I remember discussing the issue of needing a little black dress with my old friend Maggie the summer after we graduated high school. “You have to have one,” she’d told me, “it’s a staple in every college girl’s wardrobe!” So off I went to Target (because that was the only place I shopped for clothes in high school) in search of the elusive LBD. The dress I bought that day carried me through dates, formals and banquets during my time at Radford, and incidentally, it’s the same dress I was wearing when Matt proposed!

I’ve since retired that particular dress in exchange for a newer one, and it’s my go-to when I don’t know what else to wear. My little black dress is appropriate for pretty much anything- I wore it to my bridal shower, two years’ worth of Christmas Eve services (at different churches, so no one knew :)), date nights with Matt, our session with Justin & Mary, etc. It’s my favorite thing in my closet because it’s flattering without being too form-fitting, and it goes with pretty much anything- pearls (my favorite), a chunky necklace, heels, flats, a blazer, a cardigan, everything. I always feel good when I wear it, so if nothing else in my closet feels right on a particular day, I know my LBD will do the job.

Last week, I was lucky enough to snag Rebekah to shoot my new business portraits to go along with a few tweaks we’re making to my website. We had a Skype date the day before so I could show her my various outfit ideas, and we both agreed that the black dress with pearls was a keeper. And sure enough, the majority of my favorite images from last week were in this dress. That Rebekah, she’s so smart!

(All photos by Rebekah Hoyt Photography)

What about you? Ladies, do you love your little black dress as much as I love mine?