Re: how to accessorize a plain black dress?


felicity wrote:
> hey guys I will be going to a semi formal outing. I have this plain
> black dress. I wanted to know what I should wear with it? will any
> kind of gem stone go or do you think there should be more color in my
> dress for me to do that? anyway, if anyone has any ideas let me
> know...FAST! Thanks!

LBD's are great because you can dress them up or down, for casual,
business, or formal, just by adding the right type of accessories.

For a semi-formal occasion:

SHOES: choose shoes with at least a bit of a heel. According to the
Lucky Shopping Manual, do *not* wear the dress with pumps (too "wedding
party"). Instead, go with something that shows a little skin on the
feet, like something strappy or classic slingbacks. Since the dress is
plain and black, go with shoes that have visual interest, contrast, or
something that goes pop!, such as detailing. Black shoes are pretty
predictable, so consider shoes in any other color than black - they add
a nice contrast. For very formal occasions, metallics are a nice dressy
option. For less formal, try red strappy heels.

PURSE: if you go with shoes in a contrasting color other than black,
try choosing a purse that picks up the color of the shoes. Doesn't have
to be matchy-matchy, but at least harmonizes in some way. Such as a
purse with an interesting embroidery pattern that picks up a color in
the shoes. Or a purse with a chain or other metallic detailing to
coordinate with metallic shoes. Or if your shoes have embroidered or
jeweled detailing, go with a more simple, solid color purse. For
formal, clutches are nice.

JEWELRY: Personally for me it would depend on the neckline of the LBD,
and how you plan to wear your hair. For example, if I was going to wear
my hair up, I'd go with a pair of fabulous chandeliers and skip the
necklace. If I was wearing my hair down, I'd go with simpler earrings
(perhaps diamond studs) and might layer on some necklaces. I like the
layered necklace look with my LBD that has a scoop neck. Chandelier
earrings with no necklace looks right to me with a higher, ballet
neckline.

Consider whether you will need something to cover up your arms. Will it
be chilly where you are going? A pashmina or other scarf is nice as a
wrap. I also like the look of a shrug with my LBD.

Recent LBD outfits I've put together this summer, for an evening out,
include:

1) Soft pink mule heels with crystal bead detailing; chandelier
earrings in bronze with pink gemstones; really unique, hard to describe
purse that has square pink shells all over it.

2) For a less formal night out to the theater recently: White strappy
kitten heel sandals; white canvas and brown leather handbag; was going
to wear this with white double strand pearls, but at last moment,
looked way too matchy-matchy to me, so I instead went with a necklace
that mimicked the scoop neck on the dress and includes multiple strands
of crystals in gold, orange, white and green. Sounds like it wouldn't
match, but somehow, it looked right to my eyes! For earrings I wore
small delicate gold hoops that have three tiny crystals on each hoop.

3) One night I decided I wanted to coordinate an outfit that included
the LBD and this one fabulous purse I have, which is made out of silk
in a flamboyant turquoise, green and gold pattern and has a handle made
out of twisted cast silver. So I chose strappy black heels, a pair of
silver and black "mini" chandeliers, and a simple silver bracelet.

Anyway, you get the idea. My usual M.O. is to start by picking just one
fabulous statement accessory, such as a purse or piece of jewelry or
pair of fantastic shoes, then pull the rest of the outfit to go with
that and the LBD together. So for example if like my outfit #3, you
have a fabulous statement purse, then you might go with more
understated shoes. Or if you have fabulous shoes, then maybe you get
fabulous earrings to go with it, and play down the purse with something
simple. Etc.

jen

.

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