How to Accessorize Formal Evening Wear

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(23 Ratings)

Accessories embellish any outfit, and a formal evening is the perfect occasion to go to town. From amber to zircon, hats to hose, scarves and shawls to shoes and slip-ons, consider the occasion and the season.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cashmere Shawl
Evening Gloves
Evening Handbags
Hair Accessories
Handbags
Hosiery
Silk Scarf
Women's Closed-toed Shoes
Women's Dress Shoes
Bracelets
Earrings
Necklaces

Overview

Step 1

Accessorize one (or all) of your most visible areas: neck, wrists and shoulders.
Step 2

Think seriously about costume jewelry and faux gems; they are relatively inexpensive and readily accessible at department stores and secondhand boutiques.
Step 3

Evaluate your formal outfit carefully: Is it simple and elegant or fancy and froufrou? (Remember that a hot pink feather boa will be a showstopper at a ball but will merely attract stares at a college graduation.)
Step 4

Ponder the notion that less is usually more ... and almost always suffices.

Jewelry

Step 1

Choose a matching bracelet and necklace.
Step 2

Get real, cultured or faux pearls and wear them anywhere.
Step 3

Wear a tennis bracelet - such as a single strand of diamonds - for a dramatic look. Or consider an evening watch instead of a bracelet.
Step 4

Try elegant pearl or diamond studs for your ears. Vintage clip-ons or exotic dangling earrings could also work.
Step 5

Adorn your hair with sparkling clips, tortoiseshell barrettes, a diamond tiara or even a fresh gardenia.
Step 6

Find a ring that complements your other jewelry.

Shoes, Shawls and Silk Purses

Step 1

Put on your fancy shoes, no matter how elegant or frivolous, but be sure they are comfortable enough to dance the night away.
Step 2

Choose stockings in a neutral palette. If you want hose with a design, make it subtle.
Step 3

Go with gloves to the opera, a debutante ball or the Ascot races.
Step 4

Toss a shawl around your shoulders; make sure it goes with your outfit in terms of color and texture.
Step 5

Try a lace mantilla or a vintage smoking jacket for "a look" or for warmth.
Step 6

Carry an evening purse or a beaded bag large enough to hold business cards, keys, cash and lip gloss.

Comments

alexew said

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on 9/20/2009 Ooh - now I'm going to be all dressed up with nowhere to go!

Anonymous said

on 8/24/2006 Please make sure that your lipstick is well matched. Apply a lip liner before applying lipstick. Make sure you carry a small mirror in your purse to keep checking that it has not accidentally touched your teeth.

on 8/8/2006 It's quite easy, depending on your neckline you should be able to wear accessories. Let's say that you have a halter top dress, only wear long earrings If you have a V neck wear a nice necklace and stud earrings and if you have a closed neckline wear only important earrings. This way, you will not be too gaudy and people will notice the effort you put into the outfit.

on 8/8/2006 If you have a short neck, please, do not wear: chokers, long earrings, or turtlenecks. These things will just emphasize the shortness of your neck. If, however, you have a long neck, wear either a choker with a top with a rounded neckline, or if you're wearing a top with a V-neckline, wear a long necklace with a simple pendant to emphasize both your neck and your neckline.

on 8/8/2006 Here's a photographer's tip well known to models that will serve you for life:

Women's shoes should be as dark as or darker than their hemline. Banish those white-shoes-go-with-all-attitude, unless you want to look like Thelma the Paper Towel Lady. Light shoes are distracting, and although we wish to parade in our Blahniks, choose the high (shoe) road, no matter the designer. Your eyes (and the rest of you) have it!