How to Wear a Little Black Dress Wikihow
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Wearing all black might seem daunting since black can sometimes be seen as boring or "gothic." However, black is usually considered a chic, fashion-forward color for both masculine and feminine outfits, and wearing all black is a great way to make a statement. Whether you're looking to create a casual, "street style" type outfit or dress up for a formal occasion, you can easily pull off an all-black outfit by selecting the right pieces, cuts, and textures.
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Pick clothes made of different fabrics to add interest with texture. When you're looking for items, mix textures, such as wool and leather, or sequins and suede to provide contrast without a variety of colors. Since all of the items are black, don't worry about the items "clashing" with each other.[1]
- You can also mix styles and texture, like sheer, flowy tops and heavy, structured jackets, which will help to create contrast.
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Match 2 pieces of the same fabric if you want to create a cohesive look. If you want a classic, fashionable outfit, pair items made of the same fabric and texture, like a black denim jacket with black denim skinny jeans. This creates a laid-back, effortless look that's perfect for accessorizing.[2]
- If you're wearing black denim, make sure both pieces are the same shade of black, or it might look like one of the items is gray rather than black.
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Opt for more fitted clothes to accentuate your shape. When you're wearing all black, fitted clothing will help to make you look more polished and put-together. If your clothes seem to be too big in some places, take them to a tailor to have them fitted to your body. When you're picking clothes, opt for form-fitting pieces rather than flowy pieces.[3]
- If you feel more comfortable in loose-fitting clothes, try to choose an outfit that's fitted in either your top half or bottom half to provide some contrast.
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Choose lightweight fabrics and shorter hems to keep cool in the summer. Select items made of cotton or linen to wick sweat and keep you cool. Keep layers light, and choose tops with shorter sleeves to stay cool. For bottoms, stick to cropped pants, knee-length skirts, or black denim shorts.[4]
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Pair a black sweater with black jeans for a casual look. This is a classic look for any occasion, like a date or nice dinner. Choose a well-fitting black sweater and a pair or slim or skinny jeans. Leave the sweater untucked to keep the look unstructured. Opt for shoes like black boots, oxfords, or flats, depending on your personal style.[5]
- If it's cool outside, you can layer a black T-shirt under the sweater for some extra warmth.
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Throw on a black jacket with a black tee and pants for a laid back outfit. Pair a classic black T-shirt with a crew or v-neck and a pair of black pants in your favorite style. Leggings, jeans, and even dress pants are a great option for this look. Then, finish the outfit by layering a contrasting statement jacket, like a leather jacket, bomber jacket, or trench coat.[6]
- When you're choosing a jacket, look for an interesting fabric that has a contrasting finish from the rest of your clothes. For example, leather tends to have a matte, soft finish, while polyester is shiny, both of which will contrast with the flat finish of cotton.
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Opt for items with cutouts to show a bit of skin and add contrast. Select a dress with a torso cutout to show a sliver of skin and break up your outfit. For a more masculine look, wear a pair of black distressed denim to show some skin on your legs, which adds visual interest to an outfit.[7]
- While cutouts may seem more feminine, anyone can pull them off. Look for distressed tops and pants if you want a more androgynous look.
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Wear a little black dress with heels for a classic, feminine look. This classic look is perfect for any special occasion. Select a dress that falls at or above your knees in a solid black color with minor embellishments, like cutouts or embroidery. Then, pair the dress with some strappy heels, a chunky kitten heel, or a pair of pointed-toe stilettos.[8]
- Depending on the time of year, you can choose a dress with long sleeves or short sleeves. Even a sleeveless LBD can look classy with a pair of knee-high boots to avoid showing too much skin.
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Pair a black shirt with a black suit for a formal, masculine outfit. Pick a black button-down shirt in a matte fabric, like cotton or linen, and leave the top 2 buttons undone to show some skin. Then, tuck the shirt into a pair of fitted dress pants with a black belt, and throw on a black suit jacket or sport coat to complete the outfit.[9]
- If you're going to a more formal occasion, button up the top 2 buttons and wear a black tie. You could even pick a tie that has a small, subtle pattern, like pinstripes or polka dots, to contrast your black outfit.
