FASHION

How to dress up with that little black dress

It is often said that you can never go wrong with a black dress. The classic little black dress can go a very long way. Every woman should have a little black dress in her wardrobe. It is the ultimate essential piece of clothing a woman would ever own. The little black dress comes in many styles and you can wear it in several different ways.  Depending on the occasion, you can dress it up or down. A little black dress can move you seamlessly from the office to a party - all with the addition or removal of the right accessories and complementary clothing. But in a world where many women are relying on their little black dress (LBD) to beautify their wardrobe and make them look fantastic, it can be hard to stand out among all the other little black dresses. The LBD is timeless, and it is an essential piece in every woman’s closet. It always does look good and you can wear it every day if you want. Spend a reasonable amount on your little black dress. It's one wardrobe item that you're unlikely to give away. Here are some simple ways you can dress up your little black dress so that you stand out from the crowd.

 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, always have these few things in mind:

• For day wear, parties, lunches, and events, wear a fitted black shift dress, with a slashed neckline. Avoid anything that clings to the body and lean towards dresses that skim your body shape. The length should drop just below the knee. This is suitable for the office as well. For office wear, softer fabrics look great in black. And lightweight wool crepe is also a good fabric if wearing a black dress.
• For 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. The length should end on the knee.
• For  casual: A black wrap-around silk jersey, a black linen shirt, and the forgiving stretchy black dress are all suitable for less formal events and home wear.
  

You should wear the dress rather than letting the dress wear you: Black is the ultimate classic colour 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 tones or it can simply make some people feel too sober and dour. But this doesn't mean you should avoid little black dresses. 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). That way, it won't drain the colour from your face, but you can still benefit from the elegance, simplicity, and backdrop of wearing black.

Choose the right shoes. If you have a versatile outfit, like a little black dress, and you decide to wear it to a reception or other formal events, make sure your shoes can dress it up. Avoid casual shoes, like flats with cutesy embellishments; instead opt for more mature shoes, like a black or silver pump. Dressing up the little black dress with shoes is a significant part of the look because the shoes can provide contrasting colour or style to the dress. Shoes 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. Classic evening shoes that go well with a little black dress include ballet slipper flats, single-strap sling back sandals, or pumps. Wear bright coloured shoes, such as red high-heeled pumps, to add a bit of excitement.

Use jewelry to brighten up the little black dress. The little black dress provides a magnificent backdrop for showing off your favorite jewelry pieces. Additions that work well include a necklace that fits the neckline style of the dress, with daring earrings. The list is really endless as far as combinations go.

Add a belt to your 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 colour, texture, or pattern. The only concern is to ensure that it fits well with the dress as a whole; make sure you check the complete look in the mirror.

                                                                               

 Get 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 colour scheme. A small clutch bag is a lovely, discreet look. Try a dazzling or sparkling colour to dress it up for the evening. The handbag should be good quality and clean.

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

 Add hair accessories to the list of dress-ups for the little black dress. A well placed hat can be suitable for special events such as race meetings, weddings, royal events, and very warm days. An astutely placed hair bow, floral item, or simple ribbons can go a long way to making a lovely statement with the little black dress.

Don't Forget Makeup: With a black dress, all your accessories should have a colour theme. The same goes for your makeup. Make sure your nail polish, eye shadow, and lipstick match your wardrobe. As an alternative, just ensure that your makeup highlights the best features of your face and gives life to your entire look.

In all these steps, always remember, it’s a little black dress. If you cover much of the rest of yourself in black the overall look may be gloomy.  There are many benefits to wearing black. For instance, transitioning from day to night is a snap. Black clothing also conceals dirt better. And finally, the less conspicuous nature of black means you can wear it more often than other colours. 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. Famous women who have made the most of the black dress include Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Rene Russo, and Ann Margaret.

                                                                                                                                By Rifkatu Yussuf