Shoes

The right shoe can really show off your little black dress. A great pair of heels is a classic choice that always looks sexy, which is perfect for a dressy affair. Sling back pumps are a great choice. Choose black for a classic look or silver for a different look. For a more casual setting, you can go with a sandal or other low-heeled shoes.

Jewelry

There are many options for using jewelry to accessorise the little black dress. Choose jewelry that matches your personal style and the type of event you are attending. For a classic look, a simple strand of pearls looks elegant. A diamond tennis bracelet is another sophisticated look to try. Cubic zirconia or another stone would work just as well as actual diamonds. For a more casual look, chunky costume jewelry can change the feel of the dress entirely.

Handbag

A handbag is the perfect accessory for your little black dress. It adds style and interest, so be sure to choose the right bag for the occasion. A small clutch or handbag works best for more formal events. A metallic clutch adds sparkle to the ensemble. For a more casual occasion, you can use a larger bag with color and texture, which helps the dress become more casual, and also adds more interest and style.

Other Accessories

You can change up the look of your dress by using different accessories. The possibilities are endless. A scarf can add a bit of color and pizzazz. Adding a belt can emphasize your figure and add style to the ensemble. Accessorise with a shawl or jacket to change your overall look quickly.

The little black dress is a must-have in any wardrobe, but the way you accessorise the dress is also key. That’s what makes the little black dress so versatile- choose one set of accessories and you can attend a black tie event, but you can also create an ensemble that works for a casual evening with friends. Accessories make or break the look, so choose them with care, and have fun.

These days it seems hats are only worn as sun protection or to horse championships although the trend towards old world and vintage class is making a comeback. Milliners are still in business and with celebrities like Aretha Franklin wearing hats like her infamous bow hat which she wore to President Obama’s inauguration, the hat trend is certainly making its way back into fashion history. Incidentally, Ms Franklin’s hat is reputed to be worth around $2000, not bad at all for the designer Luke Song who said it took him two days to make.

Of course, if buying a unique hat from a milliner is out of reach, vintage hats are also a good option. For many die hard fashionistas with a love of the old world, vintage is the only way to go and does not at all have a negative connotation associated with ‘second hand’.  There are plenty of stores around that specialize in vintage, although bargains can be found at garage sales- especially estate sales or where elderly people have been moved to retirement homes and their belongings are to be cleared. Don’t be afraid to ask your grandmother or her friends if they have any “old” accessories they no longer wear!

If you’re uncertain about the style, get onto Google images and look up pictures of starlets from bygone eras such as Grace Kelly, Ginger Rogers or Ava Gardner for inspiration. Casual wear has a time and place, although it doesn’t hurt to take a leaf out of the history fashion pages and smarten up with accessories. Choosing the right accessory is as unique as choosing perfume and colognes and just like having the right fragrance, once you know what accessories work for you, you will be develop an eye for finding just the right thing.

Layering your jewelry is a hot look.  Why wear just one necklace or bangle when you can wear five?  Several bead necklaces in different colors are great with the boho look but can also look fabulous with a plain black evening dress.  Make a statement by wearing jewelry in colors that clash with your clothes; green with red, turquoise with orange or pink with yellow. Lots of long, fine chain necklaces can be worn over a plain shirt or sweater or with a fine knit wrap dress for a sexy look.

Every celebrity you see at the moment; whether they are on the beach in a bikini or at a movie premier wearing a designer gown, will be wearing a huge chunky ring.  The metal of choice for these is white, either sterling silver or white gold, with an enormous stone of aquamarine, citrine or smoky topaz.  Of course if you want to copy Paris Hilton it will have to be a 24 carat, emerald cut diamond.

Big, colorful or metallic bangles are the one jewelry item that anyone can wear, and everyone has to have. A fun, young look to wear with jeans and a sweater is several brightly colored plastic bangles stacked one on top of another. For evening wear, a single wide metal cuff or bangle is all that is necessary, or go for the Leona Lewis look with studded leather cuffs worn with a stunning black evening dress. With a strapless evening gown, go without necklaces and opt for huge dangly earrings, as big as you dare.

Talking about earrings, they are probably the most important piece of jewelry you can wear to accessorise your look.  Because they are worn close to your face, earrings will be seen and noticed by everybody you speak to, or smile at.  For daytime and work-wear you may have to wear understated studs or small hoops, but in the evening you can go wild with beautiful silver filigree encrusted with turquoise or jewels.

Indian jewelry is very fashionable right now and looks just as good with a shirt-dress as it does with a sari. Try jhumki style earrings with a Victorian necklace in silver or gold metal with gorgeous stones in bright blues, greens or reds.  Perfect with a plain black dress and a plunging neckline. If you have darker skin or a good tan you can carry off this look with colorful layered clothing.

You don’t need to spend a fortune to accessorise with beautiful jewelry.  Indian jewelry is very reasonably priced and you can also find some real bargains in your local thrift or discount store and there are even thrift stores online.  Another place where you can pick up the most amazing jewelry bargains is on eBay.

