‘Little Black Dress’ Is Just The Ticket
‘Tis the season to celebrate! Statistics tell us the average woman will attend at least three parties or events during the holidays where she is expected to wear a dressy outfit.
If you will be attending more than one gathering between now and New Year’s Eve, you may be wondering what to wear. Unless you win the lottery and can afford a new outfit for each event, I suggest doing what women have done for years when faced with this dilemma - get a classic little black dress.
The definition of a “little black dress” can be somewhat mysterious. Even though it seems self-explanatory, every year fashion designers and publications tout the arrival of the latest updates to this fashion classic. One year it’s long and flowing, the next it’s short and tight. It comes in color variations of pewter or gun metal. It comes beaded, in lace or in velvet.
The best buy is to stick with a plain, wool crepe black dress with short sleeves. Look for a princess-line design. It’s the most flattering for all body types and will look stylish for years. The dress should be about knee length. You might want to go a little shorter if you are petite, slightly longer it you are especially tall or over a size 16.
The most important consideration is that this dress should have no adornments. The more basic the design, the longer it will look fashionable. All you need for a different look is change the accessories, and you have what looks like a new outfit without spending a fortune. You can pay as little as $28 or as much as $500 for this dress. Shop around until you find one that is truly a classic you can wear for years to come.
What should you look for to give your little classic the flair to make it au courant this season? There a few items that are fairly inexpensive and very striking that will make you the hit at any event.
Start with shimmery panty hose, especially for a New Year’s Eve party. For as little as $7.50 you can add sophistication without breaking the bank.
Another elegant touch that’s all the rage this season is a dramatic cut-velvet scarf, available at most major department stores and starting at about $30. Choose one in black to keep with the ultrachic look, or jazz up your ensemble with rich sapphire, jade, scarlet or chocolate. If you decide to go with a color other than black, make sure you follow through and have at least two other accessories in the same color.
The general rule to follow for any accent color is that is should show up at least three times for it to come off looking right. That means nails, lips and a scarf in the same hue will pull your outfit together.
The next must-have for holiday dressing is a velvet or beaded evening bag. These little clutches can be found for as little at $18 but should be only large enough to carry the bare essentials, such as lip color, a small wallet and a comb.
Don’t plan to bring along the cell phone and palmtop computer. Remember, this is a party!
Nails and lips should have a touch of glitter. All the major lines are offering seasonal specials with gold or silver undertones to add sparkle to your outfit. Prices range from $1.50 to $16 per item.
Unless you plan to wear this color often, buy the least expensive product and use the savings for other baubles.
When choosing a nail color, it’s best to avoid going with a straight gold or silver enamel. It tends to look a little harsh.
The same can be said for lip color. A little is nice; too much can look trashy.
Finally, the shoes. They should definitely be heels with an attitude. Look for patent leather with rhinestone clips, satin dyed to match your other accessories, or sequins. Black is probably the best choice in color but, for a really drop-dead look, don’t be afraid to move out of the comfort zone and try red or pewter.
Prices range from $20 to $200. Consider how often you plan to wear these shoes before spending too much on this item.
By choosing a classic little black dress and accessorizing with the latest trendy items, you’ll have an outfit that can be worn in a number of settings season after season. Simply change the accessories to suit the occasion for a totally new look.
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