No better time to look sexy than when wearing a clever little black number! No need to think you have to bare it all or reveal too much... You can find the right dress, which will see you through all sorts of parties... But beware, and take it from a French woman: sexy does not mean vulgar! Nothing worse than vulgarity!

Obviously, not everyone can wear a tight hugging dress. Black dresses these days come in all shapes, lengths and fabrics. Black can mean satin, crepe, jersey, lace, silk and wool... Especially this year, when dresses have made a big come back. From the 1960s short Twiggy style dress to the 1950s movie star full skirted one, there is something for every lady.  

The dress you are investing in should last you for years. I have a few in my wardrobe dating back a long time. They make their entrance regularly, depending on the fashion of the moment. One of them was my mother's in the early 80s and is now bang on the season's favourite!   So, choose carefully. The first thing to take into account is your body shape. For instance, if you are curvy, opt for a soft fabric, which will drape nicely and show off your curves, a wrap dress for instance. If your body is straight, a coat or shift dress will do nicely. For the inverted triangles, a 1950s version, possibly with an alter neck would look superb. For long waisted ladies, there are lots of empire styled dresses this season.  

You might also wish to respect your style personality. The romantics will find a lot of lace around whilst the classic/city chic will manage to locate a neat clean-cut outfit. The dramatics might prefer a dress with a splash of colour or with an interesting hemline (careful of your proportions). The naturals could invest in a simple jersey dress which they will be able to dress up or down according to the occasion.   If you are of light, soft or warm colouring, try to avoid wearing black near your face. Make sure there is enough flesh between your face and the dress and you might wish to add some pearls to reflect light to your face, or a necklace in your right colours.  

Bare in mind those accessories can completely transform your investment. I surprised my husband, recently, by wearing my newly purchased gold lined black lace dress with a pair of boots... the legs did not show, the shoulders did, and the boots added an unexpected bit of naughtiness and made the look more modern whilst very feminine. You can also dress up a simple day jersey dress with nice lace tights, a fabulous necklace or a pair of heels. If, like me, you enjoy being creative and adding a bit of spice, how about teaming it with a pair of coloured shoes? Try red for added mischief!  

So ladies have fun and again, remember; it is not the amount of flesh you show that makes the dress sexy. Should you need any advice on how to choose your next best fashion friend, how about calling a local image consultant? Not only will they guide you in the right direction, but they will also provide you with a friendly and objective eye whilst respecting your taste and personality.