Stella McCartney Cowl neck knit dress

 

Email Love This

Twitter Yahoo! Buzz Stumble Digg

Damson wool knit dress with a cowl neck and a flippy skirt. Stella McCartney dress has balloon sleeves, a self-tie waist belt and simply pulls on. 100% wool.

How to Accessorize...But Not Over accessorize an Outfit

 

So, you've got on a black and white dress and white shoes...do you wear earrings? A necklace? Bracelets? This list will help you decide great ways to accessorize your outfits.

 

Instructions

1. Think about what you're wearing. If it's busy already, keep accessories limited and simple. If it's plain, you've got more freedom to accessorize - but don't go overboard!
   
   
2. Keep this in mind: less is more. A ring and matching bracelet make a nice set. A matching bracelet and necklace make a great combination. But two rings, a bracelet on each arm and three necklaces? Not so much.
   
   
3. Choose one accessory as a focal point. For example, you can wear big, glamorous earrings, but then if you wear a necklace, it needs to be subtle. Similarly, you can choose a shiny necklace, but then your earrings should be small and should not compete for attention.
   
   
4. Stick to one style of jewelry. If you want to accessorize with yellow gold, stick with that. The same goes for white gold. Mixing and matching can get messy.
   
   
5. If you're carrying a purse, make sure it looks good with your outfit. A metallic silver purse may be a gorgeous accessory for a black dress, but with a metallic dress, you may start looking like an over-accessorized mess.
    
   
6. Don't be afraid to take fashion risks. A beaded necklace can be a fantastic accessory with a simple black top and jeans. Shiny earrings can spice up a simple dress. If you like it, and it looks good with your outfit, go for it!
   
   
7. Look at yourself in the mirror before going out. Do your accessories create a cohesive look, or do they look mismatched? If they look mismatched, take them off and try again.

How to Accessorize a White Dress

 Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Silver jewelry
• Brightly colored bangles
• One each of a vintage, new, borrowed and blue accessory
• Black hat
• Black wrist gloves
• Flower hair clip
• Silk scarf
• Bold statement purse

1. Remember the rules of the most important white dress--something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Good ideas for these include vintage rhinestone earrings, hair pins, combs and necklaces. For a very marriage-minded and modern touch, get a tiny nose piercing with a blue, red or pink stone in the left nostril, which is an indicator of fertility and relationship luck in India and Africa.
   
   
2. Pair a basic white tank dress with a fabulous black hat and short black leather gloves for retro appeal. A wide-brimmed, floppy black hat suits many women, and it makes a very strong statement for lunch and dinner engagements. The leather gloves are a sexy extra touch.
   
   
3. Wear romantic-looking accessories with silhouettes that flow. A pink or blue flower hair clip adds a spot of color while enhancing the wearer's sensuality. Alternately, try a feather hair clip.
   
   
4. Trim white business dresses with a rich-looking silk scarf. If you're feeling bold and want to convey power, favor a bright-colored square. For feminine appeal, use a softer shade like pink or violet. Tie it with a simple knot, or use a more complex method for a stronger look.
   
   
5. Look at the undertones of the white dress before wearing gold or silver jewelry. Cool shades like winter white fare better with silver, while warmer colors like ecru look great with gold.
   
   
6. Grab a bunch of brightly colored bangle bracelets. A good mix of colors and textures will work with virtually any white dress.
   
   
7. Carry a statement bag with your white dress. This can be an animal print clutch, snakeskin bag, or bright turquoise hobo. Shy away from black and brown bags when wearing white, since the "blank slate" nature of a white dress complements a bolder purse.

How to Accessorize a Black Dress

How to Accessorize a Black Dress

You're ready to go out and you're in your favorite black dress. But how do you spruce it up? Take an old favorite dress and a few dazzling accessories to create a whole new look for yourself. Try these six ideas on for size.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Evening Handbags
• Hair Accessories
• Handbags
• Hosiery
• Little Black Dresses
• Women's Closed-toed Shoes
• Women's Dress Shoes
• Women's Suit Jackets
• Bracelets
• Diamond Earrings
• Pearl Necklaces
• Women's Watches

1. Create a serious look with the black dress by teaming it up with a suit jacket and a structured bag.
   
   
2. Spice up your dress with a Far East look: an embroidered kimono bag, an obi for a belt and platform stilettos. An obi is a sash that's typically worn with a kimono.
   
