Find Your Dream Dress
By Cynthia Nellis, About.com Guide
1. Decide on Formality:
Usually the event invitation will clue you into the formality of the event, whether it's casual or black tie. But sometimes even that will cause confusion (short dress or long?)
In general, the later in the day the event (after 6 p.m.), the dressier. Long dresses are usually reserved only for formal (black tie) occasions.
While some fabrics are year-round -- silk, brocade, organza, jersey -- fabrics like velvet and gold spangles are best reserved for winter holidays.
2. Flatter Your Figure:
The most important feature of your new dress is how well it flatters you.
Remember that darker colors and simple cuts (a sheath, an A-line) are the most flattering.
Show off your best feature. If you have gorgeous eyes, then play them up with beautiful makeup, off-the-face hair and jeweled earrings in a complimentary shade.
Not sure what your best asset is? Ask a friend or significant other. Or go to a store that sells special occasion dresses and enlist the salesperson's help.
3. Choose a Color:
You could just wear a little black dress (classy, flattering and slenderizing), but why not explore some of the other dressy options?
Red, bold prints, even gold are dramatic enough for evening wear. Pastels, mid-range brights and soft prints look great for dressy day occasions.
Blue (from navy to royal), pink (from cotton candy to fuchsia) and white (from candlelight to cream) look great on almost everyone. Remember that the "Don't wear white to a wedding" wisdom is still considered a fashion don't by most women.
4. Pick a Style:
Catalogs, the internet and magazines are a great places to seek special occasion dress inspiration.
Instead of going with something trendy, try to find a dress that reflects classic, timeless elegance. Remember that you'll have to look at photos of you in the dress for years to come.
Classic special occasion dresses are often deceptively simple, but they usually let the beauty of the wearer shine through. A few examples: the little black dress (a.k.a the cocktail dress), a goddess gown (draped and rouched), a ballgown, a slip dress.
5. Shop:
Set a budget before shopping. Special occasion dresses usually cost more than $100, but if you comparison shop you can find one that works in your price range.
Shop secondhand stores and sales to save even more money on a dress.
If you shop in a store, dress for the day by bringing along heels, any special accessories you know you want to use and a strapless bra.
When shopping online, make sure you understand both the sizing (know your measurements and check against a size chart on the site) and the return policy (some stores don't take returns on dresses.)
6. Accessorize:
The trimmings will take their cue from the dress, but for special occasions your jewelery usually gets bigger and your bag and shoes get smaller (as in strappy sandals).
Although you may want to add tons of glitz, remember that you can kill a look with too much matchy-matchy accessorizing. Find earrings, necklace and bracelet that compliment each other without being a matching set.
If your legs aren't perfect enough to go bare need camouflage and you don't like to wear leg makeup, then opt for super-sheer hose or fishnets.
MY THOUGHTS
too much effort. another reason i don't want dressing up for really special occasions. but when i have to, my decision for a dress will depend on the occasion itself, the crowd i'll be hobnobbing with, my role in the event, the place. see? i'm already getting headaches just thinking about it. and i really don't want spending too much on a dress that i probably won't wear again. i have a lot of those already. boxed up and gathering dust. by the time my nieces need them, they'll be so out of fashion wearing them would be like the kiss of death. but hey! there's recycling, right?
Showing posts with label drop-down earrings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label drop-down earrings. Show all posts
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
How to Accessorize a Special Occasion Dress
How to Accessorize a Special Occasion Dress?
By Cynthia Nellis, About.com Guide
Question: How to Accessorize a Special Occasion Dress?
Answer: Pearls are a great choice to dress up a special dress. Look for a double or single strand pearl choker and some matching earrings. Also, a bracelet -- in something sparkly or pearls -- is nice. Long earrings with clear or colored jewels and large diamond studs are two other special looks. Choose a small embroidered, beaded or otherwise decorated handheld bag. For more coverage, you can add a sheer wrap to wear around your shoulders.
MY THOUGHTS
i hope i'll never get invited to an event where i have to wear something formal. i don't like pearls. i don't like wraps. well,i don't like formal!!!
By Cynthia Nellis, About.com Guide
Question: How to Accessorize a Special Occasion Dress?
