I'm staking out the "grey (gray) overskirt" position: one of the effects in your inspiration piece that I think likely happens in real life more than in your test pics is that the black embellished fabric is not a "solid" but rather a translucent panel of individual threads of fringe, sequins and space, and the grey below it shows through/will show through when you move. Add to that the currently invisible (grey with black trim?) jacket/bodice, and the whole outfit will not be as monolithic as your tiny "Tim Gunn" voice feared. You are "making it work!"

In addition, of course you can swap out overskirt elements and sashes and jewels (hmmmm....a beaded crystal watch chain....grey pearls....hmmm...).

For the test pics--I like the grey sash. The diagonal movement across the horizontal fringe is lovely, and plays well off the knife-pleat trim. What about some grey knots of ribbon or bows? It's fun to see the whole outfit built up bit by bit.