Help Accessorizing a Dress? - YouLookFab Forum

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Help Accessorizing a Dress?

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Hi Everyone!

I got my gala dress back from the alteration place. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I had them hem it, and also taper it so it's more of a pencil skirt on me, rather than straight:

http://i66.photobucket.com/alb.....1348-1.jpg

I'm sort of at a loss for shoes, clutch and jewelry. For jewelry, I'm thinking that a necklace would be an obvious choice, so maybe I will do something different, like a big cocktail ring or a cuff bracelet. But if I found a killer necklace, I would be open to wearing one. I don't really wear earrings all that much, so I will probably opt not to wear those. Any ideas? For shoes, I'm totally open--I think the dress is really a statement on it's own, so maybe the shoes should be more subdued?

Thank you so much! You all are always a lot of help (and more creative with accessories than I am).

PS--Please excuse the plastic bags in the background. I'm cleaning out closets this week and that's my "To Donate" pile.

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Inge

Anonymous

That dress is just so beautiful and looks wonderful on you. I like your idea of keeping the accessories simple. A perfect lipstick color is a good start.

Anonymous

With so much going on the in the dress pattern, you are wise to keep accessories simple, but I'd try to avoid the obvious black. Pearls as necklace or bracelet or ring and pearly colored heels?

bella

(website)

Veteran

You look really great in that dress. I see this dress paired with a chunky, sparkly bracelet and coordinating earrings.
Something like this:
http://tinyurl.com/7f4umz
Depending on your budget, you have a variety of options from fashion jewelry like the bracelet above to sterling silver with CZ to white gold with swarovski crystals.
For shoes, I would go with a pair of black sophisticated peep toe pumps or closed toe pumps (whichever you like better)

http://tinyurl.com/7mvw4w
http://tinyurl.com/9o9rut

Dressing up for such occasions is a lot of fun. Enjoy every minute of it!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

I love that dress! I posted on another thread that I saw this dress on TV the other day. It looks like it was made for you!
I would wear it with black shoes, personally. I have some black velvet peeptoe sling backs with a bow on the toe. Something simple with a slight vintage nod? The dress does indeed is a statement on its own.
I like your black cocktail ring...how does that look with the dress?

Patience

Veteran

I love how the dress looks on you too! Perfection. I'm having a hard time accessorizing it too, but I'd say black pumps or strappy heels. I like the idea of chunky pearls too-- either cream or black.
Or I just had a another idea-- how about nude shoes and a black wrap?

tarzy

Veteran

I was thinking nude heels too, because of your hair color and incredible legs! Would a metallic work - like silver?

Do you also need a wrap? (I'm not sure what climate you're in.)

I hope Angie chimes in. I want to know the answer to this one!

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

The dress looks beautiful on you! You have so many choices for accessories. I understand you may not want to go with a necklace but without earrings I think that you may need something near the top to balance the boldness of the pattern. The obvious choice is chunky choker length pearls in any color of the dress, maybe a great cluster with 3 strands. A pendant that picks up one of the jewel tones would be nice. I like the idea of dramatic lipstick color, and agree that the dress does not need really dramatic shoes. Please post a picture with what you decided.
Thanks!

shiny

Veteran

Wow, you look stunning! The dress is a statement all on its own, so I like your idea of keeping everything else simple. I am mostly at a loss... would love to hear Angie's thoughts.

The only thing that jumps to mind for me is perhaps somehow pick up that gorgeous green in the dress? Aren't your eyes green too? Perhaps with a green velvet clutch... needn't be an exact color match - probably better if it isn't. How about a deep, dark green velvet clutch, one that nearly looks black? An emerald statment ring would be gorgeous. Then keep the shoes black, but definetly go with peep-toe or strappy or something that is barely-there.

I'm thinking "velvet" because the dress has sheen... velvet would make a nice offset.

For wrap - can you throw on DH's jacket and roll the cuffs? Or don't you have a menswear jacket? .... Wraps are great but once inside they can be just an added fuss to hold and carry and deal with.

For jewelry... I love the idea of a statement ring and/or cuff and nothing else.

When is the gala?

Julia

Ana you look stunning in the dress!

I remember that when you first showed the dress, you had a black cami under it. I actually really liked it. I also love the idea of a statement ring and peep-toe shoes.

Violet

Wow Ana, you look gorgeous in the dress! I think the neckline of the dress is so pretty on it's own, I'm not sure if you even need a necklace. I like the idea of wearing a sparkly bracelet or cocktail ring. I also think some peep toe shoes would look great.

DressLover

Veteran

What a beautiful dress and it complements your body perfectly! Gail on Top Chef wore the same dress for the episode featuring her bridal shower.

First, since the dress is boldly colored and patterned, I would keep the style of your accessories classic, streamlined, and simple. Second, for colors of accessories, I'd choose a bold jewel tone for the bag or shoe, and then choose a neutral for the other option. For example, an emerald green clutch with a sophisticated black peeptoe or a small black evening bag and a cobalt blue pump. Finally, I would choose a simple silver/white gold necklace and maybe a thin silver/white gold cuff bracelet. Too much jewelry or too intricate jewelry will compete with the dress.

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

Man that dress is gorgeous on you!!! It is indeed a statement in itself, but I think shoes in any bright colour would look great with it, even if they are not necessarily in the dress.

Do you wear gold or silver jewellery normally. Some kind of chunky pendant on a plain chain would look great nestled into that neckline!

Lena

Wow, Ana! Just wow.

I don't have any advice about accessorizing, just wanted to say you look incredible in this dress. This print really works for you and the length is very flattering.

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Thank you SO much, Ladies! I really appreciate all the suggestions and compliments. I love the idea of a dark green clutch or shoes. The only green shoes I've been able to find so far are some peep toe Cole Haan heels, which I like, but I'm not sure if they are dark enough:

http://www.colehaan.com/coleha.....oup=135379

I like that they are suede though, because the matteness counteracts the satin shininess of the dress. If I went with green shoes, I'd carry a black clutch, or vice versa. I also found a dark green (faux) Tahitian chunky pearl necklace with one rhinestone bead in the strand necklace that I thought might go. I don't want to go overboard though, so I didn't buy it. I don't have a photo, because I saw it in a shop this evening, and it's not a name brand or anything.

Last year was very warm (I got kind of sweaty), but who knows what this year will be like. If it's warm, I'll go with no hose, and no cover up, but if it's cooler, I'll probably need to have some kind of jacket to wear over the dress, and micro-fishnet tights.

I'm getting so excited, it's right around the corner!

Ana

(website)

Veteran

Oops, double post. Sorry!

Inge

(website)

That dress is just stunning on you Ana, absolutely stunning!!
I have to admit I had my doubts at first: I loved the cut and pattern, but I always find it difficult to imagine the 'end result' when something needs to be tailored. I'm so glad you have a good eye for this kind of stuff!

It's such a classy and softly elegant dress, you look svelte and sophisticated.
I love the idea of the Cole Haan suede pumps, and I would definitely try them. The colour might be just right.

I'd love to see that necklace, it sounds gorgeous. I agree, though, you'd have to see it with the dress to be sure it's not overpowering the outfit. The dress is such a statement on itself, it really doesn't need much else, does it?