How to Accessorize Your Little Black Dress

The little black dress achieved notoriety when Audrey Hepburn dazzled fans in a floor-length black dress during the opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany's. However, the little black dress' creation is attributed to designers of the 1920s, including Coco Chanel. So, how do you accessorize the classic little black dress with so much history behind it?

The little black dress is simultaneously a safe yet breathtaking choice for any occasion. Here are our favorite ways to accessorize your little black dress.

Determine Your Body Type

Accessorizing a little black dress begins with determining your body type and the type of silhouette you’d like. No matter the jewelry or accessories you use to dress up your little black dress, it's essential to consider what goes best with your dress' cut and your body type. 

If you are more pear-shaped, than A-line and empire dresses will emphasize your top half while also showing off your bottom half. Larger necklaces with gemstones or multiple layers of chains could also help accentuate your top half.

Alternatively, if you are more of an inverted triangle shape, then you'll want to emphasize your bottom half over your top. This categorizes individuals with broader shoulders or larger chests. 

For these individuals, a decorated belt or chain around the waist can bring attention to your hips and further pull together your look.

Consider which accessories can emphasize parts of your body that are not usually evident. Choosing accessories in this way is less about changing your body shape and more about balancing your polished glow from head to toe.

Focus Points with your Little Black Dress

Maybe your little black dress is a show-stopper. But not all little black dresses are trying to bask in the spotlight. Sometimes a completely black dress can be the perfect canvas for beautiful scarves, glowing jewelry pieces, unique jackets, and cozy cardigans. 

When accessorizing your little black dress, it's crucial to craft your message. What do you want to portray about yourself with your outfit? Are you trying to bedazzle an audience, or match your social group? Appear sleek and sophisticated, or cute and beautiful?

Explore additional items of clothing and fashion accessories that match the vibe you're going for. A padded-shoulder blazer, paired with a little black dress, can be the perfect sophisticated outfit for a holiday party or even a formal speech.

A pocketbook can pair with an updo and heels to make the perfect show-stopper on the runway or sorority photoshoot. A shoulder bag and flats can meld into a cute outfit to explore the town in.

Finally, layering your little black dress over a turtleneck or sweater can be the ultimate cozy and cute option, particularly in wintertime. With the flexibility of merging colors with black, the possibilities are endless.

Flexibility from Nothing: History of the Little Black Dress

The little black dress didn't always have a classy reputation. This was documented in Cassel's Household Guide, self-titled the "encyclopedia of domestic and social economy," in 1880.

According to the guide, high-class ladies of the era often passed down their worn dresses to their maids. But this resulted in maids wearing high-class garments and even being confused for higher class citizens at times.

Of course, this was not preferable for those of higher rank. Cassel's guide had one solution: black or other dark-colored silk was acceptable as a hand-me-down for maids. 

With the acceptability of black silk for maids and thus the working class, black dresses were slowly on the rise. Slowly but surely, little black dresses became popular and the staple of fashion we know today.

Learn more about how to accessorize the little black dress and other evening wear by exploring all our blogs. Ready to find the little black dress of your star-struck dreams or cozy vacation? Schedule a dress fitting at our Brooklyn location and shop Effie's black dress collection and more today