   
3. Consider slipping on jeweled bangles and silver heels. Top off the ensemble with a shawl.
   
   
4. Try a velvet duster with a fur collar or a velvet coat over the dress.
   
   
5. Pair your dress with a sequined handbag and mules for a night out.
   
   
6. Throw on a zebra-print coat paired with a red handbag and sexy leather boots for a wild night out.

How to Dress for a Cocktail Party - Women

 

Dress for a Cocktail Party-Women

How to Dress for a Cocktail Party - Women

Cocktail parties are the perfect occasion for the famous little black dress. Whatever your attire, keep it dressy and elegant, but not too formal.

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Handbags
• Hosiery
• Little Black Dresses
• Scarves
• Women Dress Coats
• Women Dress Pants
• Women Dress Shirts
• Women Dress Shoes
• Women Dress Sweater
• dresses and skirts

1. Think about your invitation. If it came by phone or e-mail, chances are it's a more casual affair. If you received a formal invitation, and especially if the event benefits a charity or association, consider it a dressier affair.
   
   
2. Choose dress and skirt lengths from mini to just above the ankles. Save anything resembling a full-length sequined gown for a different occasion.
   
   
3. Choose fabric according to the season. Wool and wool blends are perfect for fall and winter; satin, silk, rayon and fine-gauge knits are great for the spring and summer months. These materials can be dressed up or down with jewelry, handbags, shoes, wraps and hairstyles.
   
   
4. Attend a more formal after-work party in a business suit, or if you wear more casual clothes to work, bring an outfit to change into. A black wool dress with stockings and pumps is a simple solution for fall or winter. Pair a strapless or spaghetti-strap dress with an embroidered cardigan and slingback pumps or strappy sandals for a spring or summer event.
   
   
5. Head to a more casual after-work gathering in a dressy-casual outfit. Pair a wool skirt with a fitted turtleneck and leather flats for winter parties. Consider a fine-knit twinset, slim satin pants and low-heeled mules in the summer.
   
   
6. Wear a printed A-line sundress to a cocktail party on a weekend afternoon. A party scheduled for a weekend evening warrants a more flirty or elegant ensemble. Pair a colorful satin or silk empire-waist dress with a velvet or silk shoulder wrap.
   
   
7. Accessorize. Show off your gold charm bracelet or favorite pair of dangling earrings. Match hair adornments and a handbag to the motif, material or colors in your outfit.

How to Choose Accessories for a Dressy Pink Dress

 

 

With the right accessories, women of all ages can wear a dressy pink gown or cocktail dress. Choose a shade of pink that complements your age and skin tone, and accessories that flatter and accentuate your personality and the hue of the dress. Your accessories should also reflect the kind of function you are attending, as accessories are the final touches that can determine whether a look is formal, festive or casual.

Instructions

1. Choose what kind of look you desire, whether flashy or conservative.
   
2. Pick black, white, beige or khaki shoes, as these colors go well with pink. Pink shoes may be worn, but should not clash with the shade of the dress. Choose a standard pump for a more conservative vibe, pointy-toed stiletto's for a sexy look or sparkly gold or silver shoes for a ritzier effect.
   
3. Wear stockings that complement your natural skin tone or choose black or cream-colored stockings to add bold elegance to your look. Avoid pink stockings.
   
4. Bring a small handbag just large enough to hold your essential items. Select a white, beige or cream handbag if you wear pink shoes; otherwise match the color of your handbag to the color of your shoes.
   
5. Choose belts and scarfs that suit the style of the dress. Accentuate sleeveless dresses with a scarf or shrug. Lacy shrugs add a touch of class and maturity to your appearance. Patterned belts and scarfs should not overpower the rest of the ensemble. Add a black belt to an A-line dress for a strong conservative look.
   
6. Decide on your hairstyle before choosing hats and hair accessories. Place real or silk flowers in your hair for a delicate romantic look, or jeweled hair combs or hair pins for an air of refinement. Add beaded hair sticks to a bun.
   
7. Opt for jewelry that matches your dress and personality. Long, dangling gold or silver earrings can be showy and glamorous, while pearls and gemstones are more sophisticated. Do not over-accessorize with jewelry if the dress itself is already ornate.
   
8. Lay your dress on a flat surface, such as your bed, surrounded by all your accessories to decide whether or not you like the overall look.