The little black dress is a timeless piece that will never go out of style. One of Coco Chanel’s most important legacies, the little black dress is still a statement of elegance, taste, and refinement. In contemporary times, the little black dress got revamped, upgraded, styled up, and enhanced as many women spice it up with well-chosen accessories in order to give it one look or another.
The beauty and perfection of the little black dress resides in the fact that it can turn into a variety of different outfits depending on how you style it. Today we will take a look at the second best thing that fashion world has to offer: the necklace. Let’s see how to choose the perfect necklace for your little black dress and go everywhere from high-end parties to midday summer brunches with the girls.
1. The Classic Metallic Statement Necklace
Massive metallic necklaces will forever be in style, just like the little black dress. You can pick one in a golden or bronze hue to add a dash of sophisticated elegance to the dress without looking too flashy. A metallic statement necklace in white gold or silver hues will turn you into a goddess at that black tie event or charity ball.
2. An Exquisite Pearl Necklace
Pearls are gorgeous, graceful, and forever fashionable. If you wear a slim fit little black dress, one with a deep plunge, or a strapless one, the best piece of accessory you can go for is a white pearl choker necklace to highlight your neckline, skin tone, and face features. If your dress has straps or sleeves, you can also pick a longer pearl necklace (opera length is probably the best option). The beauty of pearl necklaces is they can be styled up further with metallic beadwork, diamond rondels placed in between pearls or stacked over golden chains for a hipper look.
3. A Pendant Necklace
Pendant necklaces make incredible accessories to any type of little black dress. If you have your heart taken by your strapless little black dress, you can choose a lariat necklace, a Y pendant necklace or a simple one featuring a long chain and a mix of metals or precious stones. If your dress has straps, you can also wear pendant necklaces, like an 18-inch long chain or a situation necklace. There are very well designed tutorials on how to style the little black dress with jewelry, and you should really get some tips and tricks for the future.
4. A Massive Modern Choker
The difference between a simple and timeless pearl choker, the statement necklace in metal or beads and stones finishing, and the massive modern choker is that the latter sports a combination of faux gems, alloys, fabrics, and materials which include (but do not stop at) wood, bone, glass, plastic even, marble, feathers, lace and everything you can think of. Massive chokers go great with strapless black dresses, no matter their length. The only trick you need to keep in mind is this type of modern, designer massive choker should be the only piece of jewelry to wear. You can add a pair of refined and discrete stud earrings, but unless you want to look like a Christmas tree, you should stop there.
5. The Gothic Vintage Necklace
If you are into retro looks more on the Victorian side, a novelty Gothic necklace is the way to go. If you attend a theme party, or you feel retro at heart, pick one of those black lace chokers adorned with metals, brooches, pendants, gemstones and so on. If you want to look smashing, pick a corset type of little black dress and go all the way in with black silk or lace gloves and even a top hat.
6. Multiple Colored Necklaces
The little black dress can take you from a high-end party to a brunch out with the girls, so change your pearl necklace with stacked strands of colored beads, gems, stones and so on. The more colorful you are the cooler and more casual you can look even in your old time favorite cocktail little black dress. Add some stacked colored bracelets for more fun and enjoy a day out with your friends.
Photo by Scott Webb
Heather Carlson
