What does it take to make a dress a smash hit?
Ask Victoria Beckham, who has produced a dress that ticks so many boxes it’s becoming as famous as the Herve Leger bandage dress was in the Noughties. Only a lot more versatile.
The cult dress seems to suit women of all ages – thanks to VB’s five-point formula.
Point one is the ruched long waist. Ruching or gathering from waist to hip is as flattering as it is forgiving, and adds movement and interest to a very simple silhouette – not to mention it disguises any lumps and bumps.
Point two is a clean, uncomplicated, feminine silhouette. The dress is cut like a gently flared, midi-length tea dress, so it’s elegant, flattering and eminently wearable.
This is partly thanks to the third point (a crucial one if you’re over the age of 50) – the draped tulip sleeves.
These cunningly have it both ways: they’re long enough to disguise any trace of bingo wings and, at the same time, split to the shoulder so the look is lighter and fresher.
Point four: the miracle dress comes in six plain block colours, so it has all the advantages of a floral dress, plus modernity and striking power.
Naturally Victoria took her catwalk bow wearing the black version, which will no doubt be the LBD on the social circuit this autumn.
Which brings us to point five of the winning formula: you can dress it up or down, and wear it year round. Not much more you can ask from a dress really.