Whenever I have a summer event like wedding or graduation party, I spend weeks trying to find the dress. After accomplishing that feat, the hunt begins for the perfect accessories, which is often just as challenging! I recently shared my top picks for what to wear to a summer wedding and over the next two weeks I’ll be sharing some ideas on how accessorize three different dress styles for summer. We’ll kick it off with talking about how to accessorize the strapless summer dress from head to toe.
Also keep reading to find out how you can win $400 to Aquatalia!
Accessorizing the Strapless Dress
The strapless dress is your best friend for most summer party situations because they can suit a variety of settings from garden parties to formal wedding ceremonies. Strapless dresses are often the easiest cuts to find and come in a variety of prints and patterns from florals and geometical to eyelet and linen. Here’s a few ideas of how to style strapless dresses for any occasion.
A dress with a vibrant print should speak for itself. Choose neutral accessories that compliment the dress instead of overpowering it. A solid neutral wedge works well with vibrant strapless dresses because they will enhance your legs without taking away attention from the rest of your outfit.
Choosing a necklace that is subtly unique will catch the eye of other party guests and make them wonder where you got it. With vibrant prints, consider going with a flashy cocktail ring that works cohesively with the rest of your outfit. As for makeup, a modern and vibrant print makes for the perfect opportunity to go with a bold red lip.
With the classic dress it can be easy to fall into the trap of playing it safe. Instead of opting for the traditional pearls, think outside the box by choosing a bold yet classy bib style necklace. Along with that, pick a ring or bracelet that compliments the necklace without being too matchy-matchy.
A solid color shoe but with an interesting design will suit most classic dresses very well. Fight the temptation to picks shoes that directly match the color of your dress. As far as makeup goes, a classic red lip would work well, though you can always go with a dusty rose color that compliments many skin tones.
When working with a brightly dress you can go one of of two ways. Either choose bold accessories so you stand out even more or downplay the accessories by choosing accessories that more match the ones chosen for the classic strapless dress above.
While there’s certainly more free range with going bold, it can very easily look overdone or tacky. To avoid accessories overload, choose just one statement piece that will definitely stand out and create a contrast with the dress. This can be a Cleopatra necklace, jeweled cuff or even something for your hair.
For shoes, the style you choose will determine whether people are looking at your feet or your outfit. Choosing a bold and equally brightly colored shoe will mean more people look at your feet. Going with a neutral option such as a silver shoe will keep most of the attention on your outfit. You can really go either way! Throw on some lipgloss and head out the door!
How do you accessorize a strapless dress? Which style is your favorite? Of the three dresses, I would be mostly likely to pick the classic style strapless dress.
Want a chance to win the shoes you saw in this post? Well, between now and May 21st, you can take Aquatalia’s Shoe Personality Quiz and be entered to win $400 to Aquatalia.com. The contest is open to US and Canada only. I tried their Yaz Rain Boots, which are seriously the most comfortable shoes my feet have ever been in!
Love these style boards! I’ve always been a fan of strapless dresses. One of the parts I like about myself are my arms. I’ve worked really hard to define them. I can show em off in these dresses. Plus I can avoid that annoying strap tan that won’t go away long after summer,
Patricia recently talked about Have your heard of Top Hatter?
I love the look of strapless dresses but can never wear them because they always fall down, and I can never find a good enough strapless bra in my size (perhaps my boobs are just too big). They look great on other people though!
Have you checked out this dress at American Apparel: http://store.americanapparel.ca/rsa8339.html
You can wear it 15 different ways, and since it can tie at the top, it’s sure to stay up.
I really like strapless dresses, but you’re right, it is hard to find one that stays up.
Courtney recently talked about Playing Up the Strapless Dress for Summer
The patterned strapless maxi dresses are also beautiful. I was eyeing them in The Bay yesterday and they just look so effortless and flowing, can’t help but imagine walking on a beach down south!
For Those About To Shop recently talked about Donna Summer’s death may be 9/11 casualty
They are my favorite, and I’m going to include some when I do my piece on maxi dresses.
Courtney recently talked about Playing Up the Strapless Dress for Summer
Thanks for including me!
Thanks for creating such beautiful jewelry!
Courtney recently talked about Playing Up the Strapless Dress for Summer