[KristyDarling]

Hail, fashion experts,

I'm going to a black-tie event next week and would love to hear how you'd jazz up this dress. It's a very simple piece by Tadashi, so I'd like my accessories to give it some punch. My instincts tell me: long, dramatic earrings, a cuff or bangle bracelets, and my medium-long hair in a loose updo (or, down and flowing?). Perhaps I'll carry a brightly colored clutch, like something red. Or fuschia?

FYI, I don't know if this makes any difference but I'm petite: 5'2" and 100lbs. I may want to wear some statement jewelry, but I don't want the jewelry to wear ME!

What would YOU do to this ensemble? Please be as specific as possible....THANK YOU!!!

[laureenthemean]

I think an updo, earrings, and a bright clutch would be enough. I would skip the bracelet.

[ladyeeboutique]

This dress is simple yet dramatic so IMO you don't need much.

Long dramatic earrings
Chic and elegant bracelet or smaller width bangle (preferable with some bling)
Clutch in hot pink (fuscia), deep purple, royal blue or a deep olive green
Hair- Soft updo

:) Wande

[MonkeyGirl]

Originally Posted by laureenthemean

I think an updo, earrings, and a bright clutch would be enough. I would skip the bracelet.

totally agree! maybe a fuschia clutch? i love pink with black more than red. it looks more femenine imo.

[PurpleD]

I think this would look great with an updo, diamond or crystal chandelier earrings, and a silver clutch. (I'd also skip the bracelets)

I think this vintage gucci clutch would look great with this dress: (its on Decades' blog: http://decadesinc.blogspot.com/)

[KristyDarling]

These are all wonderful ideas, thank you! I LOVE that vintage Gucci clutch! So elegant and unusual. Although it's probably out of my price range, it's a great inspiration piece.

I've made a mental note: consider skipping the bracelet. They usually look dumb on my short arms anyway!

Any ideas on the type of earrings I should look for? I'm partial to yellow gold, but I could also see myself wearing a gemstone-colored crystal chandelier or drop-type earrings. I just don't want to look like I'm going to the prom! I'm a mother of 2 in my mid-30s and would like to look elegant, but not boring or stuffy either.

[laureenthemean]

^^I think simpler, though still dangly, earrings would look best. To me, the combination of the dress, updo, and bright clutch would be too much with ornate chandelier earrings. The dress has enough detail that you can go with a simpler design on the earrings. I love the dress, btw!

[ladyeeboutique]

http://www.ross-simons.com/products/266318.html
http://www.ross-simons.com/products/266323.html
http://www.ross-simons.com/products/278540.html
http://www.ross-simons.com/products/043238.html

Something like this is what I had in mind...

[KristyDarling]

Ladyee -- I love the first earrings you posted!

[KristyDarling]

Originally Posted by laureenthemean

^^I think simpler, though still dangly, earrings would look best. To me, the combination of the dress, updo, and bright clutch would be too much with ornate chandelier earrings. The dress has enough detail that you can go with a simpler design on the earrings. I love the dress, btw!

Why, thank you! What about these earrings? They're 2" long. Too casual?

[KristyDarling]

These are cool too:

[ladyeeboutique]

[KristyDarling]

Perhaps these lovelies? All of these are around 2" long. Long enough to be "formal," I would think.

[ladyeeboutique]

Originally Posted by KristyDarling

Perhaps these lovelies? All of these are around 2" long. Long enough to be "formal," I would think.

These are cute!

[KristyDarling]

^^^ I think so too! But do these earrings break the "rule" of never wearing blue with black? Or maybe they're royal blue enough to contrast against the black?

And, are they formal enough?