4 occasions to rock the little black dress

The little black dress is the most versatile item you can own. It’s a wardrobe favourite and combines perfectly with all other key pieces, including the Perfecto and jean jacket.Let’s take a moment to give it up to the perfectly on-point LBD.

Worn season after season, a good quality black dress is worth the investment — especially if you intend to keep it for a long time.

• Choose a little black dress that can be worn on several different occasions. Keep in mind the fabric, hemline, cut, neckline and fit.
• Opt for understated — it goes with everything and looks pulled-together no matter how you style it.
• Follow the guidelines for routine care and maintenance to prolong the beauty and lifespan of your dress.

Worn with a ballerina flat and little or no accessories, this is your go-to look when dressing in a rush. Whether you're bolting to your child’s dance recital or meeting a friend for brunch, you can jazz it up with a jean jacket or vest, either cropped or long. The more casual the better.

• You have a lot of options to personalize the look. You can wear it with a cashmere Perfecto (or other fabric), and a necklace, belt and heels.
• You can pair it with a black jacket but add contrast and dimension with brightly coloured accessories.
• Alternatively, layer it with a coloured, patterned or grey plaid blazer.
• A long jacket, tall boots and a long colourful necklace will lend a sophisticated touch to your outfit.

Transformed from basic to indispensable, the LBD gives you a serious style advantage.

• You can amp it up with sparkly accessories, but remember to let the dress do the talking. Make a statement with a form-flattering cut and add a sexy stocking and a trendy two-tone shoe.
• Don't forget a matching handbag, which should be compact and elegant.
• The ultimate accessory is a wide belt (for a retro look), or a gold chain looped around the waist. Choose good quality undergarments to eliminate the appearance of seams and lines.

For Sunday dinner or Mother’s Day, keep it simple or use a little creativity.

Simple: Accessorize with subtle jewelry like dainty earrings, then add a decorative scarf if the look permits. Choose flat shoes and trade in bare legs for opaque tights.

Creative: This is the perfect opportunity to try out the adorable knee socks and colourful sweater you bought. You can test the look on family before committing to it for your next outing or event.