10 Ways to Style the Little Black Dress

Ah, the little black dress – Queen of all dresses. Classed as a ‘must-have’ by every fashion magazine ever, most of us knew what the acronym L.B.D. stood for before we were even old enough to wear one. Various glamorous women have the perfect little black dress in their arsenal, from Audrey Hepburn’s classic Givenchy to Victoria Beckham’s famed collection. It’s a must have in any girls wardrobe, and the perfect little black dress can take you from the office to the bar and beyond. How you style yours is completely up to personal choice, but if you’re feeling a little less than creative, we’ve offered some advice below to get your mind sparking.

Classic

Audrey is the poster girl for the classic little black dress, literally. Make like Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and pair your little black dress with a statement necklace, a chignon and feline flicks. It’s a timeless, elegant look that’ll take you from the dining room to the dance floor, and if you’re feeling too restricted towards the end of the night – shake your hair loose and you’ll have tumbling waves in an instant.

Pillar box Red

Another statement look, the pillar box red lip is the ultimate accessory when you’re wearing a plain outfit. Classically, red connotes romance, love and desire, and a red lip adds a flirty edge to an otherwise demure black dress. If your skin tone is warm, reach for a true red shade to compliment you best, and if it’s cool, a blueish red is the one you need.

Jazz it up

If you’re allergic to looking stereotypically feminine, there’s no need to shun the little black dress completely. Alter its definition to suit you! The L.B.D doesn’t have to be slinky, strapless or tight-fitting. Why not go for a simple strappy cami dress, and sling a jazzy kimono over the top? Channel Coachella vibes and layer up with bracelets and rings to put a festival twist on the classic little black dress.

Layers, layers, layers

The nineties trend just won’t quit, and we’ve gained inspiration from our favourite pop stars in this next tip. Make like a member of a girl-band and layer your favourite black dress over a plain coloured t-shirt for an edgier, cooler update on the look. If classic is your thing, stick to monochrome colours, or if you’re feeling a bit more daring, why not try a pop of pink or red? Your world is your oyster!

Barely there sandals

It can be hard to figure out what shoes to wear with a little black dress. Too much colour can take away from the classiness of your dress, so we’ve found it best to stick to a pair of barely-there, black, strappy heels. These kinds of heels can be worn again and again with a multitude of outfits, so you’re making your money stretch further too – always a positive.

Statement clutch

Let your bag do the talking and team your little black dress with your favourite statement clutch. If your dress shows off your décolletage, a strappy bag can ruin the line of the dress. A clutch on the other hand, adds interest without being in your face. Opt for a fluffy one for a fun punch of sass, or a beaded one if you prefer a more elegant look.

Pair with trainers

If high, high heels just aren’t your thing, swap the tower blocks for a pair of trainers. Cami or t-shirt style dresses work best with this look, and stick to light materials like cotton to ensure you look casual, cool and collected rather than mismatched. Add a faux-leather rucksack for extra cool points.

Tights

Add a pair of printed tights underneath your favourite little black dress in the colder months for an extra pop of personality. Our personal favourites are barely-there dots – sophisticated yet discreet. Steer clear of star print or anything too ‘tween’-like, and you should be good to go.

Go backless

Update your little black dress collection with a backless number. Backless dresses are elegant and sensual, and negate the need for any other accessories. Perfect if you want to pull on a dress and look instantly ready! Some of the best backless pieces are adorned with floral and lace mesh, for a cool update on the classic line look.

Add an embellished collar

A really simple, sneaky tip to make your dress work harder is to update it each time you wear it by adding a different collar. You can pick up some beautifully embellished collars for less than $10, and they’ll totally reinvent your look. No one needs to know you’ve been wearing the same dress for a week – it’s our little secret.

We hope these tips have inspired you to dive into your wardrobe and dig out your favourite little black dress. It really is a classic. Let us know how you wear yours in the comments!

Stay beautiful!

from Beauty And Tips Magazine