Whether you're looking for a chic day look, or wanting to party the night away in something super stylish, the Little Black Dress (LBD) is a wardrobe stable that we are all familiar with!
However it is easy to run out of ideas on how to breathe new life into that trusty little black dress, which is why I'm here to help!!
What sets one outfit apart from another is down to clever styling, and I was over the moon when Menarys and Tempest invited me over to raid their extensive array of accessories, giving me the perfect chance to share some of my secret styling tips on how to style the iconic ‘Little Black Dress’!
Menarys and Tempest at Bangor has been one of my secret shopping destinations for many years now, when I'm on the hunt for something a little different I always head straight down to see what I can pick up! Offering a broad range of brands that span across a massive age demographic, they are every fashionista's best kept secret and stock many accessory brands that you won't find elsewhere in Northern Ireland! From covetable handbags and jewellery to hats and scarves, they have it all covered! I still have my beloved tweed cap I bought from the Bangor branch many years ago after seeing one similar in the film The Devil Wears Prada!
“I was over the moon when Menarys and Tempest invited me over to raid their extensive array of accessories, giving me the perfect chance to share some of my secret styling tips on how to style the iconic ‘Little Black Dress’”
First on the cards was to hit the store floor to find a cute and sassy ‘Little Black Dress’ and it wasn't long until I spotted a chic and stylish version from brand First & I. With a sparkly finish to the fabric, a high neckline and bodycon fit, this dress had a modern feel, but with a hint of retro! Even better was the fact it was in the sale; a total steal at only £15!
For this styling challenge I wanted to create three strong, dynamic looks; a chic daytime look, an evening girl about town look, and an effortless fun and girly look, showcasing how, with the right accessories, you can create multiple looks with any LBD!
First & I Black Sparkle Bodycon dress £15, Max & Enjoy Grey Embossed Snakeskin Tote £29.99, Kamia London knit headband £14.99, Bright check poncho £19.99, Equilibrium sparkle shooting star brooch £14.
This look is all about interesting texture and perfectly co-ordinating your accessories. Combining faux fur and wool gives a cosy, luxe feel to the look, while the snakeskin finish of the handbag adds a further focal point to the ensemble! This look is all about co-ordination, with the colour palette of the cape drawing all the pieces together, and the shooting star brooch giving added sparkle to the outfit!
Max & Enjoy Grey Embossed Snakeskin Tote £29.99
I couldn't believe it when I spotted this Max & Enjoy grey embossed snakeskin tote, as it has all the look of a high end handbag for a fraction of the cost! For anyone who is into their designer arm candy, you will instantly see design nods to the Givenchy Antigona, in the shape and styling of the bag and its handles. Perfect for anyone wanting to recreate the look!
First & I Black Sparkle Bodycon dress £15, Guess Embossed Black Croc Clutch with Diamante Logo £70, Buckingham Multicolour Cube Necklace £10 and Bracelet £7.50.
For this look I wanted it to be ALL about the dress! This LBD from First & I is super chic so accessories wise I opted for pieces that would complement the dress rather than overpower it.
The rainbow hues and geometric feel to this Buckingham necklace and matching bracelet provided a welcome pop of colour to the look, while the Guess clutch perfectly complemented the sparkle in the dress, creating a simple but high impact evening look!
First & I Black Sparkle Bodycon Dress £15, Ollie & Nic Delicious Apple Bag £45, Kamia Lizzie Reverse Check Scarf £19.99.
This is a look which anyone can totally rock, and is perfect for a casual lunch or evening drinks! I love finding pieces which are really different, and I instantly fell in love with this super cute apple handbag by Ollie & Nic! Sometimes novelty handbags can be a little too quirky for my taste, but this beautifully made wicker apple bag is both cute & stylish and just like Snow White I couldn't resist!
I then carried though the red in the amazing oversized scarf by Kamia, which like so many of the accessories in Menarys/Tempest is exclusive to them in NI! I loved the versatility of this piece, as the oversized nature of the scarf means it can be worn multiple ways, plus it's reversible too giving you two looks in one!
“Sometimes novelty handbags can be a little too quirky for my taste, but this beautifully made wicker apple bag is both cute & stylish and just like Snow White I couldn't resist!”
It's amazing the difference a few accessories can make, and with stores like Menarys and Tempest, you really are spoiled for choice! I love the fact that they stock so many lesser known brands as you feel like you're getting something really special and exclusive! In world full of Michael Kors, I love how I can discover new brands and come home with something that will really stand out from the crowd!
I hope you've enjoyed this post and each of the looks I've created, it was so much fun raiding the accessories department at Menarys and Tempest for the shoot and I can't wait to head back in store to pick up a few new pieces for myself too! (What can I say, I just can't resist a gorgeous handbag!)
Guest Contributor: The Real Elle Woods
Blog: http://the-real-elle-woods.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook: The Real Elle Woods
Twitter: @LoulouVance
Instagram: @loulouvance
Photo Credit: Adrian Quinn Photography.
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