How to Dress Up That Little Black Dress

Black dresses are a must-have in your wardrobe—they can move you seamlessly from an office to a party, or a variety of other occasions. If you’re on the hunt for some new, stylish ways to jazz up your little black dress (LBD), look no further! Take a peek through these chic suggestions and see if any appeal to you.

Method 1
Method 1 of 14:
Wear over-the-knee boots for a sophisticated look.

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    Black, over-the-knee boots add a monochromatic touch to your outfit. These long boots add some height to your outfit, and create a chic, streamlined look when paired with your LBD.
    • Make your outfit extra monochromatic with a black handbag and black sweater.

Method 2
Method 2 of 14:
Stay cool in a pair of statement sandals.

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    Gladiator-style sandals look great with an LBD. Grab a pair of black sandals, which complement your dress nicely while still showing off your legs. Then, add a burst of color to your look with a coat of fresh toenail polish.

Method 3
Method 3 of 14:
Make a statement with brightly-colored shoes.

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    Bold, bright shoes act as the focal point of your outfit. Give your outfit a little extra height with a pair of heels for an especially dynamic look.[1]
    • For instance, red shoes look great with an all-black outfit.

Method 4
Method 4 of 14:
Stand out with bold jewelry.

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    Add a fun twist to your black dress with chunky, eye-catching jewelry. Play around with choker necklaces, wide bangles, and other daring pieces of jewelry. Bold accessories help spruce up your dress in a way that’s both fresh and modern.[2]

Method 5
Method 5 of 14:
Create an elegant look with pearls.

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    Style your pearls with white satin gloves and round-toed pumps. This creates a really adorable look, à la romantic Audrey Hepburn. Try to stay away from pointed pumps—these are too fierce for such a soft and retro look.[3]
    • This works great with a shift-style dress.

Method 6
Method 6 of 14:
Go bold with a glittery clutch.

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    Contrast your dark outfit with a bright accessory. To really make a statement, pick out a larger clutch to complement your dress.[4]

Method 7
Method 7 of 14:
Contrast your LBD with a light-colored handbag.

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    Handbags are a stylish, on-the-go accessory that can keep up with your LBD. Choose a lighter handbag, which will look really striking against your dress. If you’d like, pick out a bag with a subtle, chic pattern that meshes nicely with your dress.[5]
    • For instance, a white handbag with a leafy vine design could be a tasteful complement to your LBD.

Method 8
Method 8 of 14:
Add a splash of color with a decorative scarf.

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    A variety of colors work well with an LBD. Your dark dress acts as a blank canvas, with scarves adding a touch of brightness and personality to your look. Play around with bold, solid colors, or mix things up with patterns for an extra dynamic look.[6]
    • Polka dots, stripes, floral designs, and paisley all look great with a little black dress.

Method 9
Method 9 of 14:
Slip into a faux fur coat for a cozy look.

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    Your LBD probably can’t brave chilly weather on its own. That’s where a faux fur coat comes in! This thick garment adds a cozy touch to your outfit without compromising style.[7]

Method 10
Method 10 of 14:
Layer a printed coat over top for a bold outfit.

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    Let your LBD be a canvas for a bolder, brighter color scheme or pattern. Leopard print offers a striking, stylish complement to your dress, while bold floral patterns add a splash of color to your look. Play around with different patterns and designs until you find a coat that fits your personal aesthetic.
    • For instance, a blue, orange, red, and yellow patterned coat offers a bold, eye-catching edge to your LBD.

Method 11
Method 11 of 14:
Create a chic, simple look with black pantyhose.

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    Pantyhose help even out your skin tone and provide a great finishing touch. Sheer black or gray-tinted pantyhose are a great option if you’re dressing in evening wear, especially if it’s a little chilly outside. Black tights create a seamless, sleek look that blends well with the rest of your outfit.[8]
    • Your legs tend to look longer when your shoes and tights color match.[9]

Method 12
Method 12 of 14:
Add some volume to your outfit with textured tights.

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    Give your outfit an extra dimension with polka-dot tights. These tights add some extra volume to a stylish and sleek LBD.[10]

Method 13
Method 13 of 14:
Accent your dress with a belt.

