How to Accessorize a Little Black Dress
Versatile, flattering and timelessly elegant, the little black dress is the ultimate must have item in every woman’s wardrobe. From classy curve-creating halter necks to the stunning flared hemline, there is an ‘LBD’ out there to suit every figure. Established by Coco Chanel in the 1920s, the little black dress has gone from strength to strength and today every designer worth his salt, from top catwalk names to budget High Street brands, has a wide range to choose from.
The beauty of the LBD lies largely in its flexibility: whether you’re heading to the office or the dancefloor, you can count on your LBD to provide the perfect outfit for every occasion.
Important Meeting
It’s the morning of the big presentation, if you can win over this client and make the sale you know that promotion will finally be within your reach. You’ve spent the last few weeks thinking of nothing else – you’ve run over the slides a million times and prepared answers for every question they might throw at you; but one thing you haven’t planned is what to wear.
Step up the little black dress. For a powerful boardroom look, a neat notched-collar blazer with single button closed will accentuate your waist while retaining a professional appearance. Try Guess or Donna Karan for a great designer treat, or for a blazer that won’t break the bank, Topshop has a great range of fashionable yet sophisticated jackets.
Keeping with the simple but classic theme, this look can be tastefully finished with delicate silver jewellery. Choose a pair of small stud earrings, a minimalist silver pendant and a slim silver bracelet to complete your transformation to stylish and successful executive.
Girls’ Night Out
So you did, you made the big pitch and you got the sale. Your bosses are delighted, and your colleagues a little envious, but after all that hard work all you really want to do is get out of the office and celebrate with the girls. Well lucky you chose the little black dress; a few simple alterations can take you from the board room to the wine bar in minutes.
Firstly, the aim is to let your hair down so why not literally do just that? For shoulder length to long hair, unpinning your locks and letting them fall freely about your face gives a lovely warm and natural look to accentuate your features. Now for the jewellery; put the simple silver aside and slip on some chunky, funky beads and matching bracelet. Go for a bright colour, such as turquoise or purple, to add a fun and playful twist and finish off with a bright clutch bag to finish the look.
Black Tie Ball
A few months down the line and your well-deserved promotion has taken effect. An invite to the company’s annual black tie dinner appears on your desk and your first thought is, « what will I wear? » Well fear not, once again you can count on an LBD to guarantee you’ll cut a glamorous and striking figure on the ballroom floor.
For a formal function a strapless dress is always a great choice and accessorizing with real or faux pearls will provide the elegant finishing touches to ensure you stand out from the crowd. A simple string of pearls will draw admiring attention to your shoulders and can be stylishly complemented by a pair of matching drop effect earrings and pearl bracelet. Your make-up essentials can be slipped into a small satin purse and this stunning ensemble glamorously completed with a pair of black strappy sandals. Be sure to wear these in before the event so you can comfortably dance the night away.
Christmas Party
The party season comes around quicker each year but once again an LBD is perfect for creating a timeless festive look. At this time of year it’s all about making the most of the long nights and brightening things up with a bit of sparkle. A fun, floaty dress is perfect for getting into the party spirit. Accessorize with warm golden tones and dramatic eye make-up to be sure of a kiss under the mistletoe.
For a bit of glitzy glamour, a pair of golden strappy sandals and matching handbag works wonders. Jewellery should be fun and festive; at this time of year you can afford to be a little more flamboyant. Experiment with costume jewellery or, if you’re feeling brave, try a feather boa for that extra playful detail.
Golden Rules
A final word on accessorizing: keep in mind that ‘less is more’. Think of your LBD as a canvas on which to create the perfect picture of you. Accessories such as shoes, jewellery and handbags can subtly draw attention to your best features allowing you to create a masterpiece.
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