Pretty in the City

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Black Dress

How To Dress Up That Little Black Dress

The black dress

The simple and classy black dress has seen weddings, funerals, cocktail parties, and birthday blowouts. However, a plain black dress can get a little dull with frequent use, and accessories become a necessity at some point. Fortunately, as black goes with nearly everything, it is not terribly difficult to dress up a black dress

 

The beauty about the little black dress is that you can create many different looks with it. A black dress is a must in every womans’ wardrobe. From a night out to a business meeting, the black dress can bring you to both, home again – and to the next event with ease. There are so many things that you can do to dress it up, dress it down and make it appropriate for any situation.

 

Always keep it clean and ironed. A lint brush is your best friend. If you don’t have one, buy one or try to keep your dress really clean and free from pet hair or lint.

 

Decide on one accent coloured piece and revolve the rest of your outfit around it.

Jewellery

Large earrings or a necklace that are eye-catching is a great way to dress up your little black dress. It is important to remember that if wearing large earrings, than the necklace should be subtle, or if wearing a large necklace than the earrings should be kept simple.

 

For the evening look add sparkle with costume jewellery. Consider slipping on jewelled bangles and silver heels.

 

If you want to wear the black dress for a ball, you might want to add a pearl necklace or maybe some diamonds. If you’re going to wear a pearl necklace, try wearing multiple strands at different lengths.

 

A simple pair of pearls, detailed tights, and a few inches of heel can dress up any outfit.

 

A wonderful brooch pinned to the top of the dress can make a difference in the outfit. You can wear the brooch on your hip, at the classical spot at the top of your chest, on the front of the dress right below your shoulder or how about on a low cut wrap dress right at the point where the fabric meets together by the cleavage. It keeps the fabric in place and keeps it from shifting. Gold, silver, or coloured: the brooch can match the shoes, jewellery or make a statement all of its own. A brooch adds a beautiful touch to the dress, especially if it is an interesting antique or vintage brooch.

 

 

Wear a necklace of round beads for a trendy look. Pick your colour and loop it around twice.

 

If you want your look to be casual and fun, try wearing tight-fitting neon-coloured tights under your dress. Then add bright chunky jewellery. Or layer bracelets, necklaces, and rings for a casual look.

 

Tights

Add bright coloured tights to a plain black dress. The tights will add a punch of colour – you can find tights in every colour of the rainbow and since the dress is black, you have your pick of all of them.

 

Put on flesh coloured tights to even out the skin tone on your legs, and add a pair of cute shoes. Plain black and unadorned flats look more office casual while a pair of red high-heeled pumps can add a bit of excitement.

 

Wear the dress with tights in autumn/the fall and winter for warmth  and to add colour.

 

Wear the coloured tights, with matching nail polish, hair accessories and/or jewellery to dress up any style of black dress.

Shoes

Change into a different pair of shoes to change the look. Shoes can make a dress look completely different, whether you choose flats or stilettos, the higher the shoes the higher the effect of the dress-up factor will be.

 

Wear a simple rounded pair of black pumps and a pair of chandelier earring with a silk wrap. The chandelier earrings and silk wraps look great when matching and if in a warm colour.

 

Add a pair of cute shoes. The colours can easily be altered, depending on the look you are going for. Plain black and unadorned flats look more office casual while a pair of red high-heeled pumps can add a bit of excitement.

 

To add some spice to an outfit, go for shoes that are metallic or brightly coloured. For very formal occasions, metallics are a nice dressy option.

 

Since the dress is plain and black, go with shoes that have visual interest, contrast, or elaborate detailing. Black shoes are pretty predictable, so consider shoes in any other colour than black – they add a nice contrast.

 

Bags

Add a small clutch or handbag. A larger bag works for casual wear while a simple clutch in a dazzling colour works for dressing up for more formal events.

 

Pair your dress with a sequined handbag and strappy shoes for a night out.

 

If you go with shoes in a contrasting colour other than black, try choosing a purse that picks up the colour of the shoes. Doesn’t have to be exact, but at least harmonizes in some way.

 

Belts

A belt at the waist creates great emphasis and interest to a plain black dress.

The belt cinched around the waist, or worn loosely around the hips can change the look of the dress completely. The belt can also change the entire shape of the dress.

You can also place the belt a few inches underneath your breasts. A belt gives the illusion of a bigger bust, and it also gives the illusion of a different shape to your body.

 

Instead of having only the option of using a regular belt, a silk or velvet ribbon will work well also in place of the regular belt.

 

Inspiration can be found in the ribbon aisle at the local craft shop. From wide ribbon to thin ribbon, to pattern to solid, a ribbon belt is a great way to dress up any black dress.

 

Consider a coloured belt and make it match with those perfectly coloured shoes.

 

Scarfs

Scarves are a favourite way to spice up a plain black dress. A lightweight scarf can be used during any season to accent an outfit. There are dozens of ways to tie a scarf, and most scarves can be worn on the head, around the neck, across the shoulders, and around the waist

 

A beautiful sheer shawl will look fabulous if you are wearing a spaghetti strap or strapless dress. Not only does it spice up an otherwise plain dress, but it also will keep you a bit warmer if the weather is chilly.

 

Pairing the dress with a coloured pashmina is a perfect way to dress it up. This works best with dresses that are cut straight across the chest, or are strapless. A pashmina of any colour can work, even in the summer, as it can be draped loosely over the shoulders for those summer evenings on the patio.

 

Add a nice scarf in a fun colour and make it match with those coloured shoes and bracelets.

 

Coats

Create a serious look with the black dress by teaming it up with a suit jacket and a structured bag.

 

Throw on a zebra-print coat paired with a red handbag and sexy leather boots for a wild night out.

 

 

 

About the Author

Visit Lady2b.com for a wide range of costume jewellery and hair accessories.

Chris Young – Getting you home


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