Petite dress © South

The little black dress (LBD) is an institution in itself. It’s as popular with women now as it was back in 1920, when Chanel first designed it. With a little change here and there to keep up with the times, this is one little number worthy of your investment.

Chic, sophisticated and able to be worn to almost any occasion, the LBD is the one garment that any woman in the world can wear and the moment they have it on, they become Audrey Hepburn - minus the pearls and cigarette holder.

The lbd is a blank canvas to add your own style to and - providing the momentous occasion is not a funeral – you can transform it into night-time glamour with some sparkly earrings and beautiful heeled sandals.

The LBD is synonomously short. Long dresses in black may start to look a little Addams Family if you aren’t careful, unless of course it’s full on red carpet material. At this precise moment in time, I don’t believe I have ever owned more dresses; my wardrobe is stuffed full with them as they seem to be in fashion in many styles.

Long dresses are abundant and look fantastic when they’re toned down with some gladiator sandals. Short dresses, however, can come out to play day or night, casual, formal or party, the list is endless. Right now, sequin dresses are in, thanks to Kate Moss, prom dresses thanks to SJP and ruche dresses are all the rage, thanks to Victoria Beckham. (Actually scrap that last one, I won’t thank her, the ruche shows off every bump and bulge.)

It seems women are embracing their feminine side as both short dresses and long dresses are booming in popularity. Let’s just pray corsets, bloomers, hats and umbrellas don’t make a reappearance!

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