Scoop neck frill dress, £370.00 by Elizabeth & James. Available from Net-a-Porter
By Melissa Dick and Hattie Hawksworth
The perfect black dress is all you need to nail the new season, so find your ultimate shape now as this sell out trend works as well in summer as it does in darkest winter. Just swap your sun-kissed, bare legs and stacked sandals, for solid opaque tights and pointed toe stilettos - which return with fashion's fixation for the 80s.
The right black dress should take you anywhere this autumn/winter 2008. Keep it chic and simple and use it as a canvas to showcase winter’s beautiful belts and big and bold jewels, be fiercely feminine in a tailored, sharp silhouette (try Nathan Jenden or Jil Sander), or try a simple shift worn with a cardigan, tights and loafers for a confidently chic and preppy look. Texture is key, around the clock - not just after dark – try jumbo sequins, leather (Acne) or ruffles at Elizabeth and James for the ultimate designer buy. Whatever style you decide to channel this season there's a LBD out there for you, here's our favourites...
