When a woman dresses up, she wants to look elegant. Elegance usually implies expense-an expensive couture gown, and expensive jewels. However, elegance can also be achieved at a smaller cost. To start with, instead of diamonds, rhinestone jewelry is perfectly acceptable. An even smaller budget is needed if the elegance comes through the purchase of wholesale rhinestone jewelry.

At the end of the Nineteenth Century and the beginning of the Twentieth, dressing up was a big production. Dresses were long and complex, with, at various times, hoops, bustles, lace and embroidery, mutton leg sleeves, and other bulky decorations. In the 1920s, 1926 to be exact, new era dawned. Coco Chanel invented the quintessential dress-up dress: the little black dress. Starting around this time, women began to rebel against the confining clothing that they had worn throughout history. They decided it was time for simpler, shorter, more comfortable dresses. This was just the time when Coco Chanel designed a soft jersey dress that was sleeveless, had a wide neck, and ended just above the knee. Up to this time, women always covered the arms, shoulders, neck, and legs.

Another surprise was the color of the dress. Until this time, black was reserved for death and mourning. So, in 1926, the little black dress was born. And, while it has gone through many redesigns over the last 80 years, the original design is still as fresh today as it was then.

The little black dress's best feature is its versatility. We started out discussing dressing up with elegance. Nothing is more elegant than a simply accessorized little black dress. For the prosperous woman, a few well-placed diamonds turn it into a head-turning ensemble. For the rest of us, rhinestones serve the same purpose. The quality of rhinestones varies. At the high end are Austrian crystals. These stones, while much less expensive than diamonds, are not inexpensive. They have an extraordinary quality of catching and flashing the light. The next more reasonably priced rhinestones are made of glass with metal powder painted onto the back so that they can reflect light. The dime-store variety of rhinestones are made of acrylic. You may not want to wear acrylic diamonds with your little black dress, because, after all, acrylic is merely plastic. When you dress up your little black dress with rhinestone jewelry, the old saying that less is more applies. One or two small pieces will dress up the outfit. More than this will make you look like a lady of the evening.

However, the true beauty of the little black dress is not that it can be dressed up for an elegant evening but that it can also be dressed down for almost any other occasion. For a more casual cocktail party, wear pearls instead of diamonds. If jewelry doesn't fit the occasion, a fabulous scarf or colorful belt will dress up the dress in an even more casual way. Another way to accessorize the little black dress is with a jacket. This jacket can be black for a monochromatic look or a bright or light color.

Add Your Picture

Article Submitted By: Connor Sullivan
This Article Has Been Read 462 Times

---

Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.
Get the HTML for reprinting the article to your site

Rating: Not yet rated

--Choose-- 0 1 2 3 4 5

Recent Developments in Plus Sized Clothing

Buy The T-Shirt Of Your Choice Online

Finding the Line With Homecoming Dresses

American Fashion - The Different Face

High school proms and Special Education students

Some Helpful Tips in Acquiring the Best Designer Prescription Glasses Online

Adequate Apparel On Any Occasion

Guide To Purchasing Glasses Direct Online

Make a style statement this summer

Women's Fashion - What You Need To Know About Looking Good In 2011

Loving the Spring Weather and Fashion

Guide to Choosing the Right Glasses Frames

Cheap Designer Glasses Direct to Your Door

Add Jewelry to Make Any Outfit Hot and Unforgettable

Fashion Shows of the World

---