By Morenike Taire

Okay, it’s authoritative. It’s back, that ubiquitous staple of the eighties that looked so passé just a couple of years ago. While being girly and sweet, today’s   tube dress is not as easy to wear as it might at first appear.

Be Clever
If your chest area is less than awesome (flat, droopy, or otherwise unsightly), go for a tube with plenty of front details like ruffles and flounces that can draw attention away from the unsightly area on to the detail.

Mind your underwear
The best piece of underwear to wear under a tubedress is a stick-on bra. If you have not yet invested in one then try taping your girls down with a large tape to keep them tame and get the   babies out of sight.   A corset or a tube bra might also do the job, but best if they are padded.

The next best thing is of course a strapless bra, preferably a pushup bra with the straps removed. Never wear a full strapped bra in full sight or tucked away and definitely do not go braless.   Accidents do happen.

If you are an E cup and above, the tube is not really the item for you. Rather than look sexy and classy, you would rather look obscene. Also avoid short tubes if over 21 to avoid being the butt of unkind jokes.

More is more
The less-is-more rule does not apply here. The tube dress is to show off your arms, shoulders and neck, not a scarcity of material. With the tube dress, you are one second from fab one way and one second from tacky the next. You might want to use your hair to help balance the skimpiness of your dress by wearing big hair.

Make it a size smaller
When your dress is a size smaller than your usual size it holds up for much longer: it grips rather than merely fitting. With the tube, you not only get away with wearing a size smaller, you actually should.

How to Pair
Earrings are a great way to add glitz to your ensemble without overpowering the neckline of your dress. Whether it’s a pair of gold hoop earrings or a dangling, embellished chandelier style, earrings enhance your overall look and draw attention to your top half in all the right ways.

Although simplicity is often key when rocking a strapless style, it’s possible to wear necklaces without distracting from a gorgeous neckline. In fact, many times a necklace enhances the bare canvas you get by wearing a strapless dress. Long strands of delicate chains might also be appropriate if the embellishment on your dress is minimal. If your neckline is embellished, forgo a necklace all together in favour of a glam pair of earrings.

Opt for an embellished cuff bracelet or a stack of gold or silver bangles for added glitz. A classic wristwatch is another option for a sophisticated ensemble.

Bright dresses look fabulous when paired with high-heeled metallic sandals. You may want to avoid platform heels that can look too severe — opt for strappy stiletto heels instead. Also consider using a belt.