The right accessories can transform a beautiful cocktail dress into a truly memorable outfit. Conversely, poorly chosen accessories can undermine even the most stunning dress. Understanding how to accessorise effectively is a skill that, once mastered, will serve you at every special occasion.
Throughout my years as a professional stylist, I've observed that accessorising is where many women feel most uncertain. How much is too much? Should jewellery match or coordinate? What makes a bag "evening appropriate"? This guide answers these questions and provides a framework for making accessory decisions with confidence.
The Principle of Balance
The fundamental rule of accessorising is balance. Your dress and accessories should work together as a cohesive outfit, with each element complementing rather than competing with the others. This balance applies to visual weight, colour, sparkle, and statement pieces.
A heavily embellished or statement-making dress calls for simpler accessories. When your dress features sequins, beading, bold patterns, or dramatic structural elements, let it be the star—choose understated earrings, a simple clutch, and classic shoes. Conversely, a simple, elegant dress provides the perfect canvas for statement accessories.
The Balance Rule in Practice
- Statement dress: Simple earrings, minimal jewellery, classic shoes
- Simple dress: Bold earrings OR statement necklace, interesting shoes or bag
- Detailed neckline: Skip the necklace, focus on earrings
- Strapless/simple neckline: Perfect opportunity for a statement necklace
Jewellery Selection
Jewellery is often the most visible accessory and can significantly impact your overall look. The key is choosing pieces that enhance your dress and flatter your features without overwhelming either.
Earrings
Earrings frame your face and are particularly visible during conversation, making them perhaps the most impactful piece of jewellery you'll wear. When selecting earrings, consider your hairstyle as well as your dress. Updos and short hair showcase earrings beautifully, while long, loose hair may hide drop earrings entirely.
Statement earrings work wonderfully with simple dresses and hairstyles that don't compete for attention. If you're wearing a bold necklace or an embellished dress, choose smaller, simpler earrings. Avoid wearing large statement earrings with a statement necklace—pick one focal point for your jewellery.
Necklaces
Neckline determines necklace. This simple guideline saves considerable decision-making time. High necklines and busy bodice details typically look best without necklaces—the dress provides enough visual interest in that area. Plunging V-necklines pair beautifully with pendants or delicate chains that follow the neckline's shape.
Strapless and off-shoulder dresses offer the most necklace versatility. This open canvas suits statement pieces, delicate chains, chokers, or even layered necklaces depending on the dress's overall style and the occasion's formality.
Pro Tip
When in doubt, skip the necklace and let statement earrings do the work. This foolproof approach works with virtually any dress and avoids the common mistake of over-accessorising.
Bracelets and Watches
Wrist accessories add a finished touch without dominating your look. A delicate bracelet or quality watch complements most cocktail dress styles. Statement cuffs can work with simple, long-sleeved dresses where the wrist is a natural focal point.
Consider whether you'll be holding a clutch—heavy bracelets can be cumbersome when carrying a bag. Also think about the event activities; if you'll be eating at seated dinners, wrist accessories shouldn't interfere with table manners.
Choosing the Right Shoes
Shoes complete your silhouette and significantly impact both appearance and comfort. The right shoes should complement your dress while remaining practical for your event's activities and venue.
Heel Height and Style
Classic pointed-toe heels remain the most elegant choice for cocktail dresses, elongating the leg and creating a refined silhouette. However, comfort matters—if you're uncomfortable, it shows. Block heels, kitten heels, and even elegant flats can be equally sophisticated choices depending on the dress and occasion.
Consider the venue and activities when choosing heel height. Garden parties, venues with cobblestones or stairs, and events involving extended standing or dancing call for stable, walkable heels. Save your highest stilettos for events with smooth floors and minimal walking.
Colour and Material
Neutral shoes—nude, black, metallic—are the most versatile choices, complementing nearly any dress colour. Nude heels, chosen to match your skin tone, create the illusion of longer legs. Black shoes work with darker dresses and evening events. Metallics (gold, silver, rose gold) add subtle glamour without competing with your dress.
Coloured shoes can make a statement with neutral dresses or create intentional contrast. If choosing coloured shoes, ensure they coordinate with your dress rather than clash. You don't need an exact match—in fact, intentional contrast often looks more sophisticated than overly matched outfits.
The Perfect Evening Bag
Your bag should be proportional to your outfit and practical for your needs. Evening occasions typically call for clutches or small structured bags that hold essentials without bulging or disrupting your silhouette.
Size Considerations
Your bag needs to hold your necessities: phone, keys, cards, lipstick, and perhaps a small tissue pack. Measure these items when shopping to ensure your chosen bag actually fits your needs. There's nothing elegant about a clutch that won't close properly because it's overstuffed.
Petite women should choose smaller bags to maintain proportion. Taller women can carry slightly larger clutches without looking disproportionate. Consider whether you'll need to carry the bag all evening or can set it down—bags with optional chain straps offer flexibility.
Evening Bag Essentials
- Phone and keys
- Credit card or small wallet
- Lipstick or lip gloss for touch-ups
- Blotting papers or small compact
- Mini tissues or handkerchief
Material and Finish
Evening bags typically feature dressy materials: satin, velvet, metallic leather, or beaded fabrics. Choose materials that complement your dress—a satin clutch pairs naturally with a satin dress, though intentional texture mixing can also look sophisticated.
Metallic bags are incredibly versatile, working with nearly any dress colour. A gold or silver clutch can serve as your go-to evening bag for years, transitioning across seasons and trends.
Cover-Ups and Outerwear
Australian evenings can turn cool unexpectedly, and air-conditioned venues often run cold. Having an elegant cover-up option ensures you remain comfortable without sacrificing style.
Pashminas and elegant wraps in silk or cashmere provide warmth without adding bulk. Choose neutral colours that complement multiple dresses, or select a statement wrap as an accessory in its own right. Structured boleros and cropped jackets offer a more tailored option that can look intentional rather than purely practical.
For cool weather events, a quality coat in a complementary colour completes your look from the moment you arrive. Black, camel, and navy coats work with most cocktail dresses and should be chosen with the same care as your dress itself.
Hair Accessories
For special occasions, hair accessories can add sparkle and sophistication. Decorative pins, jewelled clips, or elegant headbands work beautifully with updos and half-up styles. Choose pieces that complement your jewellery—if you're wearing gold earrings, gold-toned hair accessories create cohesion.
For racing events and occasions specifically calling for headwear, fascinators and hats become major accessories requiring careful coordination with your entire outfit. These statement pieces should be chosen alongside your dress rather than as an afterthought.
Building an Accessories Collection
You don't need extensive accessories to create polished cocktail looks. A curated collection of versatile pieces serves you better than a drawer full of items you rarely wear.
Start with classic, neutral pieces: pearl or diamond studs, a simple pendant necklace, a black clutch, nude heels. These foundations work with almost any dress. Add statement pieces gradually—a pair of bold earrings, a coloured clutch, metallic heels—that reflect your personal style and expand your options.
Final Thoughts
Accessorising is as much about restraint as it is about adornment. The most elegantly dressed women understand that accessories should enhance, not overwhelm. When in doubt, step back from the mirror and ask yourself: does everything work together harmoniously? Is there one clear focal point? Would removing anything improve the overall effect?
With practice, accessorising becomes intuitive. You'll develop an eye for what works with your personal style and body proportions. Trust your instincts, remember the principle of balance, and let your accessories work in service of your overall look rather than competing for attention.