A simple black dress works every time. It looks great on most women and can be mixed and matched to create different looks altogether. In fact, a nice black dress can be used as the basis for anything from a casual look to a formal, evening gala outfit. What you need are the right accessories for different looks. There are plenty of fashion accessories that work well with a simple black dress. In this article, we are going to focus on the basic, must-have pieces to get started.

I’ve always thought of accessories as the exclamation point of a woman’s outfit. Michael Kors

Necklace, Earrings, and Bracelets

There is a way to wear a little black dress on several occasions without anyone noticing that you’re wearing the same dress. What you need to do is add a matching set of necklace, earrings and bracelets. You’ll be surprised by just how much the right jewelries can transform the way the dress looks.

Choose a necklace that works well with the neckline of your dress. If you already have a lot of accents around or near the neckline, then pick a necklace that has a simpler design. You can then match it with a pair of earrings with more flare or accents. The combination allows others to focus more on your face and avoid having too many distractions around the neck.

For an open, sleeveless black dress – such as the Midi Sleeveless Black Dress from PromGirl – you can avoid a necklace altogether. Instead, wear a big pair of earrings. Find a pair that compliments the shape of your face nicely and add a simple bracelet as a finishing touch. This is a sexy look that will grab attention at even the most formal of parties.

READ MORE: Statement Necklace Trend And Tips To Pull It Off

A Timepiece to Match

The little black dress is very easy to pair with accessories. You can also wear a beautiful watch, especially one that has a unique design and features gorgeous, brighter colors. You can go for gold- or silver-crowned watches. Stick to simpler watch surfaces and avoid unnecessary patterns when you want a more casual look. A mechanical watch with a simple design is great.

For a formal evening, you can go a step further and wear a luxury watch to complete your look. There are watches with crystals, gems and even diamonds on their crowns. These luxury watches usually have interesting colors and accents too, which means they can be the center of your look. Simply add accessories that match the watch nicely.

Shoes and Purse

There is no better accessory for a simple black dress than a pair of black leather high heels. It is simply a must-have, because you can never go wrong with this combination. You can also carry a black leather purse with a bit of a gold or silver accent for formal evenings. To make the look more casual, simply switch to a long-strap or chain-strap purse.

READ MORE: Chain Strap Bag is a Chanel Bag on the Street

The possibilities are endless with a simple black dress, but these must-have accessories will help you get started with looking gorgeous for every occasion. Don’t hesitate to do your own experiments with different accessories too. Before you know it, you’ll have several looks that work.