Tis the season to be partying and what with all the pre-Christmas preparations  it is not surprising that you might forget to think about what you are going to wear. But have no fear that little black dress can come back out of the wardrobe and with a few finishing touches be tarted up to suit the trend of today.

Since the 1960s when Mary Quant persuaded us that our wardrobes were incomplete without a little black dress, it has been every woman's best friend, but it's easy to get caught in the trap of selecting which dress to buy and forgetting all about accessorising it until the last minute. 

With the usual round of Christmas parties coming up, it's worth spending some time thinking about how you will make your black dress uniquely yours - as well as discovering how you can dress it up to be worn on more than one occasion.

Jewellery is an excellent way to finish off an outfit.  It doesn't have to be expensive, costume jewellery is often made to very high standards, and even if you don't have pierced ears you can usually find clip on earrings to complete an outfit. Think about less obvious accessories too, such as a brooch or pin.

Choosing a specific colour to complement a black dress is a good way of making it look completely different. You might like to select a colour that matches your eyes or blends in with a bag or pair of shoes that you already have. For instance you may find a shawl or pashmina that is the perfect colour, it can look very elegant, and it will also solve the problem of having to find a coat. You might be thinking that solid colours are the best way to accessorise a party dress, but patterns can also work extremely well.

In short, the little black party dress is a very versatile item to have in your wardrobe but make sure you devote some of your shopping trip to buying those little extras as well and make the most of your outfit.

Plus if you are worried about showing off those few extra pounds read our article on how to look great whatever your size or if you are hosting a Christmas party and want it to be a hit read How to host a successful party