black tie evening dresses Lady - Sami Gown - Black - Floral Lace Fitted Dress Its Stylish Black Sculpted Shoulder Evening Gown 1373 Antique Blue Wedding Guest Dress

One of my favorite go-to closet staples is this black shift dress from Nordstrom

Dont be surprised if you stick with these till youre an old-timer

Model is wearing a Small

Dont carry a big bag: As practical as they may be, oversized totes are out for black tie attire

(Especially considering it was followed by the early 2000s, which were a fashion disaster for all involved.) Although '90s fashion may not be my favorite, that doesn't mean I can't appreciate some of the best looks of the era

I buy the majority of my beauty products from Nordstrom year-round, since they carry all my favorite brands and I appreciate their free shipping and returns