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    Belts can provide an emphatic, contrasting feature to your dress. Select an accessory the meshes well with your dress—it might be a matching color, or have a complementary pattern or texture.[11]
    • For instance, you might add a dash of brightness with a gold belt.

Method 14
Method 14 of 14:
Pick out a hat or hair accessory for a formal touch.

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    A well-placed hat is a simple but elegant way to enhance your outfit.[12] You might also play around with astutely-placed hair bows, floral accessories, bejeweled hairpieces, or simple ribbons. All of these accents go a long way in making a statement with your black dress![13]

Community Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    What can I stay comfortable in a little black dress during the winter?
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    Pick out a dress that’s comfortable for you! Not all little black dresses are equal, and some have more style and suitability than others.
  • Question
    How do I look sleek in a black dress?
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    For a sleek look, choose a necklace that fits the neckline of your dress, or pin a brooch in a cute spot on your garment. You can also change things up with a pair of daring earrings—the possible combos are endless!
  • Question
    What kind of jewelry should I wear if I've got an awesome dress?
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer

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    You don’t want too much going on around the neck if there’s a lot already going on with the dress. Something smaller and tasteful is probably better.
  • Question
    What can I accessorize with if I'm on the older side?
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer

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    I think it depends on what you’re dressing for. Pearl earrings are a classic. You could even go for a pearl necklace, which is really elegant and timeless. I'd say just keep it simple.
  • Question
    What color goes well with a black dress?
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’
    Kalee Hewlett
    Kalee Hewlett
    Image Consultant
    Expert Answer

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    It depends a little bit on your skin tone and hair color. I'm a big fan of matching a black dress with black shoes and then adding some silver or gold jewelry to make it pop. A good black dress can stand on its own.
  • Question
    Is it okay to wear black tights and high heels with a black dress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! A monochromatic look is very chic. I would add a colorful/shiny piece somewhere to the outfit (a bright red lip, sparkly purse, bigger earrings, etc.) to give the outfit a pop of color/shine.
  • Question
    Would it be okay to wear white heels with my black dress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it may create some contrast. To balance that contrast out, consider adding a white accessory, such as a: belt, clutch/bag/purse, cunky bracelet, or statement necklace.
  • Question
    Is it acceptable to wear gold pumps with a black dress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It's fine as long as you balance out the look with gold accessories and stay away from any other colors. Use a tasteful gold eye shadow or lipstick if you aren't inclined to stick with neutral makeup.
  • Question
    Should I wear gold or silver jewelry with an all-black dress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Either! Gold and silver both look great with a little black dress, so you should wear whichever one goes best with your skin tone.
  • Question
    Is it good to wear silver heels with a black fitted dress?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, that should be good, as long as they don't clash with something else you're wearing (e.g., gold jewelry).

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/gallery/10-easy-ways-to-update-your-little-black-dress
  2. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/gallery/10-easy-ways-to-update-your-little-black-dress/#1
  3. ↑ Kalee Hewlett. Image Consultant. Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.
  4. ↑ https://www.redbookmag.com/fashion/how-to/g1893/accessories-for-little-black-dress/
  5. ↑ https://fashionmagazine.com/style/how-to-style-handbags/
  6. ↑ https://annetouraine.com/blogs/news/14309109-style-your-little-black-dress-with-scarves
  7. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/gallery/10-easy-ways-to-update-your-little-black-dress
  8. ↑ https://www.thelist.com/23106/new-ways-dress-little-black-dress/
  9. ↑ https://www.fabulousafter40.com/dressing-tips-to-slim-heavy-calves-and-ankles/
  1. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/gallery/10-easy-ways-to-update-your-little-black-dress
  2. ↑ https://www.redbookmag.com/fashion/how-to/g1893/accessories-for-little-black-dress/
  3. ↑ https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JyYw70IE4Lk&t=0m38s
  4. ↑ https://www.glamour.com/story/the-little-black-bow-its-the-s

About This Article

Kalee Hewlett
Co-authored by:
Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
This article was co-authored by Kalee Hewlett and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’ This article has been viewed 1,011,447 times.
1 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 78
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 1,011,447
Categories: Featured Articles | Evening Dresses | Dresses and Skirts