How to Dress Up That Little Black Dress

Co-authored by Kalee Hewlett and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: September 20, 2022 References Approved

Black dresses are a must-have in your wardrobe—they can move you seamlessly from an office to a party, or a variety of other occasions. If you’re on the hunt for some new, stylish ways to jazz up your little black dress (LBD), look no further! Take a peek through these chic suggestions and see if any appeal to you.

1

Wear over-the-knee boots for a sophisticated look.

Black, over-the-knee boots add a monochromatic touch to your outfit. These long boots add some height to your outfit, and create a chic, streamlined look when paired with your LBD.
- Make your outfit extra monochromatic with a black handbag and black sweater.

2

Stay cool in a pair of statement sandals.

Gladiator-style sandals look great with an LBD. Grab a pair of black sandals, which complement your dress nicely while still showing off your legs. Then, add a burst of color to your look with a coat of fresh toenail polish.

3

Make a statement with brightly-colored shoes.

Bold, bright shoes act as the focal point of your outfit. Give your outfit a little extra height with a pair of heels for an especially dynamic look.^{[1]
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- For instance, red shoes look great with an all-black outfit.

4

Stand out with bold jewelry.

Add a fun twist to your black dress with chunky, eye-catching jewelry. Play around with choker necklaces, wide bangles, and other daring pieces of jewelry. Bold accessories help spruce up your dress in a way that’s both fresh and modern.^{[2]
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5

Create an elegant look with pearls.

Style your pearls with white satin gloves and round-toed pumps. This creates a really adorable look, à la romantic Audrey Hepburn. Try to stay away from pointed pumps—these are too fierce for such a soft and retro look.^{[3]
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Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Expert Interview. 23 April 2019.}
- This works great with a shift-style dress.

6

Go bold with a glittery clutch.

Contrast your dark outfit with a bright accessory. To really make a statement, pick out a larger clutch to complement your dress.^{[4]
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7

Contrast your LBD with a light-colored handbag.

Handbags are a stylish, on-the-go accessory that can keep up with your LBD. Choose a lighter handbag, which will look really striking against your dress. If you’d like, pick out a bag with a subtle, chic pattern that meshes nicely with your dress.^{[5]
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- For instance, a white handbag with a leafy vine design could be a tasteful complement to your LBD.

8

Add a splash of color with a decorative scarf.

A variety of colors work well with an LBD. Your dark dress acts as a blank canvas, with scarves adding a touch of brightness and personality to your look. Play around with bold, solid colors, or mix things up with patterns for an extra dynamic look.^{[6]
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- Polka dots, stripes, floral designs, and paisley all look great with a little black dress.

9

Slip into a faux fur coat for a cozy look.

Your LBD probably can’t brave chilly weather on its own. That’s where a faux fur coat comes in! This thick garment adds a cozy touch to your outfit without compromising style.^{[7]
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10

Layer a printed coat over top for a bold outfit.

Let your LBD be a canvas for a bolder, brighter color scheme or pattern. Leopard print offers a striking, stylish complement to your dress, while bold floral patterns add a splash of color to your look. Play around with different patterns and designs until you find a coat that fits your personal aesthetic.
- For instance, a blue, orange, red, and yellow patterned coat offers a bold, eye-catching edge to your LBD.

11

Create a chic, simple look with black pantyhose.

Pantyhose help even out your skin tone and provide a great finishing touch. Sheer black or gray-tinted pantyhose are a great option if you’re dressing in evening wear, especially if it’s a little chilly outside. Black tights create a seamless, sleek look that blends well with the rest of your outfit.^{[8]
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- Your legs tend to look longer when your shoes and tights color match.^{[9]
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12

Add some volume to your outfit with textured tights.

Give your outfit an extra dimension with polka-dot tights. These tights add some extra volume to a stylish and sleek LBD.^{[10]
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13

Accent your dress with a belt.

Belts can provide an emphatic, contrasting feature to your dress. Select an accessory the meshes well with your dress—it might be a matching color, or have a complementary pattern or texture.^{[11]
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- For instance, you might add a dash of brightness with a gold belt.

14

Pick out a hat or hair accessory for a formal touch.

A well-placed hat is a simple but elegant way to enhance your outfit.^{[12]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

What can I stay comfortable in a little black dress during the winter?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

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Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Pick out a dress that’s comfortable for you! Not all little black dresses are equal, and some have more style and suitability than others.
Question

How do I look sleek in a black dress?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

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For a sleek look, choose a necklace that fits the neckline of your dress, or pin a brooch in a cute spot on your garment. You can also change things up with a pair of daring earrings—the possible combos are endless!
Question

What kind of jewelry should I wear if I've got an awesome dress?

Kalee Hewlett
Image Consultant
Kalee Hewlett is a Celebrity Stylist & Confidence Coach with almost two decades of experience helping clients build confidence and ‘dress for success.' She works with her clients to transform their sense of self 'from the inside out’ by merging her expertise in image consulting with Neuro-Linguistic Programming. Kalee’s work is rooted in science, style, and the understanding that ‘identity is destiny'. She uses her own methodology and Style To Success Strategy to create positive identity shifts. Kalee is a fashion TV host and appears regularly on QVC UK sharing her fashion expertise. She also was appointed as the head judge and host of Fashion One Network’s 6-part TV show 'Design Genius.’

Kalee Hewlett

Image Consultant

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You don’t want too much going on around the neck if there’s a lot already going on with the dress. Something smaller and tasteful is probably better.