26 Ways To Accessorize A Classic Dress

The genius of a classic dress is its ability to act as a blank canvas for our missions, our creativity, and even, our moods.

A broad range of beautiful styling options resulted from my choice to focus on only three key accessories: one piece of jewelry, a belt, and a pair of shoes. (Note: other accessories can be included in each outfit. Simply make sure they are understated.)

Even though I stopped at 26 outfits, I could have continued with this mission indefinitely. The sheer volume of the results should reinforce the value of owning a classic dress. You will see that a simple change of accessories takes our dress from work to play, day or night.

Each sample outfit can be adjusted according to your taste, lifestyle, and on-the-job dress requirements. We can simply switch a sandal for a closed-toe shoe or a high heel for a kitten heel shoe, or even replace a chunky necklace in the same color palette for a simpler collar con nombre (named necklace) design. No matter how many necklaces you have, those might be useless unless you have a custom necklace with your name engraved on it. This type of necklace can be worn with any outfit and can be considered a useful accessory. In light of that, you might consider getting custom necklaces with names engraved on them.

The outfits are cohesive. We will be wearing the outfit rather than the outfit wearing us.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Amrita Singh Adreena Bangle Set $100, available at PinkMasacara; Lauren Ralph Lauren Zabrina Pump $98, available at Zappos.

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Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Style&co. Pull Back Stretch Belt $19.98, available at Macys; ABS Silver Wrapped Black Diamond Hoop Earrings $85, available at Max&Chloe; Jimmy Choo Kitten-Heel d’Orsay $495, available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Clockwise, from top left: Unearthed Necklace $38, available at Anthropologie; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Jimmy Choo Patent Peep-Toe Platform Pump $665, available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Celestial Bangle $38, available at Anthropologie; Belgo Lux Woven Center Leather Belt $42, available at Nordstrom; Kate Spade Copa Python-Print Wedge Pump $325, available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Clockwise, from top left: Hatshepsut Bangle $38, available at Anthropologie; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Elie Tahari Hazel Snake Ankle-Wrap Flat $278, available at Bergdorf Goodman; Media Via Belt $38, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Hatshepsut Marble-Carved Peep-Toes $178, available at Anthropologie; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Lisa Stewart Brushed Leaf Earrings $53, available at Max&Chloe; Stitched & Studded Belt $228, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Wendy Mink Lapis Hoop Earrings $65, available at Max&Chloe; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Emerald Isle Wedges $178, available at Anthropologie; Balmy Belt $48, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Coleoptera Bangle $198, available at Anthropologie; Betsey Johnson Wide Faux Leather Belt $38 $24.90, available at Nordstrom; Jimmy Choo Crisscross Snake-Print Wedge $595, available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Clockwise, from top left: K. Armato Triple-Strand Charm Necklace $68, available at Max&Chloe; Crossroads Belt $34, available at Anthropologie; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Mimidae Wedges $148, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Nest Horn & Coral Necklace $295, available at Neiman Marcus; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Frye Corrina Stitched Wedge Sandals $198, available at Shopbop; Carabiner Belt $98, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Vanessa Mooney Vintage African Glass Necklace $174, available at Shopbop; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Dearie Me Wedges $150, available at Anthropologie; Stretch Tulip Belt $54, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Paul Smith Jabu Wedge Sandals $325, available at Zappos; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Jose & Maria Barrera Twisted Coral Bead Necklace $590, available at Bergdorf Goodman; Curves & Lines Belt $54, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace, $200 $84.15, available at Macys; Lauren by Ralph Lauren Woven Belt $52, available at Macys; Belle by Sigerson Morrison Leather T-Strap Sandal $240, available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Calico Juno Turquoise Studded Hoop Earrings $60, available at Max&Chloe; Motif 56 Tribal Belt $166 $89.99, available at Bluefly; Bandelier Sandals $70, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Ettika Wishbone Medley Charms Necklace $75, available at Max&Chloe; Sumerian Belt $58, available at Anthropologie; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Shaded Portico Wedges $128, available at Anthropologie.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Royal Ransom Earrings $240, available at Sundance Catalog; Striped Raffia Belt $11.80, available at Heritage1981; Jimmy Choo Pierced Weekend Ballerina Flat $350, available at Bergdorf Goodman.

Clockwise, from top left: Jessica Elliot Pyramid Studded Hoop Earrings $135, available at Max&Chloe; Woodgrain Belt $98, available at Anthropologie; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Dolce Vita Quarterstrap Platform Wedge $168, available at UrbanOutfitters.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; ASOS Basket Weave Belt $26.90, available at ASOS; Kenneth Jay Lane Stone Nugget Necklace $143, available at Shopbop; Steven by Steve Madden Rianna Pump $169, available at Bloomingdales.

Clockwise, from top left: Martin Clay Platform Pumps $188, available at Yoox; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Palenque Necklace $198, available at Anthropologie; Style&co. Pull Back Stretch Belt $19.98, available at Macys.

Clockwise, from top left: Material Girl Double Keeper Stretch Belt $15, available at Macys; Mixing Elements Bangle $358, available at Anthropologie; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Jimmy Choo Witty Flat $395, available at Nordstrom.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Wendy Mink Black Onyx Elephant Necklace $80, available at Max&Chloe; MICHAEL Michael Kors Python-Print Belt $58, available at Macys; Steve Madden Egoismo Platform $99.95, available at Steve Madden.

Clockwise, from top left: Kenneth Jay Lane Link Necklace $80, available at Shopbop; Temperly London Woven Belt $195, available at Yoox; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Botkier Alma Flat $225, available at Zappos.

Clockwise, from top left: Lucky Brand Campus Hoops $29, available at Zappos; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Franco Sarto Pandora Sandal $109, available at Zappos; ASOS Pieces Train Elastic Waist Belt $16.14, available at ASOS.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; CC Skye Ghetto Hoop Earrings $109, available at Max&Chloe; Lauren by Ralph Lauren Croc Embossed Belt $64, available at Macys; Chloé Croc Sandals $290, available at Yoox.

Clockwise, from top left: Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; See by Chloé Leather Belt $149, available at Yoox; Yochi Turquoise & Gold Circle Necklace $75, available at Max&Chloe; Prada Cork Wedge Sandal $475, available at Neiman Marcus.

Clockwise, from top left: Tumbled & Forged Belt $58, available at Anthropologie; Yochi Multi Coin Necklace $98, available at Max&Chloe; Flores & Flores Half-Sleeve Belted Shirtdress $230, available at Neiman Marcus; Jimmy Choo Leopard Print d’Orsay Pump $695, available at Bergdorf Goodman.