scott and added a chic green bag by AllSaints. This beautiful green neutral color is way more versatile than you think!

Which look is your favorite…#1 Summer?? or #2 Fall? Let us know in the comments! Don’t forget the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is open to EVERYONE now and ends in less than a week (prices go back up on 8/1)! Find everything you need to know about the sale here.

Huge thank you to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter to receive some incredible style resources. Thanks for stopping by!