When it comes to the red carpet or a black-tie event, nothing less than a show-stopping outfit will do. In an environment where everyone will have pulled out all the stops to up the ante on glamour, fail to think through your choice and you risk fading into the background – or worse still, making a very public fashion faux pas it could take some time to live down.
To ensure that you dress for success, it’s important to decide on your gown for the evening before anything else – then build your accessories around it. Accessories can make or break a look, but a solid foundation is just as important, so be sure to choose carefully and decide on the look and feel you want to go for before going wild in the designer boutique aisles.
From gorgeous jewellery to a luxurious pair of shoes, it couldn’t be simpler to dress up a simple gown, but bolder colours and styles should be paired with more understated finishing touches to stay on the right side of the fashion police.
Contrasting textures can add an opulent feel to any outfit, so don’t be afraid to experiment with faux-fur stoles or bags, silk scarves and feather earrings to create a fun yet utterly fabulous look.
Unsure where to get started with accessorising to ensure you make an impact for all the right reasons? We’ve put together the ultimate guide for those glamorous events you just have to make the right impression at – including the three most important areas for consideration.
The jewellery
It goes without saying that beautiful and expensive jewellery is the icing on the cake for any well put together outfit, making it red-carpet worthy in an instant. But since less is, of course, always more, how do you get the balance right whilst making a statement that’s almost, well, understated?
Pearl jewellery is always a winner, injecting subtle glamour with ease – but to stand out from the crown without overkill, why not opt for a beautiful black pear necklace and matching earrings instead? Los Angeles based retailer Pure Pearls is known for its breath-taking collection of exotic black pearl jewellery, with varieties such as Tahitian, Freshwater and Akoya proving ever popular.
The designer handbag
With every good outfit comes a luxurious designer handbag, and whether statement or subtle, it can make or break a look. If your outfit is understated – for example, a simple black gown – then don’t be afraid to let your accessories do the talking. A studded Valentino handbag will make just the right statement, whilst maintaining that all-important air of glamour – while the Versace Barocco Rodeo Print Handbag, with its beautiful stand-out print, is a more adventurous yet thoroughly regally inspired choice.
For bolder outfits, keep things simple. The Yves Saint Laurent Loulou, in black, is a great choice – while the Mulberry Darley Small will work well with lighter-coloured outfits and shoes.
The fabulous pair of shoes
It’s often said that the first thing people notice about others is their shoes – and while it remains to be seen whether this still applies on the red carpet, where show-stopping gowns are a given, it’s still wise to pay careful consideration to your footwear.
Once again, tailor your choice to your outfit – if it’s bold or risqué, then stick with a simple pair of Louboutins – but if you want to add that wow factor to a plainer outfit, then opt for a colourful pair of Paul Smiths instead.
Accessories can truly make or break an outfit, so be sure to choose yours with care. Rather than going all-out on every possible type, choose one or two statement pieces and keep the rest simple to avoid overkill and maintain that all-important air of sophistication.
That said, accessorising can be one of the most enjoyable parts of putting together a show-stopping outfit, so don’t be afraid to have fun with it – just be sure to bear those all-important style rules in mind.
