PLEASE help dress me for a semi-formal affair!!

[Anonymous]

So we're going to a fundraiser/gala thing on Sat. night with a large group of our friends. I know everyone has spent a lot of time putting together their outfits. It's not black tie; guys will be in suits and the girls mostly in cocktail dresses.

I am wearing a very simple black satin A-line dress (knee length) w/ spaghetti straps (it's an Ann Taylor dress that was the bridesmaid dress for a wedding I was in).

I'm trying to figure out how to make it more fun/interesting/fashionable/hip/whatever, and I admit I have no idea how to do this. I'm not much of a shopper & don't stay on top of trends. Should I go for a great pair of shoes in a color other than black and some bold jewelry? What color? I'm wearing my shoulder-length hair down, if that matters. I do have a pair of black strappy sandals with about a 3-inch heel that I could wear if I should stick with black shoes.

Any links or pictures are welcome too (but please no $1200 Jimmy Choos - that's not in my budget!).

[Anonymous]

Keep it simple. Go to Marshalls and buy yourself a killer clutch in a bright color or a color that matches somethi Or buy a whole bunch of different sized bangles.

http://video.about.com/accessories/Accessorize-a-Black-Dress.-7Xi.htm

[Anonymous]

I don't generally do bold jewelry (it just never looks right on me), but that's a start. However, I have a few pairs of really great shoes and generally I wear those with my little black dresses. But in general, pick one thing to make a statement with, and go with that. I think jewelry and shoes are best (I don't see a lot of purses that really wow me). I like PP's suggestion of bangles. If you go with shoes, they need to be heels, and they need to be stilettos.

[Anonymous]

I would imagine two out of three of these items, in bold but different complementary colors: shoes, clutch purse, big bauble-y chunky necklace. So, for example--purple shoes, bright blue bag, or red shoes and necklace with blue-red-pink-purple large beads, or etc.

You could also do a fancy bright shawl, like something indian-inspired maybe?

[Anonymous]

What about something like this for shoes?

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=416022&CategoryID=13614

Then you could do a big necklace like some suggested and then a neutral bag or vice versa? I have also seen a lot of cute heels that are strappy in different colors but I do love pumps like these...

[Anonymous]

Best thing: go to a GREAT hair stylist and makeup artist. You'll feel like a million bucks. For a one-time event, it's a nice splurge.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Best thing: go to a GREAT hair stylist and makeup artist. You'll feel like a million bucks. For a one-time event, it's a nice splurge.

ps: You can go Spanish, and get the stylist to put some lovely real or silk flowers in your hair. So pretty, what with spring around the corner.

[Anonymous]

If your dress allows for it, score a bright colored belt.