18 of the best little black dresses

Autumn collections are flooding into your favourite stores. The most notable shift? After a three season hiatus, the LBD is back as the acme of sophisticated dressing. If August seems an odd time to be investing in the darkest hue, think back to Cannes in April where A-listers Naomi Watts, Emma Stone, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman and Sienna Miller showed just how stunning black looks in sunlight. There’s something perennially understated about black, as if the wearer is too confident to go for the easy hit of tits and ass. The other best thing about this season's LBD? Take a tip from the girls at Cannes and wear it now with strappy black sandals. Here are some of prettiest options I could fine. There are more coming in store all the time …. Recommendations welcome!