This Cinderella won’t be going to the ball; but you can in that iconic Little Black Dress

I have rather selfishly been putting off thinking about the LBD, mainly because like the wicked step-mothers, I am raging with jealousy about the fact that I have absolutely no need for anything so formal. Ok so I am not about to poison all the apples in Sainsbury’s to take out those of you with Christmas dos, but it is nice to get dressed up once in a while and to be transported from flipping chores to fairy-tale. Apart from going to the odd wedding, I can’t remember the last time I needed a cocktail dress, never mind a black-tie dress. It is trousers or jeans the whole way for me. But that’s just me and I appreciate that there are plenty of ladies out there lucky enough to be going to a swanky work do. So I have put my jealousy aside, and this one is for all of you who are searching for an outfit for any upcoming Christmas bashes.

For the super duper lucky few, there may well be a full on black tie event in the diary over the coming weeks so here are some red carpet worthy numbers for you. Move over Lady Mary and the Downton crew, these dresses are elegance personified.

Now this is my kind of dress – sexy without being slutty in the slightest. Pontina Embellished Maxi Dress £249 Ted Baker. If you are tummy-conscious then this type of detailing is perfect plus with the lovely embellishment at the neckline, nobody will be looking anywhere else.

 

If this is a bit too demur for you then a thigh split is always a nice counterbalance to the rest of the body being covered up. This Alondra Maxi Dress £245 Reiss will show off a good pair of legs (or at least one of them) and the sheer panels err on the right side of exposure.

This dress is all about what is going on behind thanks to the beautiful lace and embellishment detailing at the back: Margot Necklace Dress £229 Monsoon.

So from red carpet to cocktail and there is a lot more out there to choose from. I love a bit of sparkle so a sequinned number would definitely be top of my list. This one from Jaeger £225 is lovely.

However, if you don’t want to break the bank then go for something like this from Warehouse which is a fraction of the price at £55. Just beware if you are tall, then this will not be for you as it will probably not cover you bottom, never mind your legs. Warehouse is definitely a shorter person’s dress shop.

I love the Cinderella-like quality of this Damii Embellished Full skirted tulle dress £349 Ted Baker. Pretty, feminine and good for some serious sashaying on the dance-floor. Fit and flare dresses are great for curvy types as they highlight the waist. If you are a bit more athletic they also work because they create the illusion of curves, so bring out your inner Marilyn. Hover near the hand dryer/air-conditioning unit for the full billowing skirt effect.

From volume to sleek and sophisticated with the Dardee embellished Midi dress £179 Ted Baker. Pop a jacket on with this for the daytime and it could be a 9 – 9 option.

Another good one that wouldn’t look out of place at your desk is this very flattering Textured Izzey Bodycon Dress £130 from Whistles. Add a bit of bling, some heels and a clutch for the evening and you will be good to go.

Tunics work for all body shapes and this Cornelli trim dress £55 from Warehouse is understated so you could have some fun with your shoes and bag.

If it is trend you are after then velvet is spot on this season. This Velvet Dress £149 from Jigsaw looks cool, contemporary and effortless. The fabric mixing makes, what can be a bit of a mumsy looking fabrication, look modern.

Lace is also a big trend but also looks timeless. If it is lace you are after, then you might want to check out my previous blog on lace, as there is a lot out there to choose from but this Lace Evening Dress £179 from Jigsaw is a classic that would work across the board.

If you just can’t quite find what you are looking for out there in the shops and you have the cash to splash, then getting something made specifically for you could be the way forward. If that is the case, then check out Emma Hunt London for her Little Black Dress Collection as well as bespoke designs. All the styles are made from silk (inside and out) and can either be made to order (to standard sizes) or to your specific measurements and requirements. Visit http://www.emmahunt.co.uk for more details but her beautiful showroom is every big girl’s dream – a wonderfully curated dressing up box full of her to-die-for creations.

Oh the irony: mid-way through writing this post, I had an urgent call from the bathroom to go and help my daughter. Back to earth with a bump (or should I say dump- sorry!) This Cinderella won’t be going to the ball but still, it is nice to look at pretty things.