[Meta-data: There are a few key ways to choose jewelry to complement your little black dress. We’ll give you all the details on what jewelry to wear with black dress.]
Black dresses are iconic fashion staples for women. Since Coco Chanel popularized the “little black dress” in the 1920s, modern women have embraced them. Having a black dress in your formal wardrobe is the perfect way to ensure you always have something chic for almost any occasion.
Whether you’re creating a black prom look, or preparing for another formal event like a gala, the way to keep your black dress from looking bland is to accessorize. While it’s true that anything goes with black, you still want to be deliberate when choosing jewelry to go with your outfit.
In this guide, we’ll help you figure out how to choose jewelry that will help you shine as the brightest gem of all.
Choosing the Type of Jewelry
Humans have been adorning themselves with metal and stones for millennia, so it’s not surprising that there is such a wide variety of jewelry. Depending on your dress, though, certain types of jewelry will complement your outfit better than others.
Focus on a Feature
In most cases, it’s better to focus on one or two pieces of jewelry you want to use to draw attention to your features. For example, if your black dress has an open neckline or is off-the-shoulder, you might want to choose a necklace to keep attention up near your face.
In a sleeveless or strapless dress, adorning your arms with bracelets adds visual interest to another part of your outfit. If your dress is long with a leg slit, some ankle jewelry will be a stunning addition.
You don’t want your jewelry to compete with your dress for attention, so use jewelry to fill negative space in your look.
Scale of the Jewelry
When choosing jewelry, make sure you also focus on the scale of it. If your dress has a delicate and feminine look, choosing jewelry that is especially large and chunky may look out of place. A smaller scale piece would match the aesthetic better. Of course, you can choose pieces that contrast or complement the dress depending on the concept you’re going for.
A simple, modern dress may more comfortably serve as the canvas for larger and more detailed jewelry. If your dress already has a lot of visual detail — sparkles, sequins, and ruffles, keeping your jewelry simpler is a good idea.
Remember that you don’t want your outfit to overwhelm you. So if there’s already an attention-grabbing detail on your dress, you don’t need to add more. With a more minimalistic dress, you can choose to make your jewelry the main feature.
Choosing Jewelry Colors
Since black is such an easy color to match, when choosing the colors in your jewelry, you should take a few other things into account.
Skin Tone
Most people will look better in gold or silver jewelry, it all depends on your skin tone. If you have a warm yellow or olive undertone to your skin, gold is usually a better choice for you. If you have a cool pink undertone, you will usually shine more in silver.
There are plenty of online guides to help you figure out your skin’s undertone if you aren’t sure. You can also simply hold up different pieces by your face or inner arm to see which colors look best with your skin tone. Some people may also find that they have a neutral undertone, which allows them to wear most shades.
Pearls are a timeless staple that looks good on everyone, regardless of skin tone. They reflect light, making the wearer glow. So, if you want to skip metal jewelry and go for a classic look, pearls pair very well with black dresses.
Accessories
Once you decide which metal works best for you, you might want to choose some precious or semi-precious stones as well. Again, you can let your skin tone lead, choosing cool or warm colors depending on your undertone, or you can let your other accessories determine your choice.
If you want a bold red shoe, then choosing a necklace with ruby stones will create a sandwich effect in your outfit, with red at the top and bottom. This is a great way to look put together for events. Similarly, you can match your jewelry to a wrap or blazer you might wear over your dress, depending on the event and the weather.
Shine the Night Away
At any event, a black dress and some carefully chosen jewelry is a surefire way to look polished and classy. Make sure you choose jewelry that doesn’t compete with your or your dress and complements your skin tone. Beyond that, it’s all about choosing pieces that reflect your personal style and aesthetics.
