No wardrobe should be without the Little Black Dress. Here are our favourite classic pieces for the party season.

Every woman dreams of owning the perfect little black dress, one that fits, flatters and leaves your friends green with envy at the Christmas party. Elegant and chic, the LBD is the fall-back essential when nothing else will do. It will take you through a host of diary dates and, choose well, and you could see it lasting you a good few years.

We can thank Coco Chanel and her innovative design talent for creating the first LBD in 1926 as a kick-back to long, layered clothes. Using a colour previously reserved for funerals and periods of mourning, she created a simple sheath style which was cut just above the knee. And despite countless sea-changes in a century of fashion, it is the one item of clothing that has remained relatively unchanged.

For A/W13, look out for on-trend details including leather panels, sequins and embellishments, and asymmetric hemlines. Simply accessorize with fabulous heels (the glittery the better!), gold jewellery and a statement clutch to ensure you’re the belle of every ball.

 

 

  

 

Moschino Cheap & Chic, £595;  Stella McCartney, £975.

 

 

  

 

Finders Keepers, £140; Michael Kors, £165.

 

 

  

 

Tara Jarmon, £265; Helmut Lang, £375.