Since Coco Chanel's introduction of the little black dress in 1926, this fashion icon has become the symbol of timeless elegance in female fashion. The LBD as it’s abbreviate is the one item that any woman can rely on to flatter and accentuate her beauty and body. But is the future of the LBD now a LGD -a little green dress. I know what you're thinking a green dress? Yuck! I don't want to look like a space monster. Despite some reservations green is fast becoming the new black. With Eco consciousness being the new kid on the block, even fashion designers are giving their designs the green stamp to promote both their decadent designs and create green awareness. Following suite are celebrities. What do Kim Kardashian, Tori Spelling, Lisa Rinna and Paris Hilton have in common? I haven’t a clue, but all of these celebrities have been spotted in a sexy little green dress.

Green may not be everyone's color of choice, but with a few style tips how to find the ideal little green dress for a cocktail party this summer, you too can exude style and elegance as if you were in a little black dress, only now you will stand out from the crowd, and that’s enough to make everyone else in the room green with envy.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE IDEAL LITTLE GREEN DRESS

Choosing a little green dress is no different from the little black dress; you have to consider the STYLE, FIT & FABRIC, except now you also have COLOR to consider.

#1 COLOUR

When it comes to choosing the ideal little green dress this summer a key consideration is in fact the colour, but off course it's green, but unlike black, green has a lot more variety to offer in the colour department, with shades ranging from blue green to lime green, there's one to suite every complexion. Choosing the right shade of green can compliment you the same as any little black dress would.

As a guide I find that darker complexions are better suited to lighter shades of green like Kim Kardashian's sexy teal dress and lighter complexions like Nicole Kidman look great in darker tones of green.(see below)

#2 STYLE & FIT

Once you've got the right green to match your skin complexion the next step is choosing the right fit for your body type.

• Next step identify your key assets and flaunt them. You can highlight your back, shoulders arms breasts and legs. Pick a style that shows of your key assets and suites your body type best. Choose well-constructed dress generally light wool or silk with a lining are good and quality options.

• Like the little black dress, your little green dress should allow you to move, suit walk or dance comfortably at the party. A knee length (just above, or below), sleeveless sheath is a safe style to buy that always looks great for a summer cocktail party.

PEAR SHAPED FIGURES

The problem for pear shaped figures is that the tops are narrow while the bottom is wide, the key to getting proportions right, is to balance out the small top.

• Chose an empire line or A line cut which will camouflage your bottom bits.
• Accentuate your best assets rather than focus on your thighs. Avoid figure hugging fabrics.
• Show some cleavage of show off that neck or perhaps your arms.
• Try Bold graphic prints with varying shades of create to create an optical illusion drawing attention away from problem areas.

APPLE SHAPED FIGURES

• Style solutions for the apples shaped figure are very similar to pear shapes. But apples are usually when the top and bottom are both proportion, not necessarily heavy.
• Use the empire, waist or wrap dress
• To create the illusion of an hourglass figure use thick belts around the waist.
• Accentuate cleavage and your arms.
• Do wear heels for added height, even if you are tall, this will give you the illusion of an hourglass by being elevated.

THE HOUR GLASS FIGURE

• You've got it, so flaunt it; the hour glass usually flatters most dress styles.
• Shows off your curves don’t cover them in baggy dresses.

BOYISH LONG AND LEAN FIGURES

• This body type is more angles than curves, so accentuate the best of those assets like shoulders, back and neck.
• You can opt for shorter dress to show of those long legs. But avoid high heels; you can get away with pumps or similar low heeled shoes.
• Create the illusion of curves by choosing styles that don't hug the body, soft, floaty fabrics for a girlie feel.

Though there are several gorgeous prints out there, only select green printed cotton dresses if you are going to a day pool or beach party. Choose a combination of bold green graphics like this union jack dress (below) guaranteed to flatter any figure.