Simply Accessorizing

I’m attending a film festival in San Antonio in a few weeks. For the awards ceremony I have been hunting for a simple sheath or a-line style dress that is made of a durable fabric (no polyester or cotton!) is a decent color, and costs around a hundred bucks. Finally, I found the perfect, qualifying dress at J. Crew in their sale, and I bought it.

Then, a creative bug started nagging at my brain:

What if I didn’t have the money to spend on a dress yet wanted to pull together a semi-formal outfit that would be pretty, exciting, and low-budget, $50 or less?

I’d start with the basics that most women own: a black knit top*, or blouse, and black pants, or a black skirt, and black pumps. Sounds exciting, no? Sounds like someone is going to a funeral.

Then bring in the star of the show:

And a beautiful transformation has taken place. By using a black backdrop the gorgeous colors and pattern of the scarf take center stage. This is no place for cheap scarves made from polyester with fraying edges, bought from Forever 21 or Old Navy. I venture to say this look is also pulled off best with a bright, bold pattern, too, not a solid color. Spend a little bit more than you’re used to and invest in an accessory that easily adds pizazz to the dullest outfits.

One doesn’t have to wear black, either, but could stick to a neutral colored bottom, a colored top, and a scarf, or statement necklace that has the same color scheme as the top. i.e. a black skirt, a bright blue top, and a blue patterned scarf, or necklace. Voilá! Trés chic. You are suddenly the belle of the ball and the most creative one to boot!

*To really achieve a more formal look wear a sleeveless black top.*

Anna