Every woman has at least one favorite little black dress that makes her feel like a celebrity, takes ten pounds off her figure and is ready for either a night out on the town or a relaxing afternoon tea. The little black dress is classic in nature and has the versatility to be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. This is one dress every woman loves, keeps in the front of her closet and practically puts on a pedestal.

But, today with such a wide array of fashion choices the little black dress has been coupled with some questionable and downright poor accessory choices that tend to take away its classic style and make it look like something the cat dragged in. It’s time to give it back the sophisticated and stylish look it deserves. And, knowing how to wear that little black dress makes all the difference in the world.

Be sure to add accessories. Don’t except your little black dress to work overtime. While it’s classic and stylish it can’t pull the look you really want off by itself. Adding jewelry pieces in either silver or gold will give you a sophisticated and polished look while larger pieces of jewelry in turquoise or coral will give you a stylish, but relaxed look. A colorful scarf tied around your neck will brighten up the outfit and your face.

Be sure to wear the right shoes. A black dress can be overpowering and more so when it’s worn with dark colored or black shoes. Red and black is always a great combination and red heels will add interest and depth to your outfit. Although, you can never go wrong wearing black shoes that have flare with the addition of rhinestones or studs.

Be sure to accessorize with the right makeup. While black is a universal color, it’s really not suited to everyone and every complexion. If you happen to be light skinned a black dress tends to give you a washed out appearance. Add some lipstick in a shade of red, dot those cheeks with a touch of blush or bronzer and add a little drama with darker colored eye shadows.

Avoid wearing all black from top to bottom. You don’t want to look like you just lost your best friend and are headed for a funeral. This includes nylons. Avoid opaque black colors and stick to light smoke or coffee colors.

Avoid going overboard with the type and amount of jewelry you wear. Rather than wearing all large pieces, mix and match like simple earrings or bracelets coupled with a large-stoned necklace.

Avoid too much makeup. If you’ve created dramatic eyes, go lighter on the lips and if you opted for brightly colored lips, go lighter on the eyes. You want the attention to be on you, not the amount of makeup you’re wearing.

Avoid going too tight. Black is a telling color and every imperfection will stand out. You want to be sexy and chic looking. Be sure your dress fits properly and you’re not trying to squeeze a size eight into a six. And, your dress should sit either right at knee level or slightly above it.