A little black dress is a wardrobe staple for many women. It’s versatile, timeless and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. However, choosing the right accessories to complement a black dress can seem daunting. The key is finding pieces that enhance the dress without overpowering it. Accessories should work together to create a pulled-together, polished look. With the right jewelry, shoes and handbag, your little black dress will always make a stylish statement.
Consider Your Venue
The first thing to think about when accessorizing a black dress is where you plan on wearing it. Are you attending a formal event like a wedding or gala? Or is it for a night out with friends? Formal occasions call for more luxurious and sparkly accessories that wow. While casual outings require subtle, minimal accents that don’t take over the entire look. If you’re not sure where you’ll be wearing your black dress, choose versatile mid-range pieces you can dress up or down.
Pick Metallic or Sparkly Jewelry
When it comes to jewelry, opt for metallic, shiny or sparkly accents to contrast the solid black color. Pieces like diamond or crystal stud earrings, dainty gold necklaces and stacks of metallic bangles complement a black dress perfectly. You can also choose an eye-catching statement necklace or cuff to take your look up a notch. Just keep the rest of the accessories simple. Some gorgeous jewelry options for a black dress include:
– Diamond stud earrings
– Gold hoops or drops
– Layered gold chains
– Solitaire pendant necklace
– Tennis bracelet
– Crystal cocktail rings
– Rhinestone hair clip
For formal events, don’t be afraid to pull out the gems and choose brilliant jewelry covered in sparkle. A black dress allows you to pile on the diamonds!
Pick the Right Metals
When mixing metals, stick to the same color family for a polished look. Combining yellow gold with rose gold can look mismatched. Instead, choose all silver or all gold jewelry. White metals like silver, platinum and white gold pair best with cool-toned black dresses. Warm gold tones complement black dresses with a brownish tint. Some metal pairings to try:
| Dress Tone | Metal |
|---|---|
| True black | Silver |
| Black with cool undertones | White gold or platinum |
| Black with warm undertones | Yellow or rose gold |
The key is keeping the metals cohesive. Mixing silver and gold can look haphazard and take away from an otherwise polished black dress look.
Don’t Forget the Shoes
An outfit is never complete without the perfect pair of shoes. Black dresses look great with virtually any color footwear because they act as a neutral base. But metallic or sparkly shoes will really make your look shine. Options like:
– Silver or gold strappy heels
– Black pumps with a metallic detail
– Glitter flats
– Sequined booties
– Metallic sandals
Stay away from brown, nude or pastel shoes that can look clunky and casual with a black dress. Stick to metallics, black, deep jewel tones or bright pops of color. Formal occasions call for closed toe heels or strappy sandals in sparkly hues. While a night out can be dressed down with shimmery flats or booties.
Pick a Structured Handbag
A sleek, structured handbag polishes off a black dress outfit. Look for compact styles in a solid color with either a metal or leather finish. Avoid casual looking bags like hobos, totes or crossbody styles. Some chic handbag options include:
– Structured black leather clutch
– Patent leather envelope clutch
– Metallic box clutch
– Embellished metal minaudiere
– Black leather shoulder bag
– Small flap handbag
Look for bags with interesting hardware details, like metal chain straps, studs or jewel embellishments. Go for metallics or black, but avoid loud colors or prints that can clash. The shape and size of your handbag also depends on the occasion. A sparkly minaudiere is perfect for formal events, while a compact shoulder bag works for nights out.
Add the Finishing Touches
Finish off your black dress look with styling touches like:
– A belt – cinch in the waist of a loose fitting dress
– Hair accessories – slide in a sparkly hair clip or tie on a sleek bow
– A pop of color nail polish
– Sheer black tights – for warmth and smoothing
– A pashmina or shawl – choose metallic or jewel toned colors
– Cuff bracelets – stack multiple metallic bangles
Small extras make sure you look pulled together from head to toe. Use embellishments like belts, jewelry, hair clips and nail polish to add pops of shine and color.
Daytime vs Nighttime Styling
Accessorizing a black dress for daytime requires more subtle accents so you don’t look overdone. Save the sparkly jewelry and clutch bags for nighttime. Daytime options include:
| Daytime Accessories | Nighttime Accessories |
|---|---|
| – Stud earrings | – Chandelier earrings |
| – Thin metallic necklace | – Statement necklace |
| – Leather watch | – Cocktail rings |
| – Nude heels | – Metallic stilettos |
| – Leather shoulder bag | – Embellished minaudiere |
Aim for a subtle, polished look with metallics and minimal shine for day. Then amp it up with sparkle, glitter and bold colors at night. The accessories you choose can take your black dress from a business lunch to cocktail hour seamlessly.
Dress Up a Casual Black Dress
If your black dress has a casual, daytime vibe, use accessories to dress it up. Options like:
– A cropped blazer – for a polished touch
– Tall black boots – leather or suede finish
– A colorful scarf – wrapped around the neck
– Hoop earrings – go for substantial, statement sizes
– Stacked bracelets – armfuls of bangles
– Oversized sunglasses – for mystery and glamour
Stable pieces like blazers, boots and jewelry make a simple black dress look dressy and pulled together. A casual day dress can transition straight to dinner and drinks with the right accessories.
Conclusion
Accessorizing a black dress comes down to balancing textures, colors and shine. Keep silhouettes structured and sleek for formal events or casual days. Use sparkle strategically with jewelry and shoes. Then pull colors together with metallics like silver, gold and rose gold. Daytime calls for subtle polished accents, while nights out require bold shiny details. With the tips above, you can easily take a black dress from day to night anywhere you go. The key is picking accessories that enhance your look while staying true to your personal style.