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Put on a pair of statement shoes to add interest to your outfit. For casual outfits, draw attention to your style with your footwear. If you're wearing a form-fitting outfit, go for combat boots, which tend to be larger and chunkier. For flowier, loose-fitting outfits, try structured oxfords to add contrast.[10]
- If the weather is warmer, try wearing a pair of platform sandals or knee-high gladiator sandals to make a statement.
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Wear a pair of dark sunglasses for a chic, effortlessly cool look. Whether you're going for a classic look or a street style outfit, black sunglasses make the perfect accessory. If you want to stand out, choose a pair with metal accents in an interesting shape. For a more traditional look, stick to aviators or sleek acrylic frames with dark black lenses.[11]
- If you wear glasses, you may want to look into getting a pair of prescription sunglasses, which will help protect your eyes in the sun while also looking fashionable.
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Cinch your waist with a classic black belt to highlight your figure. If you're wearing a dress or longer overcoat, fasten a belt around your waist to draw attention to your shape and prevent your body from disappearing under layers of black fabric. Pick a classic black leather belt in a matte or patent finish that's smaller than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, and wear it so that it's snug around your waist, but not squeezing your skin.[12]
- As a general rule, belts over 1⁄2 inch (1.3 cm) wide are considered more casual, while those that are thinner are considered more formal.
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Add a stylish black hat to mix things up in a simple outfit. Top off your outfit by throwing on an interesting hat. Experiment with unusual styles and textures, like leather berets, wide-brim felt hats, or denim bucket hats. This is a great way to dress up a simple all-black outfit, like a black tee and black jeans.[13]
- If you don't usually wear hats, start with something simple, like a black ball cap, and try changing your hairstyle to coordinate with the hat.
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Accent your outfit with eyecatching jewelry for some contrast. For a feminine formal outfit, choose a statement necklace to draw the eye upward to your face. If you're wearing a short sleeve dress, stack some chunky bracelets to compliment your look. For masculine outfits, stick to a thin gold or silver chain necklace or a watch with metal finishes.[14]
- Jewelry is one of the best ways to accent an all-black outfit because it's subtle and eye-catching without clashing with the color of your outfit. Try fun earrings and rings in a bold color or print, for instance.[15]
Tip: Don't be afraid to wear both silver and gold with an all-black formal outfit. Purposefully "mixing metals" is considered very fashionable, and can be an interesting statement for an otherwise understated outfit.
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Question
How can I stay cool in all black?
Cassandra Sethi is a Personal Stylist, Image Consultant, and the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe, a luxury personal styling service for busy professionals. With over 20 years of fashion industry experience, Cassandra helps people transform their confidence by creating a work wardrobe they love to wear. Cassandra holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from California State University, Long Beach, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from the London College of Fashion. She created Soulcycle's retail business and was the Senior Buyer for 90+ Equinox gyms. Cassandra has been featured on New York's PIX11 in an interview about how to achieve great work-from-home style as well as in Men's Health, Business of Fashion, and NYMag.
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
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Question
How can I accessorize an all-black outfit?
Cassandra Sethi is a Personal Stylist, Image Consultant, and the Founder of Next Level Wardrobe, a luxury personal styling service for busy professionals. With over 20 years of fashion industry experience, Cassandra helps people transform their confidence by creating a work wardrobe they love to wear. Cassandra holds a BA in Fashion Merchandising from California State University, Long Beach, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Fashion Buying and Merchandising from the London College of Fashion. She created Soulcycle's retail business and was the Senior Buyer for 90+ Equinox gyms. Cassandra has been featured on New York's PIX11 in an interview about how to achieve great work-from-home style as well as in Men's Health, Business of Fashion, and NYMag.
Personal Stylist & Image Consultant
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Think of your accessories as a fun way to take your outfit to the next level! There are so many options, like earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, a scarf, your shoes, or your bag. Earrings and rings are especially popular—not only can you have fun with your style, but you can also interject some color or print.
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When you're shopping for your outfit, be sure to try on the pieces you like to make sure they're comfortable and well-fitting. If you aren't comfortable in your clothes, it can be tempting to "hide" in an all-black outfit.
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