There comes a time in every girl’s life when she buys her first Little Black Dress. The black dress is a staple for every wardrobe. Black always looks classy. It’s slimming, it’s easy to keep clean, and you can accessorize with any color you choose. The first purchase of a little black dress is a rite of passage, signaling you’re ready for anything life can throw your way. The right little black dress can be worn (with the right accessories) to any event: an interview, church, weddings, funerals, dinner out with family, graduations, Christmas, a dressy party, or meeting government officials. (You just never know when you’re going to have to have dinner with the President of the United States, really.)

Given the importance of the little black dress, I thought it might be appropriate to talk about some little black options on this first official What-to-Wear Wednesday of spring.

Go for classic. The little black dress is an investment. If you buy the right dress, you’ll get your money’s worth no matter what you pay. The best little black dress to look for is one that will still be current in five years. Don’t buy a black dress that’s so trendy that you’ll only be able to wear it for a year before it goes out of style. Here are a few classic options.

It’s in the details. The little black dress is also a major piece in your wardrobe. Go for a little black dress that is not only classic, but classicly you. The best way to add an extra twist to the basic LBD is with a fun detail. Here are a few of my favorites.

Accessorize. I keep talking about the wide range of occastions for the little black dress. You could dress it down with these accessories. You could dress it up with these. You could make it more fun with these, or more formal with these.