long formal black dress Sleeves Mermaid Lace Prom Dress, Lace Black Mermaid Dress, Evening Dress, Party The floor Cut-Out Long Sleeves Black Wedding

Ahead, see the dress-and-shoe combinations that just always work

This sequin-studded beauty hugs your curves like a true bodycon icon

Our eyes are able to assign fixed colors to objects under widely different lighting conditions

The masterful tailoring found in Jovani designs ensures that the opening falls over the optimal point of the leg, providing dramatic flair without ever feeling structurally unsound

Black heeled ankle boots or pointed-toe pumps elongate the legs and keep the proportions clean, while a structured black shoulder bag ties everything together cohesively

While the black-tie dress code may seem intimidating, it is actually quite simple to decode, especially with the help of our handy guide