How to accessorize 2 gowns? - YouLookFab Forum

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How to accessorize 2 gowns?

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Hello Angie and all. It's been such a long time since I've last posted (over a year) and have missing chatting with about fashion. Unfortunately, I'm in style rut due to the dreaded body changes and weight gain, however I am working on changing that.

Meanwhile, I've been invited to a black tie wedding in September and have 2 dresses that I recently purchased and am not sure how to accessorize them. I haven't received the dresses yet and have a feeling the red dress will have a very deep neckline so would like to cover that area with a long necklace. Any suggestions? Plus what color shoes?

The black and white dress is a statement in itself so should I even wear a necklace? How about a bracelet and earrings? I saw a similar dress and someone had worn a black chunky necklace or a white chunky necklace. What do you think?

Also, hubby does not want to wear a tux. Is it possible to wear a nice black suit and white shirt?

Anyway, would love everyone's input. Thanks in advance.

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Dressing

21 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Star

Veteran

Really fab dresses. I would probably skip necklaces on both of these as they have their own interesting details in that area. Even though the red dress has a low neckline the cut-outs are enough detail in that area. I would prefer earrings, cuffs/chunky armwear and rings as accessories. But I usually do anyway so others may well envision these differently.

BlueJay

Veteran

Welcome back! The dresses are fun! For the red dress, I would suggest a long yellow gold (I like red with yellow gold) lariat necklace, something longer than 20" to emphasize the deep plunge of the dress. Or a gold chain with a pendant. Something subtle to not detract from the dress. If you do wear a necklace then I would suggest smaller earrings.

For the black and white dress, I think I wouldn't wear a necklace, but wear dramatic earrings, but that's a personal preference for this off-the-shoulder style.

Both dresses you could wear bracelets and rings.

I'm not sure about men's fashion and black tie events.

HAVE FUN!

Suntiger

The black and white dress could work with a thin gold or silver choker chain. I've seen some on Etsy with a pearl or opal.
Definitely earrings, bracelet, statement ring otherwise!
Welcome back

Jenny H

Veteran

Oh both dresses look amazing!

I like the advice others have given re: jewelry.

Brooklyn

Veteran

Welcome back! I agree with BlueJay. I would go lariat style for the first dress. No necklace for the second. Or maybe a choker if you like a bit of a 90s vibe. Bracelets would look good with both.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Star - Thank you for your input. I was thinking about a cuff or chunky bracelet. We'll see about the necklace since I have to see how deep the neckline will me.

Bluejay - Yes. If I can find a lariat or pendant necklace, that may work with the red dress. I think we have the same vibe because I was thinking of dramatic bright earrings.

Suntiger - sound definitely doable.

Jenny H. - the hard party is finding these items. I'm pretty picky.

Brooklyn - Thank your the welcome. Okay, so a lariat for the red, and no necklace for the striped dress.

Thanks all. Now, let's wait and see how the dressed look. I still have to get shoes too.

Sisi

Veteran

Hello Citygirl, nice to see you! Well, I really like dress #2. I think it would look good with your black hair. I also think that a necklace is not necessary but a bracelet and small earrings would look nice (I like the idea of a "free" the shoulder line if you understand what I mean). I suggest dainty sandals if the weather permits. As per your husband, I know nothing about black tie etiquette, but I think that a black suit with a white shirt is always elegant.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Welcome back, Naz! Lovely to see you back on YLF

Great dresses! Very excited to see them on.

Make sure you do the sit-down-test in them before you commit too.

The striped dress is screaming for white pearls!!! Don't you think?

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Sisi - We shall see about the earrings.

Angie - Yes. I will try them on if they fit. Good thinking about the sit down test. As for pearls, I never thought about that, maybe a long strand of pears wrapped around in layers. Stay tuned.

Carol

(website)

Veteran

I feel like I'm good at the jewelry game--shoes--I don't know. The red dress is fabulous--are those cut-outs or appliques under the breasts?

I would allow the plunge to show--every Hollywood actress does. Then I'd do a simple, delicate diamond or cubic zirconia necklace that is not too long. And a diamond tennis bracelet, and diamond statement earrings.

