Any woman will agree – the best part about going to a formal event is choosing a fancy ensemble to deck yourself out in for the occasion. But it can also be anxiety-inducing, especially when choosing the right accessories to pair with your look.
An evening dress is like a half-done piece of art calling for you to add the perfect finishing touches. There are endless options for glamming up an evening dress, and while there are no hard and fast rules in fashion, there are some guidelines you should follow to ensure that you turn out resembling a masterpiece.
While the goal of creating any evening wear look is to showcase elegance and grace, every special occasion ensemble should be infused with a touch of your unique personality and style. This guide will highlight different accessories to consider for your next evening wear look and help you choose the ones that flatter your dress the best.
Types of Accessories and How to Pick
From jewelry and hairpieces to handbags and shoes, accessories can help make or break any outfit. An evening dress requires the most attention to detail. Accessorizing an evening dress to perfection is a challenge.
To ensure that you compliment your dress without overwhelming it, you must understand the ideal type and number of accessories to choose based on various details, such as the cut, color, and style of your dress. Read on for some simple style tips to help you learn the best ways to accessorize your evening dress.
Jewelry
When it comes to choosing jewelry to wear with your evening dress, keep it simple. Focus on one statement piece and add a few stylish, classy adornments to compliment it.
For necklaces, let the neckline of the dress be your guide. While a sleeveless gown or a dress with a sweetheart neckline pairs well with shorter, bolder necklaces, a low V-neck always looks its best with a sophisticated pendant necklace.
If your dress is a one-shoulder style, avoid wearing a necklace and focus on an eye-catching pair of chandelier earrings, a big, bold, shimmering ring, a cuff bracelet, or a stack of bracelets as your show-stopping piece.
One of the best general jewelry tips is to pay attention to the metals in your ensemble. Ensure that the color and material of your jewelry match any metals on your dress and that you choose one for all jewelry pieces. For example, don’t wear a silver ring with gold bracelets or a gold necklace when your dress has a silver belt buckle.
Bags
While bags are a functional accessory, they’re also a critical component of your overall look. It’s essential to consider proportions when choosing a bag. While it should always be large enough to hold essential items like your phone, lipstick, ID, and credit cards, it shouldn’t be so large that it overwhelms your dress and, in some cases, you.
One of the best general tips for choosing a bag to pair with your evening dress is to ensure it matches at least one of your other accessories. For example, if you’re wearing a bold pair of bright yellow pumps, try to find a clutch in the same hue. If you’re wearing a pair of gold hoop earrings, carry a gold sequined purse with a gold shoulder strap.
Belts
Belts are a tricky accessory to pair with an evening dress, but in some cases, they make the perfect finishing touch. If your dress has a fit-and-flare design or you have a two-piece ensemble, try adding an accent belt.
In this case, opposites attract, so if you’re wearing a bold print, choose a simple belt with no adornments. On the other hand, if you’re wearing a classic, solid-colored evening dress, look for an eye-catching embellished belt that will add a touch of bling to your look.
Outerwear
Don’t underestimate the elements when you have to travel to and from an event or attend one that’s outdoors. Choosing an appropriate piece of outerwear is especially important in cooler climates. Fortunately, there are so many chic options out there that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for style or vice-versa if you know what to look for.
Sleeveless and off-the-shoulder evening dresses look wonderful paired with a shawl in a complementary material and color. This is an excellent option for spring and chilly summer nights. Bolero jackets can make an exquisite choice as long as the texture and fabric match your dress perfectly. You can’t go wrong with a long, tailored peacoat in the fall and winter.
Shoes
Never make the mistake of leaving your shoes as an afterthought. A pair of shoes can make or break your entire look. When it comes to elegant evening dresses, heels are always the number one choice if you can stand them. If high heels aren’t your thing, consider wearing a cute pair of kitten heels for the occasion. Flats, boots, and sandals are less formal, so they should be avoided when choosing footwear for an evening dress.
Hair Accessories
Of all the accessories, hair accessories are among the most reliant on the style of your dress. Romantic styles require nothing more than a simple hair vine, while a trendy dress calls out for an oversized statement hairpiece. And in the spring and summer, light and flowy evening dresses look perfect paired with a few flowers in the hair. Don’t forget to consider your hair type as well. For example, long, thick hair can take large and heavy hair accessories well, but if your hair is thin or short, focus on light and delicate accessories.
Makeup
Don’t forget – nails and makeup are considered accessories too. For the perfect look, you must consider these final elements carefully. For any formal occasion, simple and subtle tones are the way to go. Neutral hues blend well with any evening dress. Only choose bright, bold colors if you’re wearing a dark, solid shade like black or navy. In those cases, bold colors can add a pop to your look and bring it to life. But if you try to pair them with an already colorful ensemble, the bold shades will only compete with each other.
Piecing Together the Perfect Look
An elegant evening wear look is incomplete without the perfect accessories. With so many options available today, accessorizing an evening dress is fun when you understand what to look for. Always remember to choose accessories that complement both the dress and your personal style, and most importantly, keep it simple.