Tote bags come with either top handles or a long strap to wear as a shoulder bag or across the body…or often both. All the top bag designers such as Coach and Louis Vuitton make a multitude of tote bags and it has to be the most popular type of handbag today.

At the other extreme in regard to size is the clutch bag.  Tiny versions of this just large enough to hold essentials for an evening out; comb, lipstick, change, credit card, are another fashion staple. The newest designs look a bit like your grannies evening bag from the 60s, covered in sequins in a host of colors with the essential little pocket inside for your powder compact.  Or go for an art deco or flapper look from the 20s and 30s with beaded and fringed clutch bags.  Designer favorites are in metallics – gold, silver and bronze.

In the in-between sizes come the hobos, satchels, bowlers, messengers and shoulder bags. The newest collection from Louis Vuitton includes thick rope handles with knots and leather bags with a multitude of tassels.  Although the usual colors of black, brown and tan are still the most popular, for the more adventurous there are deep shiny reds in patent leather, cerise and emerald green.

The fabulous new bags from Burberry include not only hobos and totes in their trademark tartan, but also boucle wool and painted hearts on bowling bags and satchels.

Mulberry is an English handbag designer that has become famous the world over because of its high quality classic and innovative designs and its popularity with celebrities.  It is easy to see why Mulberry bags are so sought after; their delicious colors, up-to-the-minute styling and practical features make them instantly recognizable. If you only ever buy one designer handbag then Mulberry is a great choice as it will last you forever and always attract compliments.

One type of handbag you may never have heard of is the eco-friendly bags made by Littlearth.  They make bags out of old licence plates, bottle caps and other recycled material.  Littlearth designs are truly different and particularly appealing to young women with green ideals.  Fender purses and handbags are available for just about every State and in several different shapes and sizes.

If you prefer something with a softer look, the Vera Bradley range of bags in fabrics of every pattern and color you can imagine are attractive and capacious.  The only problem may be choosing one from all the myriad of styles. Their classic mailbag is made in a host of different fabrics and is so reasonably priced that you can afford a new one for each season.

The wedding day is probably the most significant day in a woman’s life and naturally she aspires to look her best. As well as looking her best, the bride also wants to feel special, unique and individual. The right accessories can help achieve that perfect look. When choosing the right accessories it is a good idea to pay considerable attention to the style of the dress. If the dress is heavily detailed and made with swathes of lace with a long train and a big, heavy veil the last thing the bride needs are big, chunky accessories which will make her look as if she either belongs on top of a toilet roll or on top of the cake.

A simple rule of thumb is this- the simpler the dress the more detailed the accessories can be and the more detailed the dress then the simpler the better as far as accessories are concerned.

Choosing the dress can be difficult enough for the bride, particularly as her groom won’t see it until the big day and so she will have doubts whether he will love it as much as she does,  and she will probably be inundated with outside opinion on which dress to choose. But once a decision has been made consider the style of the dress to choose which accessories will best compliment it.  Is it a vintage dress from the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s? Is it strapless or long sleeved? Is there going to be a tiara or veil?  If it’s a vintage or vintage style dress then why not search ebay and vintage stores for that authentic piece? Something old for luck remember!

If it’s a modern strapless dress then there is a vast range of beautiful pieces top choose from.  A strapless dress can afford a big necklace or long dangly earrings and a chunky bracelet. Swarovski Crystals are an excellent choice or even something special made with created diamonds- less expensive, environmentally friendly and just as beautiful and lasting as the real thing!

Throughout history there are many famous brides from Princess Diana, screen legend Grace Kelly and even modern power couples like Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise. Not all celebrities hit the mark on their wedding day (Posh Spice and David Beckham for example) but it is still worth looking through Google Images for inspiration. One of the most famous women in history, Marilyn Monroe kept it simple on her wedding day to Joe DiMaggio and still managed to shine like the star she was.

Cribs

There are some innovative baby cribs on the market these days, which will fit with any decor or theme you have for the room. Check out the round baby cribs over at Baby Threadmarks for example. Of course if there’s a handyperson in the house with some woodworking tools, making your own crib is a wonderful way to get exactly the style you want.

Change tables

A baby change table is a fairly essential tool for any mum (or dad). If you are short on space, check out the folding style which can be tucked away behind a cupboard or under the bed when not in use.

Prams

Modern design and technology has created some truly amazing baby prams that can be converted to different styles, used as a portable crib, and quickly be covered in case of rain. For many mums, the cost of these prams is well worth it for the convenience offered,

Clothing & accessories

And of course, once you are wheeling your child around in their new pram you might also want to investigate the range of baby outfits on offer. From themed or matching outfits to baby shoes, something is out there for every child. Specialty stores are a good place to find these but don’t discount the idea of shopping online. With the relatively standardised range of baby clothing sizes, it can be a good timesaver to pick up outfits online without the hassle of leaving the house.