petite black dresses Karen Kane Three Quarter Sleeve Jersey Dress - A stunning little black mini dress to add to your wardrobe Juliet 896 Short Cocktail Fitted

While its always a winning option for a wedding or a black-tie do (Rixo and Rat & Boa have some great options here), thanks to the proliferation of Y2K-coded cowl-necks and body-binding bandeaus, backless dresses also stay current

Velvet was another popular fabric during this time, adding depth and texture to the dress's design

Here are the must-have pieces, plus our favorite styles for the formal look

It features a fitted bodice that enhances the waistline and a flared skirt that allows ease of movement

It features a black floral print that is appropriate to wear in all seasons

For the ones who make forever even better