Joy Kraft
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Katie Moreno's cowl-necked little black dress from Bebe has simple, elegant lines, a perfect building block for a holiday wardrobe. (Brandi Stafford photo)

A little black dress is your fashion pass to just about any holiday happening - from nosh-and-nog after work to a cocktail party bubbling with champagne.

Just make sure any plunging neckline gets a cover-up from 9-to-5.

"When you start with a basic black dress, you can do a million things with it," says Cathy Tepe, agenda consultant from SteinMart at Rookwood Pavilion in Norwood.

Let the add-ons do the heavy lifting.

"The important thing to change is your accessories," says Laura McDowell, spokeswoman for TJ Maxx. "Keep the same dress or black velvet slacks and change the look in keeping with the occasion with shoes, bag, jacket and jewelry."

Wraps remain a popular accouterment after dominating the accessory market the past two years. "A pretty shawl instantly adds glamour to an outfit," says McDowell.

Other luxe options include silk jackets, faux shawls, fur-trimmed and jewel-encrusted sweaters. Oriental prints in gold, Christmas red and black are popular. And the metallics always shine in the evening - gold and silver are joined by bronze, copper and pewter shades.

"The other big surprise we're seeing is unexpected colors - blues and pinks and celadon green," says MacDowell.

Other pieces that mix and match to transform the little black dress are hosiery, shoes, earrings and bags.

DRESS EXHIBIT

The Columbus Museum of Art explores the drama and practicality of the black dress through history with Not-So-Basic BLACK: Powerful Presence in 20th-Century DRESS, a tongue-twister of an exhibit through Jan. 4. The 70 garments cover designs from the '20s through the turbulent '60s and beyond with designs from Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and Chanel, as well as Cincinnati native John Bartlett. $6 adults, $4 seniors, students. 480 E. Broad St., (614) 221-4848; Web site.

"There's never been more of a variety than now in hosiery," says MacDowell, "from floral prints to flirty fishnets."

And the right chandelier earrings alone can give a day-dress a nightlife in the spotlight.

After work, keep the bag small, the heels high and sexy.

We asked Katie Moreno, 25, of Latonia, who favors classic looks because of their long life, to lend us her favorite black number so we could track down some additions to cover the holiday party circuit - a Sunday brunch, an after-work party and a cocktail party.

Brunch bunch

The Alligator Purse in Hyde Park is a little shop that packs a big fashion punch when it comes to accessories you won't find anywhere else. This shawl by Suss Design is a sophisticated version of a '60s serape in whisper-light wool and rayon ($174) that pairs beautifully with Bettye Muller Italian brocade kitten-heels ($297) and a satin-trim signed bag by Mary Norton of Charleston ($561). 3516 Erie Ave.

After-work party

This jean jacket has left ranch life in the dust and is headed for a night on the town in a polyester/nylon/cotton Oriental print ($29.99 TJ Maxx). It can even go to work during the day, then step out when paired with open-toe sueded strappy heels with rhinestone glitter trim ($44.90 SteinMart) and rhinestone trim satin clutch ($14.99 SteinMart).

Cocktail party

This five-button Indian silk jacket with its jeweled paisley beading and flat crystal buttons ($69.99) can party all night if partnered with bronze-tone slip-on heels ($20.93), a copper bead and fringe bag ($19.99) and pearlized crystal beaded "antique" necklace ($14.99). All from SteinMart.