Friday, 7 January 2011

How to Dress Up That Little Black Dress

How to Dress Up That Little Black Dress

A style essential introduced by Coco Chanel in
the 1920s,[1] [1] the classic little black dress
can go a very long way. With the right
accessories, it can move you seamlessly from the
office to a party, all with the addition or
removal of accessories, jackets, and other
features. Yet, in a world where many women are
relying on their little black dress to beautify
their wardrobe and make them look fantastic, it
can be hard to stand out among all the other
little black dresses, so here are some
suggestions for dressing up your little black
dress so that you stand out from the crowd.

!! Steps !!

Start with the right little black dress. Not all little black dresses
are equal; some have more style and suitability than others. When
choosing a little black dress, keep the following things in mind:

* _ Daywear for parties, lunches, and events:
Wear a fitted black shift dress, with a slashed neckline. Avoid
anything that clings to the body and prefer a dress that skims
your body contours [2]. The length should drop just below the
knee. This is suitable for the office as well.[2] [3] For office
wear, softer fabrics look great in black.[3] [4] And lightweight
wool crepe is a good summer fabric if wearing a black dress.[4]
[5]

* Evening wear, incredible dates, and amazing
events: This dress can be slinkier and yet should remain well
shaped. Look for a ruched black dress with straps, close-fitting
but in fabric that conceals all, and with a heart-shaped bodice
[6]. The length should end on the knee. [5] [7]

* Casual: A black wrap-around silk jersey, a
black linen [8] shirt, and the forgiving black stretchy black
dress are all suitable for less formal events and home wear.[6]
[9]

* Spend a reasonable amount on your little black dress. It's one
wardrobe item that you're unlikely to give away.[7] [10]

Wear the dress rather than letting the dress
wear you. Black is the ultimate classic color
and the easiest to work with, and if you can
wear it well, you can't go wrong. However,
black doesn't suit everyone. For example, it
can drain pale skin [11] tones or it can simply
make some people feel too somber and dour.[8]
[12] Nevertheless, this doesn't mean you can't
wear a little black dress.

* If you find black draining, keep it away from the face as much
as possible.If black doesn\'t suit you, be sure to keep the dress
as far from your face as possible (such as using a plunging or
deeply rounded neckline and straps instead of sleeves).[9] [13]
That way, it won't drain the color from your face but you can
still benefit from the elegance, simplicity, and backdrop of
wearing black.

Gray pantyhose work with well with a black dressAdd pantyhose.
Pantyhose [14] even out your skin tone on your legs and provide
the finishing touch to the look. For evening wear, sheer black
or gray tinted pantyhose are an excellent choice. Colored tights
could also work with a black dress provided the color matches
with other accessories and is right for your age and skin tone.

* For winter wear, remember that legs tend to look longer when the
shoes and tights color match.[10] [15]

Choose the right shoes. Dressing up the little
black dress with shoes is a significant part
of the look because the shoes can provide
contrasting color or style to the dress. Shoes
[16] worn with the little black dress should
be of very good to excellent quality because
they are a feature piece and people's eyes
will be drawn to them with your black dress
backdrop.

* Try plain black and unadorned flats for a casual look suitable for
the office or an informal event. Chanel style slingbacks are also
good additions for daywear.

* Classic evening shoes that go well with a
little black dress include ballet slipper flats [17], single-strap
slingback sandals, or pumps.

* Wear a bright color, such as red high-heeled pumps, to add a bit
of excitement.

Use jewelry [18] to brighten up the little
black dress. The little black dress provides a
magnificent backdrop for showing off your
favorite jewelry [19] pieces. Additions that
work well include a necklace that fits the
neckline style of the dress, a brooch pinned
in a cute spot, or an updo with daring
earrings. The list is really endless as far as
combos go!

* A little_ bit of sparkle with costume jewelry [20] can go a long
way and is perfect for evening wear.

* If you're in the possession of diamond [21] necklaces, brooches,
and other jewelry pieces, use the black backdrop to let the
diamonds shine their best.

* Wear pearls [22]. If it's a shift style dress, pearls with white
satin gloves and round-toed pumps make for an adorable look, à la
romantic Audrey Hepburn. Don't wear pointed pumps though, as these
are too fierce for such a soft and retro look.

* Add a belt to the black dress. Provided the
style of the dress can handle the addition of a belt, it can
provide a very emphatic contrasting feature on your little black
dress. Select a belt for color [23], texture, glamor, or pattern.
The only concern is to ensure that it fits well with the dress as
a whole – check the complete look in the mirror.
Add a scarf [24]. If you like wearing scarves,
this can make a lovely addition to a black
dress. Select a print or pattern that matches
with the other additions to the dress and
ensure that the scarf is of high quality, such
as a silk scarf.

* A silk wrap can make an elegant addition to a plain black dress.
Try a very simple pair of black pumps, preferably rounded and a
pair of chandelier earring with a Dupioni silk wrap. The
chandelier earrings and Dupioni silk wraps [25] look great when
matching and a warm color.

