10 Dresses Every Woman Should Own

For warm summer days and steamy summer nights, there’s nothing sweeter than a flirty sundress. Dress it down with cute flats or sandals; dress it up with sparkly jewels and heels. Wear it in the winter with a cute cardigan and tights. Take a tip from Kate Moss and go for a classic cut and color—this is a dress you’ll wear for years to come.

A tea-length (or knee-length) floral dress will wear just as well at backyard barbecues and garden parties as summer weddings and evening events. If you’re feeling bold, go for a big, bright print. The shyer among us might prefer the smaller ditsy florals that are ubiquitous this spring.

A simple floor-length dress in a bold color or print looks gorgeous on the red carpet—see the amazing Jennifer Lawrence, left—but also can be dressed down with flat sandals and a casual handbag during the day. The slip dress silhouette works best on tall, lithe figures. Empire-waist and halter maxidresses are super flattering on curvier bodies. And petite ladies who want to look taller might opt for a solid color head-to-toe.

Sometimes a girl just wants to go out on the town and not have to worry and fuss over what she’s got on. That’s why every woman needs one reliable go-to party frock she can slip on, zip up, and feel super fabulous wearing. For longer dress shelf life, look for details and silhouettes that are a mix of classic and trendy—like embellished necklines, retro-inspired color-mixing, and a just-above-the-knee hemline.

Just in case you ever get called upon for a royal portrait sitting or a meeting with foreign dignitaries—like Kate Middleton, left—you should have a few knee-length tailored dresses in your closet. Plus, a neat-and-tidy dress is always great for mornings when you don’t want to fret about what to wear to work.

Inside every woman is a daring, bright, bold glamour girl. And since fashion is a form of self-expression, why not let that inner beauty shine—in the form of a mini with a big personality? For weekend cocktails to a flirty brunch to a night out with the girls, we can’t think of a better way to show off those gams.

Make ‘em drool—or show ‘em what they’re missing!—in a super-glamorous, body-hugging, figure-flattering bombshell dress. Jennifer Lawrence hits the nail on the head in this below-the-knee sequined number. Remember: It’s not about showing skin; it’s about leaving the best bits up to the imagination.

Sometimes you just don’t feel like wearing black. A good, basic, curve-skimming navy dress will take you seamlessly from the office to evenings out. Just add a cute clutch and fancy heels, à la Lauren Conrad.

White’s not just for summer anymore! These days, a great little white dress you buy in the spring can take you from tan-tastic summer nights all the way through to winter (with the right warm accessories, of course). Think of a little white dress as the new white shirt—a wardrobe basic that’s an instant complexion-brightening pick-me-up.

If you don’t already have a sexy little black cocktail dress in your closet, well, what are you waiting for? Black is a foolproof flattering color. Paired with a sexy heel, a glamazon hairdo, and rouged lips for evening? Irresistible.