5 Ways to Freshen Up Your Dressy Look

A few months ago I had a professional event to attend. I didn't need a full-length gown or anything, but definitely wanted to look dressed up. I bought and returned several different black dresses before finally asking my very successful stylist friend what to do. He suggested buying a simple black dress and accessorizing it with patterned hose and fabulous shoes. He was, of course, right and the look came off without a hitch.

The last thing I wanted to do was show up for my event looking old and frumpy. Call me vain, but I think special occasions require pulling out all the stops and looking your best. I hear lots of women gripe that there are slim pickings in the dress department for middle-aged women; once you rule out dresses that are too short, too sexy or too expensive, it may be true.

But remember, it's not really the dress that makes the special occasion look. It's how you wear it. If you choose updated accessories, you can turn even the simplest little black dress into something modern and new looking. You can even take something you already own and make it look fresh and different.

Here's how to update a dressy look:

1. Belt it – Belting your waist is the quickest way to update a look, and it can give definition to middle-age spread. You can belt a shift dress, a sheath dress, even a dress that already has a defined waist. The trick is to choose a belt that is flattering to your figure. Most women look good in a moderately wide belt: not too thin, not too wide. I like them about 1 ½ to 2 inches wide. Belts can add texture (faux crocodile, patent leather) , color (brights with black) and shine (metallic gold or silver dress up everything.)
2. Add a splash of color – Head-to-toe black may be easy, but it becomes so much more interesting when you add an unexpected element. I like to carry a hot-pink clutch with an all-black look sometimes. You can add a bright shoe – like red patent – with a black dress, put bright yellow with a white dress or pair a bright print scarf with a black dress.
3. Wear patterned hose – The easiest way to update a dressy look now, especially if you don't like to go bare-legged, is to add patterned tights. You can choose from a myriad of patterns – from fishnets to chain-link stitching – in colors like black and nude. Patterned hose take center stage, so they are best worn with a solid black dress.
4. Choose a statement necklace – The days of having matching earrings and necklaces for a special occasion are gone. Now, it looks the most modern to just have one major element, like a statement necklace. My favorite statement necklace is made of huge crystal stones and is a bib-style necklace. If you're going to do pearls, do oversized (gobstopper) pearls.
5. Add a layer – A tux-style jacket over your cocktail dress? Looks great, especially if it's a slim, sheath-style dress.  You can also belt a pretty cardigan over a sleeveless sheath or wrap a dressy shawl over your dress. Sheer tops or even black lace can add a pretty dimension to an otherwise simple black dress.