Today, we’re tackling reader questions, and this one rolled in just in time for wedding season:

I am wearing a dress in a wedding that’s spaghetti straps. I need a shrug/sweater/jacket/something in black that would look cute but not totally ruin the look of the dress. The dress is black with mushroom color swirly/flowery things on it. It’s empire style with a v-neck/mock wrap. And it’s slightly gathered around the waistline with a tie in the back. (from Max Studio – if you’ve looked there in the last couple of months)

I’m assuming for the moment that there’s a reason you don’t want to go with the simplest option, which would be a classic black pashmina….either you want your arms covered for the duration of the evening, or you just want to jazz the dress up a little & infuse some of your own style. But if you hadn’t considered the pashmina, it’s a great investment piece that you might as well own anyway, if you don’t already.

I’m a big fan of pairing a tailored jacket with an evening dress – particularly if you find something in a tuxedo style or jacquard fabric, so it has a bit of an evening flair to it. I think the structure is a fantastic counterpoint to a slinky evening dress.

If you’d like something a little less structured, a kimono is a great alternative. It’s a little fashion-forward, so it’s not for everyone, but the shape is easy enough that it won’t take away from the silhouette or the print of the dress.

If you’d prefer more coverage, consider a sheer-sleeved cardigan – the sheer sleeves add enough of a dressy quality that it works for evening, but it’s still warm, and a great shape. (You’ll find even more fantastic options here.)

And if neither of those rings your bell, a wrap cardigan is a solid option. Think of it as a super-thin pashmina with sleeves. I love that you’ll have the ability to style this in different ways – it would fit the bill perfectly!

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