blue and white floral maxi dress Veda Ruffle Strap Split White/Blue XL cocktail parties Blue and White Floral Layered

"In terms of fabric, opt for something soft and breathable," Garvey adds

Flattering princess seams and youthful sleeve set off a sweetheart neckline

There was a silly British gangster film in 1960, Too Hot to Handle, where Jayne Mansfield wore such a dress, and about which the story was promoted that the movie was so risque a few extra sequins had had to be painted on to the film to protect (or fetishise) Jaynes nipples

Worn by pop stars, skaters, and style-conscious teens alike, it captured the casual confidence of the decade

Firework content Here, Vogue helps to decode the black-tie dress code

Tips for accessorizing and styling a black tie dress to complement your body type: a) If you have an hourglass figure, consider accessorizing with a belt or sash to emphasize your waistline