How to Accessorize a Strapless Black Dress With a Jacket

A little black strapless dress is a wardrobe essential -- you can easily dress it up or down depending on the occasion, and transition it from summer to winter without skipping a beat. That's especially true if you accessorize your dress with the right jacket. Whether you're headed to a beach barbecue or a sorority formal, there's a jacket that can help create the ideal look for your strapless LBD.

If you have a favorite simple black cotton tube dress or strapless sundress, layer a jacket over it in cooler weather. Try it with your denim jacket and black canvas tennis shoes if you’re headed to school or running errands. In the fall, add a pair of textured black tights, and swap the sneakers for black knee-high boots. Add silver hoop earrings and chunky silver necklace to complete the look. For summer nights, try a hooded sweatshirt over your black strapless dress. Go with a style in a bright color such as magenta or tangerine, or a bold pattern like a funky blue-and-black camouflage print. Throw on a pair of beaded flip-flops or gladiator sandals and you’re all set for a low-key night out with friends.

When you want to make your strapless black sheath dress look polished for work, an interview, a school presentation or a recital, pair it with a blazer. Go for a sophisticated, monochromatic look with a cropped black blazer and black pumps. Accessorize with pearl stud earrings or a pearl necklace to keep the look simple and elegant. A black pinstriped or dark charcoal blazer can also work well with a black dress. If you want a softer look, ditch the blazer and choose a fitted cardigan instead. Opt for a soft pink or mint green sweater, and wear it over your dress with black ballet flats and a delicate pendant necklace for a chic, feminine look.

A black satin strapless dress lends itself to formal occasions, but on a cool evening, you may need a little extra coverage to keep warm. A bolero jacket pairs well with a strapless dress because the cropped style doesn’t cover up too much. Keep your look simple with a black satin bolero, either plain or with a little embroidery or sequins. Add black satin peep-toe pumps, a rhinestone choker and large rhinestone stud earrings for a high-glam look. If you really want to stand out, go with a red velvet bolero or a silver beaded or sequined bolero. Pair it with strappy silver stilettos and a pair of dramatic chandelier earrings to tie the look together.

Give your strapless black dress a bit of an edge by wearing it with a leather jacket. Layer a fitted black jacket over the dress, and add black combat boots and a spiked silver necklace for a tough, sexy look. If you want to be even more of a rock star, opt for a leather jacket with stud or chain details. For a night out at a club, wear fishnet tights and black, heeled ankle booties. Accessorize with bold silver hoops and matching bangle bracelets. Or go for a military-inspired look with a camouflage print jacket over your dress -- throw it on with black peep-toe ankle booties or chunky wedges and a silver dog-tag style necklace.