Its with good reason that the little black dress (or LBD) has become such an iconic piece of womens clothing; its simply the most versatile item of clothing there is! Follow these top tips to get three completely different looks for different occasions.

What type of LBD to buy
The following advice will work with nearly all styles of little black dress, but some styles are more versatile than others. A knee length style will give you the most mileage as you can wear it for both daytime and evening occasions. If you get anything too short and sexy then it wont be suitable for more formal events or for the office. Most sleeve styles are suitable as you can easily add a shrug or cardigan but avoid strapless and strappy numbers as they cant be worn for smart occasions. Your best bet is a sleeveless style with a solid shoulder/ very wide shoulder strap. When it comes to neckline, choose your preference, but remember you can always layer a camisole underneath to dress-down a low neck, but if you get a high neckline it will be hard to glam it up. You also need to make sure that the shape suits you so if you go in at the middle make sure your dress does too!

Casual day or relaxed office
For the perfect smart-casual look simply slip on a cardigan, opaque tights and a pair of knee boots. A wrap cardigan is ideal if you are an hourglass shape as it will keep your waist on show. Alternatively, layer a sleeveless dress over a three quarter sleeve top in a light stretchy fabric of a contrasting colour. Go for bright colours to liven up your LBD, either with your cardi or your tights but not both!

Formal
For a job interview or a big day at the office its really easy to smarten up your LBD and show that you mean business. A smart tailored jacket in black or pale grey is all it takes to give your dress a more formal feel. If its a low-necked dress wear a light camisole underneath to conceal your cleavage a lace cami will add a touch of femininity to your formal attire. Smart court shoes and plain black tights are ideal, or try shoe-boots for a more fashion-forward edge.

Glam
If youve bought your LBD wisely it will also look fabulous for an evening out. Wear a good bra to make the most of your cleavage for a sexy look and either go bare-legged or wear sheer tights. Patterned or lacy tights will give a fashionable look. Of course you need to finish your look with some sky-high heels try strappy sandals or peep-toes with a matching clutch bag, then add extra dazzle with sparkling jewellery.