Then shoes...if you paired that dress with powder pink heels, you'd have a complete Marilyn/Material Girl look, which would be so cool. Otherwise red heels--makes a statement, but also holds back.

Then the black and white dress (you have such good taste in dresses) would actually go great with super-loud costume jewelry. Like a bib necklace with yellow or blue jewels. You could also do a great headpiece, depending on the nature of the event. A couple tasteful black feathers in your hair, or a white fascinator in a graceful style.

Even though, you're right, this dress stands well on its own, I am a huge lover of black and white and pattern. And I sometimes find that strong meets strong. So with shoe, you could get away with something very loud, like a peep-toe bedazzled with Swarovski crystals. Or...any embellished heel.

And I would probably lean towards making my husband wear a tux, unless you really know the crowd well already.

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Carol

(website)

Veteran

Angie--pearls! right! for the black and white dress. But I think....how about this? Black pearls. I love black pearls.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Both gorgeous dresses for you! I love the suggestions already given.

Joy

Veteran

Wonderful dresses. You have much great advice. Get nude for you shoes for both and be sure they are comfortable for walking for to the car late evening. Remember some accessories like bracelets or long earrings do not mix well with every coat. Be careful.

Joy

Veteran

Both dresses have a bit of sleeve so should be ok in churches.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Carol -- oooh didn't think about pink shoes with the red dress or fuscia shoes with the black and white. I still have about a month for the wedding so lots of searching to do. Also, I do have a long black beaded necklace.

Suz - thank you for your input.

Joy - I'll consider nude just because they go with everything. I will need to do heels since I'm 5'1". As for a jacket, it's going to be quite warm out but may take a shawl if the AC is blasting.

Also, church is at an earlier time so will wear a different dress.

elke

You already have many good suggestions, but…since the striped dress is so dramatic, you could go with that, and wear dramatic earrings, one black and one white.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Both dresses are beautiful! I love the red one especially. I would wear red shoes, but that is partly because I have some red patent sandals with a moderate heel which I bought for a wedding in 2017.
Decades ago for a black and white party I wore one black shoe and one white shoe. I must have owned 2 of a similar style. Helena Bonham-Carter looked cool wearing 2 different shoes one time?!

Carol

(website)

Veteran

elke--great idea!

April

Veteran

No dress advice but we have a wedding in September for which dress code is "formal". THIS means a dark suit and tie would be fine. Black tie means tux, sorry Mr. CG.

Now, this may depend on where you are geographically but "formal" has relaxed its standards while "black tie" has not.

citygirldc

(website)

Veteran

Elke - what a great idea about black and white earings.

Jenni NZ- Hmmm... not sure if I can pull that off since I don't have any white high heels, but thanks for the input.

April - I was afraid of the black tie tux. Hubby does not want to wear a tux but we'll figure it out. We can't even rent a tux because the wedding is out-of-state in Long Island, NY.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I think both of these dresses are beautiful!

When I saw the black and white dress, I immediately thought of the Ascot Gavotte scene in My Fair Lady, where the ladies all were black-and-white or neutral-toned gowns. While the costumes are very over-the-top, I think there’s some great inspiration to be had. Some big chunky baroque pearl earrings, or a black velvet ribbon with a cameo around the neck (borrow a cameo, or get a
one from a crafting store). One of the actors had on a gown with a tall back slit, and she was wearing sheer black hosiery and pointed toe black kitten heels, which was a striking contrast to her black and white dress.

Speaking of Audrey Hepburn films, you might look at the opening scene at Breakfast at Tiffany’s, because some big pearls could be really cool.

That red dress puts me in mind of Julia Roberts in that red dress in Pretty Woman.

As far as black tie, my BF (who always looks polished at these events), will do anything humanly possible to avoid black tie. In fact, as I’m thinking of it, in the 14 years we’ve been together, we have never been to a black tie only event. He has always worn a dark suit, with a crisp white shirt and an open collar.

While I get the guys don’t always want to wear tuxedos, I also see how simple the option is for guys - while we’re having to decide on shape wear and hosiery, and the right bra, and the shoes that look elegant but don’t pinch the toes, and infinite choices of accessories, feeling that our choices are going to be judged all the while, by complete strangers. LOL.