THE 5 DRESSES EVERY WOMAN SHOULD OWN

These are the five dresses every woman should own.

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.

Coco Chanel

There is nothing more unabashedly alluring than a woman in a well-made dress.

From Sylvia dancing in the Trevi Fountain in La Dolce Vita to Marilyn Monroe in the Seven Year Itch, a dress has the ability to capture all the feminine power and beauty of a woman. There’s no doubt: Every girl should have a few dresses she can wear at the drop of a hat (and feel absolutely incredible in)!

When it comes to assembling your own perfect collection, Nina Garcia, author of the book The One Hundred (which is my capsule wardrobe bible!) believes these are five dresses you should own…

Little black dress.

The most iconic and versatile dress of all, is undoubtedly the LBD. Made famous by Coco Chanel, this dress can take you from boardroom to ballroom with a few simple adjustments. There are a few things to remember when trying to find your perfect one. Firstly, don’t skimp on the quality of the fabric. Secondly, think of the dress as a ‘blank canvas’: Choose a fairly simple design and layer it with some daring accessories. Personally, my favourite LBD is a simple sheath dress like the one above. This is something that can easily be worn with a blazer for work or a glitzy choker for evening function (think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys).

Evening gown.

When it comes to selecting an evening gown, it can be tempting to go for the glitzy options we never get to wear in ‘everyday’ life. Instead, pick a classic but simple design in a neutral colour that won’t be easily remembered. You’ll get a lot more mileage out of it. Use accessories to change the look: Boleros, different heels, jewellery. An all-season fabric like silk or crepe is an ideal choice.

Little white dress.

Not quite as famous as the LBD, but nevertheless equally as versatile and classic, the little white dress is a perfect way to show off your Hollywood tan. The same rules apply though: Choose a good quality fabric and keep the design fairly simple. Wear with gold, silver or nude heels and some bold, edgy accessories!

Wrap dress.

Diane Von Furstenberg made the wrap dress famous in the 1970s and for good reason. This is probably one of the most flattering dresses you can wear. Buy it in a jersey fabric and pair it with stilettos or boots. Don’t be afraid to try a bold pattern.

A-line dress.

This style dress is flattering on every figure, hiding all our perceived flaws! For inspiration on how to wear it turn to the sex kittens of the sixties (Twiggy, Penelope Tree, Jean Shrimpton). This dress works in winter paired with over-the-knee boots or opaque tights and ballet flats. In summer, you can wear it with either flats or heels (the rule of thumb is if the hem is above the knee – wear flats, if its below the knee – wear heels).