The little black dress has been the default answer to the party invitation for nearly a century, and there is still no better one. The question each season is not whether to wear it, but how to make it feel new.

Choosing the Dress

The most useful black dress is simple enough to change with accessories and well-made enough to look good alone. Look for a fabric with weight, crepe, wool or a substantial knit, and a cut that suits you rather than the trend: a sheath, a wrap, a slip or a shift. Hemlines from the knee to the midi work for most events.

Ways to Change It

• Jewelry: a bold earring, a stack of bracelets, a statement necklace.
• Shoes: a metallic heel, a velvet slipper or a sharp ankle boot.
• Layers: a tuxedo jacket, a velvet blazer or a cropped cardigan.
• Color: a red lip, a bright bag or colored tights.
• Texture: sheer black tights, lace or a satin evening bag.

Through the Season

One dress can carry an office party, a cocktail party, a theater night and New Year’s Eve, each with different accessories. For a black-tie event, a long black dress or evening separates follow the same principle.

Not Only Dresses

A black jumpsuit, black tailored trousers with a silk blouse or a black suit with a bare camisole answer the same invitation with the same ease. The principle is the same: a clean, dark foundation and one thing that catches the light.

Shop the Edit

• Khaite Medow Crepe Midi Dress, Net-a-Porter
• Jennifer Behr Blaine Statement Earrings, Neiman Marcus
• Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Cinematic Red, Saks Fifth Avenue
• Wolford Satin Touch 20 Tights, Revolve
• Saint Laurent Evening Soft Clutch in Satin, Saint Laurent
• Stuart Weitzman Chain-Strap Metallic Sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue
• Petite Plume Hamptons Loafer in Black Velvet, Petite Plume
• Alice + Olivia Sable Velvet Blazer in Dark Fern, Nordstrom
• Max Mara Satin Tuxedo Jumpsuit in Midnight Blue, Max Mara