How to accessorize a little black dress. What does a little black dress mean to you?
Simplicity? Sexiness? Flirtiness? Is it for date night or for parties? Both?
It’s definitely the dress of a sophisticated woman, whether you’re artistic, professional, or academic.
Why not take a classic, killer look and spruce it up just a little?
Little black dress
With some carefully-planned, simple pieces of jewelry, you can rock the LBD in a way that accentuates it and doesn’t overshadow it.
The first thing we want to point out is that there’s a big difference in jewelry choices for different styles of black dress.
There’s the high-necked LBD, the v- or scoop-neck, and one with sleeves.
The first way we’ll classify the choice of fashion jewelry is by the dress style.
Little black dress with vneck
V-neck
One of the identifying features of the LBD is that it is, the way most people think of it, a bit slinky and low cut.
For a v-neck, you’ll want a longer necklace that elongates your frame, showing the sleekness of the dress’s contours.
Something in the 18-24 inch range, depending on your height, may work best.
Daring show-pieces like lariats or y-necklaces will look dashing with the LBD.
Y Necklace on little black dress
We’d caution against colorful stones though, and certainly not any multi-colored ones.
Keep it simple and use the jewelry to highlight the garment.
As far as bracelets, big silver cuffs can work with the minimal nature of the dress, or you go lighter with a tennis bracelet or bangles.
A little black dress is something to rely on. To fill you with confidence and ease. To have an attitude that is pure and effortless, yet sexy and classy.
Stella McCartney
Accessorize A Little Black Dress: Scoop neck
For the LBD with any sort of oval or curved neckline station necklace or pendant necklace are ideal.
Simple beaded necklaces, whether black or something like white or clear can work. Pearls can be great.
Strapless little black dress
Strapless
For a strapless dress, cut just above the bust, dangle earrings will offset the abrupt top to the dress.
You can afford a large stone in a ring with this dress—you don’t want to look boxy or plain from the straight cut of the top.
High neck little black dress
Accessorize A Little Black Dress: High neck
Just because it’s a little black dress, doesn’t mean it has to have that whimsical, low-cut look.
Some LBD’s do go right up to the top of the collarbone for a unique, sophisticated look.
Fashion jewelry for this look probably won’t include a necklace, but big cuffs or tennis bracelets can work.
Black dress with long sleeves
In the rare event that the dress has long sleeves, go with a large cuff over the sleeve, or another bracelet over the sleeve.
Now that we’ve covered the style of the dress, here’s our next way of classifying your decision.
“One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress.”
― Karl Lagerfeld
Hair Length
The length of the wearer’s hair is also a factor with the LBD, which keeps the area around one’s shoulders and collar bone nice and clear.
If your hair is short and off of those areas, don’t let them look empty or blank.
Instead, go with dangle earrings and a short necklace—under 14 inches or so.
LBD with statement necklace
Colors to Wear with a Little Black Dress
Just wear more Black
Obviously, in some ways, every color goes with black.
However, just because a color doesn’t clash doesn’t mean it sets off the little black dress in the right way.
Black is a particularly good color for the LBD because it doesn’t draw the eye back and forth between dress and the jewelry.
While black gemstones were—strangely—considered a bit “meh” twenty or thirty years ago, they’ve recently become much more popular.
Whether you’re wearing black onyx, tourmaline, diamonds or another black gemstone, you will have perfect harmony.
Dusk to dawn black mini dress
Accessorize A Little Black Dress with Gold Color
When deciding what to wear with the little black dress, gold is a perfect color.
If you’re really wanting to look strong and powerful, and if you can handle some attention, go with some gold earrings with the black dress.
A gold bracelet or handbag are perfect too. In addition, yellow gemstones work very well too.
Woman in black long sleeve dress
Try Silver
Silver jewelry, whether a long necklace or a nice cuff, really brings out something in your black dress.
A black dress can look demure, it can look urbane, it can look downright sexy.
But with silver it will look especially shiny and thus glamorous.
Chic black little dress
Waist Belts
A waist belt can definitely be considered jewelry. They can have gems or precious metals or any kind of gemstone.
While it can be nice to emphasize the simplicity of the LBD, a waist belt can have a slimming effect and accentuate your figure in the best ways.
LBD with statement necklace
Ear Cuffs
Whether you choose gold, silver, or cuffs studded with tiny stones, ear cuffs are great for the little black dress, particularly if it has a scoop neck.
They will draw a bit of attention to your face in just the right way.
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