Answer: Pearls are a great choice to dress up a special dress. Look for a double or single strand pearl choker and some matching earrings. Also, a bracelet -- in something sparkly or pearls -- is nice. Long earrings with clear or colored jewels and large diamond studs are two other special looks. Choose a small embroidered, beaded or otherwise decorated handheld bag. For more coverage, you can add a sheer wrap to wear around your shoulders.
MY THOUGHTS
i hope i'll never get invited to an event where i have to wear something formal. i don't like pearls. i don't like wraps. well,i don't like formal!!!
Monday, January 10, 2011
How to Accessorize a Little Black Dress
How to Accessorize a Little Black Dress
Accessories for a Little Black Dress
From Kori Ellis, former About.com Guide
An essential in every woman's wardrobe, the little black dress is a stylish choice for many occasions. If you are wearing your little black dress to a cocktail party or evening event, these accessories will finish off your look perfectly.
Drop Earrings
You don't have to spend a fortune to look stylish and chic. These Eliot Danori earrings feature vintage-inspired Swarovski crystals for an elegant yet affordable appeal. These earrings are just $40.
Tennis Bracelet
A diamond tennis bracelet is a classic choice with a little black dress. It's sophisticated and classy. You don't need to splurge on diamonds. Sparkling cubic zirconia or other diamond alternatives are almost as good as the real deal.
Metallic Evening Bag
A small metallic evening clutch is a great complement to a little black dress. Metallic fabrics will add just a touch of shine for evening. Bags with sequins, beads and other embellishments are also terrific options.
Slingback Pumps
Select a pair of slingback pumps with a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2-inch heel to complement your little black dress. Black pumps are the obvious choice but silver is also a favorite. If you'd like a classic Audrey Hepburn style look, choose pumps with a round toe.
Dramatic Wrap
When it's chilly outside, add a wrap instead of an overcoat. You can choose from sheer silk wraps, fur-lined options, or something a little more dramatic like this leopard wrap from Harlequin Feltworks.
MY THOUGHTS
thing is, i do not have a little black dress. i have maybe a couple of black dresses. they are certainly not little. no problem with drop earrings and metallic evening bag. can't remember what happened to the tennis bracelet. i think i threw it in the face of the &*#$ who gave it to me. i've come to hate pumps and i certainly don't like wraps. dramatic or not. in other words, my lifestyle has changed so much the past years, i have no need to accessorize the little black because i don't have the need for it.
Accessories for a Little Black Dress
From Kori Ellis, former About.com Guide
An essential in every woman's wardrobe, the little black dress is a stylish choice for many occasions. If you are wearing your little black dress to a cocktail party or evening event, these accessories will finish off your look perfectly.
Drop Earrings
You don't have to spend a fortune to look stylish and chic. These Eliot Danori earrings feature vintage-inspired Swarovski crystals for an elegant yet affordable appeal. These earrings are just $40.
Tennis Bracelet
A diamond tennis bracelet is a classic choice with a little black dress. It's sophisticated and classy. You don't need to splurge on diamonds. Sparkling cubic zirconia or other diamond alternatives are almost as good as the real deal.
Metallic Evening Bag
A small metallic evening clutch is a great complement to a little black dress. Metallic fabrics will add just a touch of shine for evening. Bags with sequins, beads and other embellishments are also terrific options.
Slingback Pumps
Select a pair of slingback pumps with a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2-inch heel to complement your little black dress. Black pumps are the obvious choice but silver is also a favorite. If you'd like a classic Audrey Hepburn style look, choose pumps with a round toe.
Dramatic Wrap
When it's chilly outside, add a wrap instead of an overcoat. You can choose from sheer silk wraps, fur-lined options, or something a little more dramatic like this leopard wrap from Harlequin Feltworks.
MY THOUGHTS
thing is, i do not have a little black dress. i have maybe a couple of black dresses. they are certainly not little. no problem with drop earrings and metallic evening bag. can't remember what happened to the tennis bracelet. i think i threw it in the face of the &*#$ who gave it to me. i've come to hate pumps and i certainly don't like wraps. dramatic or not. in other words, my lifestyle has changed so much the past years, i have no need to accessorize the little black because i don't have the need for it.
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