Little Black Dress Shop

The perfect little black dress (or LBD) is a wardrobe staple. To get the most bang for your buck, think of it as the foundation upon which you can build numerous looks that work in a wide variety situations. The right dress is simple and elegant, and can translate from day to night with a change of accessories, and can work as well for a cocktail party as it can at a wedding, date night, or even a funeral.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when shopping for that perfect dress:

1. Does it have a neckline that allows for jewelry? You want to be able to wear different necklaces with your dress to create different looks. Will it look as fabulous with pearls as it will with modern, funky pieces? Can you coordinate both silver or gold jewelry?

2. Will it work with both casual hairstyles and an up-do? A casual look can be defined by loose, long hair, whereas a more formal occasion might require a sophisticated up-do, so you want to make sure your dress will accommodate a variety of hairstyles.

3. Is it easy to care for? Wearing the dress can be discouraging if you know you're going to have to go through the trouble and expense of dry cleaning it after every use, so you might want to aim for fabrics that are wash and wear. Beading and sequins require special care. You may want to steer clear of these embellishments if regular dry cleaning isn't in your budget.

4. Will the dress require a specialized bra or foundation garments? A strapless dress means a strapless bra, and a wiggle dress may require a shaper. If you don't have the undergarments to go with the dress and you're on a budget, you'll want to take that into consideration when making your selection. Nothing is sadder than a beautiful dress hanging in your closet that you would wear if only you had a waist cincher!

5. Will the dress work with a variety of shoes? An look can be defined by its shoes. A dress that works with different kinds of heels and boots will provide the most versatility.

6. Does the dress have a classic hem length? Short and long dresses go in and out of style, but a knee-length or just above knee-length hemline is always in style. To ensure your dress doesn't become passe, choose a hemline that doesn't follow a current trend.

7. Will it work with a jacket or wrap? If you want to be able to wear your dress year-round, make sure to pick a style that can accommodate a jacket, scarf, or wrap so you're not shivering during the winter months. Likewise, long sleeve or 3/4 length sleeves can be too warm in the summer months.