The little black dress has been a wardrobe staple for women since Coco Chanel introduced the concept 80 years ago. Its versatility can take it from the corporate office with a jacket and pumps to an evening affair with strappy heels, sparkling jewelry and long gloves replacing the jacket and pumps.

Although appropriate in every season, the little black dress always turns up most frequently at galas and get-togethers during the holidays. It conveys elegance, sophistication, timelessness and a certain sexiness.

And with the dress being one of the most important garments in fashion collections this season, choices abound.

"There's never been, as far as I can remember, such an amazing variety of black dresses for everybody," said Susan Kaufman. "Different shapes, different fabrics, different price points."

Here are a few tips for working the look this winter:

Choose a luxurious fabric such as charmeuse, silk faille, duchess satin or velvet. The more comfortable you feel, the more confidence you'll project.

The knee-length, sleeveless sheath is a silhouette that never goes out of style.

Dress up a simple frock, but minimize accessories for a more detailed dress.

Be daring with a dramatic pop of color, perhaps red shoes or a silver clutch.

Don't be afraid to show off great legs. Black cocktail dresses can showcase them whether you're a size 0 or 22.

For the dressiest looks, keep legs bare or wear sheer hose. Colored or patterned hose add whimsy.

"Every woman can look good in some sort of black dress," said Ms. Kaufman. "There's no excuse for not being able to find your perfect little black dress this year."

How kissable are your kissers?

If you're a woman with supple and shapely smoochers, you might want to enter a contest sponsored by Softlips for a chance to win $1,000, appearance in a print ad and maybe even a professional lip-modeling contract.

To enter the "Picture Perfect Lips" contest, you must be a female resident of the United States age 18 or older.

"The main things we look for when we're scouting lip models are the lips' shape, the symmetry between the top and bottom lip, the degree of fullness, the natural color of the lips and the texture," said Danielle Korwin, a contest judge and president of New York's Parts Model agency.

Ms. Korwin said the shape of the lips should include a defined "bow" on the top lip but no sharp angles; neither lip should be much larger or much smaller than the other; and lips should be rosy-colored and full but not overly exaggerated or "bee-stung."

For more information, visit www.softlips.com. The deadline to enter is Dec. 31. Winners will be announced in January.

Try it out

You can become an amateur beauty editor at home with the new TestTube product-sampling program by NewBeauty magazine.

Here's how it works. You pay $25 for each "test tube" of new products selected by NewBeauty and sent to your home four times a year. The first delivery contains products worth more than $200.

Among items included in the program are GoSMILE Weekender Kit, Obagi Professional-C Serum, a three-week supply of Dr. Brandt Laser Tight and items by NIA 24, Babor and Jane Iredale.

Details are at NewBeauty.com. The company reports more than 8,000 enrollees so far.

Custom tux shirts

The holidays are arriving, and invitations to black-tie-only affairs are already in the mail. Now, men have another alternative to the less-than-perfect-fitting, off-the-shelf or rented tuxedo shirt.

Liste Rouge -- Paris creates custom-made tux shirts that range from $260 to $380. Fabric swatches and photos are available upon request. Delivery takes four weeks.

You can order online at listerouge-paris.com or visit the New York store, 274 Madison Ave.