The following is a sponsored story on behalf of Carefree® as part of their Carefree® Freshness Challenge. You can expect the usual Genpink insights, with some added prizes!

According to Google there are over 140 MILLION results for the search “little black dress”. If there was ever an occasion to use the phrase “ain’t nobody got time for that”, I’d venture to say NO ONE has time to filter through that much information.

When I consulted my closet this evening, turns our I have eight little black dresses. That either means I’m an expert LBD shopper, or I’m indecisive. You decide. Either way, I have some thoughts on picking the perfect little black dress.

Question 1: What is the primary function of this LBD?

Are you looking for THE ONE? The quintessential LBD that you can wear to all occasions that warrant the perfect black dress. Or will this dress be for a specific occasion? If you’re like me and you already have at least one black dress, chances are your next LBD will fall in this list.

Question 2: What is your best asset?

Now this may be a tough question. But don’t think about it too long. Do you want to show off your arms, legs, the girls, your waist, your shoulders or some combo? This will help you decide what shape dress you want to start with. And be realistic. If you’re always covering up your stomach in photos you will probably want to go for an empire waist rather than a shift (more about that below).

Question 3: What is your budget?

I bet you were hoping I wasn’t going to ask that question. Well, I did. Again, be realistic. Let me just tell you there are lovely black dresses in all sorts of budgets. If you’re shopping for the holy-grail LBD,  you can probably spend a bit more. If however, you’re on dress number 9 (definitely not talking to myself here *cough*) you might prefer a thriftier option.

Question 4: What are you thoughts on length?

Your answer to number 2 may guide your thoughts on length. If you want to show off your legs, you’ll probably want a shorter length. If your bum is your best asset, a tighter fitting dress that’s a little longer may do the trick.

So, that brings us to the overall silhouette. After you’ve answered these questions, you’ll want to find a way to pick your best silhouette. For some body types, you can wear (and feel sexy) in multiple dress shapes. For others, you may find your holy-grail silhouette and decide to kick all the rest to the curb.

Nordstrom has a really helpful guide to picking a silhouette based on your body type. I think it’s an interesting starting place for recommendations, but the ultimate decision comes down to how you feel in the dress.

Here’s some basics on dress silhouettes

• A-Line: is fitted at the hips and gradually widens towards the hem, giving the impression of a capital A
• Empire-Waist: has a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, giving a high-waisted appearance, and a gathered skirt which is long and loosely fitting
• Sheath: a sheath dress is a type of dress designed to fit close to the body
• Shift: A silhouette that is neither boxy nor tight.

I have two suggestions when narrowing down your perfect dress.

Number 1: Consult a friend. You can either bring a friend with you on your shopping day or you can opt for mobile phone / dressing room mirror selfies. I have “consulted the style counsel” may times from random dressing rooms. I usually try on several dresses, then pick my top 2 or 3 and ask for votes. May the best dress win!

Number 2: Take pictures. Have you ever had that outfit that you loved… until you saw a picture of yourself in it? Yea, I thought so. To avoid that sinking feeling after a fun event, setup a tripod (or ask your hubby) to take pictures of you in the dress as part of the final elimination stage. Usually this can happen after you’ve purchased the dress, when you’re home and you can add your own shoes and the correct undergarments. Make sure you do this sooner, rather than later, so you have time to take it back if it turns out it doesn’t pass the photo test.

In case you were curious, here is my current LBD collection! Can you tell I heart the LBD a bit? (Sidenote: I will be donating a few of these, which do you think I should keep?)

From here, you’ll have 3 great things to celebrate:

1. You have the perfect little black dress!
2. Shopping for future dresses will be much easier, because you know which silhouettes are an automatic NO.
3. You have an excuse to get some new lovely undergarments to go with your pretty dress.

Now I’m curious, which silhouette works best for you? Also, what’s your next LBD occasion. And… to go with that perfect LBD, do I have good news for you! You could win a $100 gift card to a top retailer of women’s lingerie! 

Carefree Freshness Challenge

Carefree is hosting “Carefree® Freshness Challenge,” an awesome 30 day sweepstakes with daily prizes! Enter and read the official rules here. Commit today to the Carefree® Freshness Challenge – and be rewarded with 30 days of fresh tips. From beauty to style, moves to ideas, and the chance to win daily prizes – the Carefree® Freshness Challenge will help you find the freshness you need to feel confident and ready for anything – day or night.

{images: Little Black Dress Chalk – Dreamstime; Dress silhouette design by Genpink from dress illustrations – Dreamstime; Elysa in various LBDs – photog: very patient husband}