The question: What's the best way to style my standby little black dress so that it looks fresh for New Year's Eve?
The answer: One of the best things about a little black dress is that it usually provides good value when you consider its cost per wear (the price of a garment divided by the number of times it's worn). If it still fits, it still looks fresh, making it a true wardrobe wonder. We're conditioned, though, to want a certain degree of newness from our outfits, even if no one remembers those LBDs from last year, so varying your accessories is a good strategy. Adding a thin metallic or embroidered belt, for example, can work, whether your dress has a defined waist or is loosely structured.
A splashy collar necklace could also offer the requisite amount of sparkle while bringing light up around your face. If you're not opposed to covering up the dress, you might, alternatively, want to add a blazer or bolero jacket that complements your LBD's proportions. Finally, a new lipstick or shimmery eye shadow might do the trick, as people will probably be concentrating more on your face and its infinite expressions than on your fashion anyway.
Amy Verner is The Globe and Mail's Paris-based style reporter. Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.