Statement Jewelry to Jazz Up Your Little Black Dress

Breathe new life into your classic LBD by adding a touch of sparkle with a piece of statement jewelry.

The holidays are almost over and, let’s face it, we’ve gone a little wild during the holiday sales and are now counting down the days until the next pay check arrives. But there are still parties to attend and dates to squirm through, so what better way to maximize our wardrobes than by adding a little sparkle to our faithful Little Black Dresses with some statement jewelry?

The Little Black Dress is an iconic wardrobe staple, taking you from office to party to dinner date to impromptu shopping trip: all it needs is a little partner-in-shine to really bring the wow factor to whatever sparkly event you have planned.

#1 Brooches

brooches

Brooches aren’t just the accessory of choice for your great-aunt any more – even Rihanna’s been spotted wearing them in recent months. Jeweled brooches are an excellent way to add a bit of drama to any LBD; the lapel (or where the lapel would be on your dress) is the traditional place to wear a brooch, but you could try fixing it to the waistband, the bottom of a v-shaped neckline, or even place matching ones on the shoulders! Combine different sizes, shapes and textures of brooches to create an even more dramatic look. And for a little daytime sparkle, add a brooch to the lapel of your favorite coat or jacket.

The gorgeous emerald stones on this Givenchy brooch would be the perfect accompaniment to any winter party outfit – mix and match with other emerald or ruby brooches for a truly festive look! We love the attention to detail on this Cara pin too: the striped ribbon, the coin and the brooch itself is an unexpected sparkly twist. Perfect for the military trend that’s set to emerge in the upcoming seasons!

#2 Necklaces

A statement necklace doesn’t necessarily need to look like cheap costume jewelry. In fact, they usually look chicer and more expensive than costume rings, for example. A large, colorful, glittering necklace is surely the best way to introduce a conversation-starting statement piece into your party wardrobe – and they look fantastic alongside your LBD. And when the party’s over, you can layer your statement necklace under your shirt collar, or even over a knitted jumper for a more unexpected twist.

chains

Multi-chain necklaces are a great option for a statement necklace since they look fabulous all year round. This Topshop version is particularly girlie and playful with its rows of shiny pink and clear rhinestones, while the BaubleBar one feels more heavy and decadent. The layers of different-sized links and the variations in color of the chains on both these necklaces make them truly stand out.

vintage style

Glamorous, vintage-style statement necklaces make any plain LBD look party-ready instantly. If you don’t have any family heirlooms to pull out of your jewelry cabinet or can’t face rummaging through thrift stores and flea markets to find the perfect vintage-style necklace, take a look online. BaubleBar’s ‘Victoria’ necklace is dazzlingly romantic in both the black and clear versions, and the detail that’s gone into Zara’s version is absolutely stunning – and looks far more expensive than its price tag.

bold

Of course, during the cold and dark winter months the best way to make a statement with your necklace is to go big, bold and colorful! We love BaubleBar’s latest collection of multicolored flowers and gems, especially the rainbow-hued ‘Rainbow Starlite’ and the tropical ‘Bird of Paradise’ necklaces. The bright colors on statement necklaces will stand out perfectly against the black fabric of your LBD and instantly lift your mood. Plus you’ll be able to wear them right through the summer months with your LWD – that’s your Little White Dress – and even your bikini!

Cover photo: weheartit.com

About the author

Natasha Cornall

Natasha Cornall is the editor of Drawdrobe. She's a keen baker and a writer specializing in fashion and beauty.

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