We all know that French women are some of the most stylish in the world, and it seems that Claudia Winkleman heeded their style advice in this elegant little black dress. Sticking to timeless outfit formulas is a French woman's secret weapon, and while this snap was taken backstage at Strictly Come Dancing 2024, I think you'll agree that this boucle black dress with pearl-embellished neckline stands the test of time.
While Claudia finished her ensemble with cherry red slingback heels and gold jewellery, a great option for the festive season, this dress can easily be reinvented over and over again, making it an ideal contender for your capsule wardrobe. Add a black tuxedo longline blazer, black heels, an embellished clutch and a slick of red lipstick, and you have a whole new party look, meaning this investment buy can take you through multiple events with ease.
This elegant dress is by fashion designer and celebrity favourite, Nadine Merabi, who has a long list of celebrity fans and a real flair for occasion wear. The dress in question is called the Simone, crafted with a body contouring bodice that delivers the ultimate fit and flare silhouette, flattering curves effortlessly.
The boucle fabric offers a more wintery texture, but still feels supremely elegant, and the pearl neckline is the icing on the cake. Available in sizes XS to XL, there is still a full roster of sizes available, and the additional beadwork and lurex thread in the fabric spin this into the perfect party piece.
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With a timeless feel and a classic fit and flare silhouette, you will enjoy this dress for many years to come. With a distinctly French feel, the boucle fabric and elegant beadwork add the perfect finishing touch to this figure-flattering frock.
If you're loving the boucle but don't want to spend a fortune, this dress is the perfect pick. The long sleeve and less twinkly design make it ideal for office occasions, too. Style with cosy opaque tights, your best knee-high boots, and finish with a blazer.
This sweet boucle dress looks a lot like a jacket and a skirt combo, thanks to the tailored, pocketed top half. The slim waist belt will help to define your middle, while the polished silhouette can easily be spun from AM to PM.
These pointed-toe, slingback heels will pair beautifully with almost anything in your wardrobe. Wear them with wide-leg tailored trousers and a sleek blazer or your favourite piece of knitwear and denim barrel leg jeans. They feel super festive, but timeless too.
Chunky gold jewellery has been on trend for a while now, so it's definitely time to invest, because the likelihood is that this look isn't going anywhere. It's bold, but easy to style and adds a little bit of an androgynous feel to even the most feminine outfits.
These gold mini hoops are the ultimate staple for daily wear. Team with a gold chunky chain necklace and bracelet for a directional, affordable jewellery combination that heeds the jewellery trends 2025 with ease.
If you're looking to refresh your winter capsule wardrobe, adding a timeless little black dress is always a good idea. Boucle dresses have a subtle Parisian feel that makes them look and feel expensive. The additional pearl embellishment on Claudia's frock definitely ups the ante in terms of style and design, but it's subtle enough that you can enjoy this piece again and again.
For a cosier, more dressed-down feel, perhaps for the office, then onto a dinner event, try pairing your black dress with loafers and tights for the morning, before adding heels and extra jewellery for a night out.
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