Simple and Elegant Accessories That Will Work Magically With Your Evening Wear Ensemble

If you’ve got a black-tie event on the horizon, a party, or are looking forward to an elegant dinner date; then you may be wondering how best to accessorize the evening wear you’ve picked out. Getting it right, accessory-wise, can take your outfit from perfectly adequate to positively awesome, so it’s worth taking some time to put together a complete look.

There’s no end of options when it comes to selecting what to wear with your evening ensemble; from glamorous shawls to sublime jewelry to beautiful bags – the sheer range on offer can make choosing individual pieces seem a little overwhelming. Don’t worry, though; simply use the guide below to help you pick out the perfect accessories, so you can feel like a million dollars at your upcoming event.

Choosing Jewelry

No matter the style, design, or color of your chosen outfit, a simple, elegant necklace in sterling silver, gold, or rose gold makes for a chic and timeless look. Personalized jewelry is extremely on-trend right now, so select a beautifully classic necklace that can be customized with your name, or opt for an initial necklace for a subtle touch of glamor that can be worn with a variety of outfits.

When it comes to choosing the metal, keep in mind that silver-colored metals look fabulous with black, navy blue, white, or pastel colors, while gold also looks great paired with black garments, as well as those that are red, emerald green, sky-blue or, to amp up the glitz, gold-on-gold is always a winner.

Pearls are also set to be huge this year and have been making regular appearances on catwalks around the world recently. Embrace this trend with an elegant matching set of pearl jewelry: drop earrings, a necklace, and a simple pearl bracelet will look gorgeous worn with literally anything.

An evening ‘do’ lets you have fun or be more flamboyant than you normally may be in terms of the items of jewelry you can pick out. Cocktail rings, large brooches, and oversized earrings are all on the table; be careful not to overload your look, though, especially if your outfit is bright or boldly patterned.

Select a Shawl

A shawl is a chic alternative to a coat and can enhance your outfit as well as offering you a bit of extra warmth on the way to and from the venue.

In spring and summer, a lightweight shawl in chiffon or silk is a beautiful choice; in terms of length, look for a shawl that’s at least long enough to hold in both hands when your arms are spread wide. Velvet and satin are ideal materials to opt for in the colder months, as they’ll provide a lot more coziness for bare shoulders and arms. The length for these types of heavier shawls should be about twice as long as that required for a lighter shawl so that you can wrap yourself up snugly against the cold.

For the choice of color, you’re best opting for a shawl in black, white, cream, or gray, so that there’s no risk of it competing for attention with the rest of your outfit. 

Brilliant Belts

Adding a belt to your ensemble can create an instantly more flattering silhouette and show off the cut of your dress or trouser suit. The belt should be worn on the smallest part of your waist, just above the naval.

A slim metallic belt that matches the metal of the jewelry you’re wearing is usually the best option to pair with a black or dark-colored ensemble, while if you’re wearing a brightly colored outfit, you can choose a fabric belt that either matches the shade of what you’re wearing or contrasts with it; for example, a red belt will make a blue dress really pop.

If you’re wearing a long necklace, it’s best not to wear a belt, and belts featuring a pattern or made of leather should be avoided at a formal evening event.

In the Bag

The right bag is an essential element of your evening wear, and with so many tempting styles and colors out there, it can be hard to narrow your selection down to a single one! A clutch bag, however, is usually the best choice for an evening event or glitzy party. 

When choosing a color, it’s worth bearing in mind that it’s not usually seen as the done thing to match your bag with the color of your dress unless it’s black. Instead, opt for metallic hues or white – and regarding the former shades, make sure that these match the metal color of your jewelry.

If it’s a very formal ‘do,’ then you could consider selecting a bag made from satin, velvet, or silk; if the rest of your outfit features embellishments, then pick an unembellished bag – however, if your dress doesn’t, then feel free to choose a bag that boasts sequins, beading or crystal-work.

Use the guide above to put together an outfit where every element works harmoniously for a stunning evening look, and step out with confidence and in style every time!