brandy melville black dress Colleen Long Styling a Black Midi Dress

Cut from crisp, lustrous Mikado, this cocktail dress makes a sculptural statement

Choose a true wrap or faux-wrap design with secure coverage at the neckline, and add a camisole underneath if needed

Add some sparkle with sequins or metallic threads for a festive touch

At Buzzfeed, writer Claudia Koerner called a lighting expert friend, who had a pretty interesting explanation: After a minor freak-out (because I somehow saw it both ways at different times), I asked my friend Ben, a post production supervisor in Los Angeles, to weigh in

The alluring open-back design is accented with a tying sash and button closure at the neck