Audrey Hepburn did it in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," celebrities rock it on the red carpet, and there's no doubt any girl can pull off this classic look. It's good to invest in the little black dress. Versatile in more ways than one, it's essential to every woman's wardrobe. Follow these tips to find a dress that's little, black and perfect for every occasion.
•Flattering your figure is of the utmost importance. The four most common body shapes are apple, pear, hourglass and rectangle.
Apple-shaped
To draw positive attention to the upper half of your body and away from the stomach, go with an empire waist and a lower neckline to show off a little bit of cleavage.
Pear-shaped
Pear-shaped females have a smaller upper half, carrying most of their weight in their hips and thighs. Look for a dress with a wide neckline to create an appearance of a larger upper half to balance out the bottom.
Hourglass-shaped
This shape is symmetrical on top and bottom with a clearly defined waist. To show off your best features, go with a dress that hugs the body's natural curves.
Rectangle-shape
This body shape is straight up and down with square hips and lightly defined curves. This slim body shape can get away with just about anything, including a tricky drop-waist. To have a girly frame, rectangle-shaped females should try a cinched-in waist to create the illusion of curves.
•Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to get personal in finding the right LBD (little black dress). The cut, material, embellishments and accessories should make a dress unique to its owner.
Pick a feature, any feature
Undoubtedly, clothes are a great way to show off your best assets. If you spend hours a week at the gym for toned arms, show them off with thin straps. Alternatively, if you hate your arms, cover them up. No matter if it's the arms, legs, waist or bustline, pick your best or favorite feature and accentuate it.
Take the boring out of black
No one said the LBD had to be boring. Fabric is one way to make basic black more interesting. There's material out there for a personalized LBD whether it's lace, velvet, chiffon, sheer fabrics, solid fabrics, patterned fabrics, leather or pleather. And not only can a standout fabric add interest to an otherwise simple look, but so can embellishments. A bow on the waistline, ruffles, layers, buttons, cutouts, and sequins add excitement and personal flair.
Personalize, personalize, personalize
If black is too bland, add color with accessories. Red pumps and a sparkly clutch play up the look, and dresses paired with sandals and a colorful cardigan make for a more casual look.
Whether it is going to class or going on a date, the LBD has you covered. Trends come and go, but the little black dress will always remain.