* If you don't mind wearing gloves [26], they
can really dress up the little black dress. White gloves for the
daytime and black gloves for the evening can work wonders.
Select a suitable bag. Again, the bag is going
to get noticed because the black serves as a
backdrop to anything you're holding, so make
sure the bag is treated as part of the overall
fashion look. The bag doesn't have to match the
shoes or other accessories but it should blend
well with the color scheme.

* A small clutch bag is a lovely, discreet look. Try a dazzling or
sparkling color to dress it up for the evening.

* A handbag [27] should be good quality and clean.

* A larger bag can work for casual wear, provided it's in excellent,
clean condition.

* Match your makeup [28]. Match the nail
polish, eye shadow, and lipstick to the main color theme arising
from your accessories, shoes, and pantyhose. Or, just ensure that
your makeup highlights the best features of your face and gives
life to your entire look.
Add headwear and hair accessories [29] to the
list of possible dress-ups for the little
black dress. A well placed hat [30] can be
suitable for special events such as race
meetings, royal events, and very warm days.

An astutely placed hair bow, floral item, bejeweled hair piece, or
simple ribbons can go a long way to making a lovely statement with
the little black dress.

!! Video !!

!! Tips !!

* Always keep your little black dress clean and ironed. Dry cleaning
is a smart option.

* 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.

* The benefits of black include its ability to move from day to
night, its ease of matching with everything, its ability to
conceal dirt, and the less conspicuous nature of black means that
you wear it more often than other colors.[11] [31] In addition, it
can look expensive even when the dress or other item isn't, it
looks slimming, hides tailoring imperfections, and it tends to
always be available on store racks.[12] [32]

* Change into a different pair of shoes to change the look.

* Wear the little black dress with tights in autumn/fall and winter
for warmth or even a bit of color.

* For a casual look, put your dress under a tight black skirt,
teamed with ankle boots and tights, and perhaps a leather jacket.

* Famous women who have made the most of the black dress include
Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Rene Russo, and
Ann Margaret.[13] [33] Do an online search for images of actresses
and other famous women in black dresses to find out which styles
you'd like to emulate with your own black dress.

!! Warnings !!

* Don't over accessorize; all of the above ideas should be plenty
for any outfit.

* The fit of the dress is everything since it is so plain...
imperfections will stick out more if the dress is too tight or too
loose, so take caution and only buy and wear things that will fit
you.

* Don't wear heels that are too high if you're attending a standing
event; you'll pay for such a choice with very sore legs and be
tempted to slouch.

!! Things You\'ll Need !!

* Little black dress

* Accessories

* Handbag

* Shoes

* Pantyhose, tights

!! Related WikiHows !!

* How to Afford Clothes and Accessories by Top Designers [34]

* How to Attract Attention [35]

* How to Be Stylish Without Spending a Lot of Money [36]

* How to Buy Accessories for an Outfit [37]

* How to Dress for a Social Event [38]

* How to Make Gold Accessories Last Longer [39]

* How to Tie a Silk Scarf [40]

!! Sources And Citations !!

!! Article Tools !!

* Read on wikiHow

*

Links:
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[1] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-0
[2] http://www.wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Appearance-With-Body-Contouring
[3] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-1
[4] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-2
[5] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-3
[6] http://www.wikihow.com/Sew-a-Bodice
[7] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-4
[8] http://www.wikihow.com/Test-if-Fabric-Is-Linen
[9] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-5
[10] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-6
[11] http://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Pale-Skin
[12] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-7
[13] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Cindy-in-black.jpg
[14] http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Little-Black-Dress---ck-Calvin-Klein.jpg
[15] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-9
[16] http://www.wikihow.com/Stretch-New-Shoes
[17] http://www.wikihow.com/Pick-the-Casual-Ballet-Flat-for-You
[18] http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-Jewelry
[19] http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Personal-Accessories-and-Jewelry
[20] http://www.wikihow.com/Shop-for-Costume-Jewelry
[21] http://www.wikihow.com/Choose-a-Diamond
[22] http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Pearls
[23] http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Accessories-for-an-Outfit
[24] http://www.wikihow.com/Tie-a-Silk-Scarf
[25] http://www.wikihow.com/Dye-Silk-in-a-Microwave
[26] http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pair-of-Gloves
[27] http://www.wikihow.com/Become-a-Handbag-Designer
[28] http://www.wikihow.com/Apply-Makeup
[29] http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Your-Own-Gorgeous-Hair-Accessories
[30] http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Hats
[31] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-10
[32] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-11
[33] http://bemoreconfident.info/#_note-12
[34] http://www.wikihow.com/Afford-Clothes-and-Accessories-by-Top-Designers
[35] http://www.wikihow.com/Attract-Attention
[36] http://www.wikihow.com/Be-Stylish-Without-Spending-a-Lot-of-Money
[37] http://www.wikihow.com/Buy-Accessories-for-an-Outfit
[38] http://www.wikihow.com/Dress-for-a-Social-Event
[39] http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Gold-Accessories-Last-Longer
[40] http://www.wikihow.com/Tie-a-Silk-Scarf

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