10 style lessons from the White House dinner

From Michelle Obama to Jane Fonda, the celebrities were out in force on the red carpet for the annual White House Correspondent's Association Gala - and gave us all some fashion tips for how to dress for a black tie event.

By Penny TraversPublished: 27 April 2015

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Less is more

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When opting for the classic little black dress, don't assume you have to accessorise it to the max to make it stand out more. Actress Lucy Liu keeps things simple by foregoing jewellery in favour of red lipstick.

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Go for gold

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If you like to make a statement, don't be afraid to pick vibrant gold like Martha Stewart. She even wore all-gold matching accessories and the result is striking. The key is to wear it with confidence.

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Think outside the box

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Tropical flowers and floaty chiffon maxi dresses may not scream red carpet event, but actress Ashley Judd completely pulls the look off and stands out by looking fresh and summery. Plus she can wear the look again for a Summer wedding. Bonus.

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Try different shades

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While sticking to classic black may be tempting, sometimes it pays off to try bold colours you wouldn't necessarily think worked together. Frozen star Idina Menzel shows us pink and red is the combo to be seen in this Summer.

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You don't have to show flesh to be sexy

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Jane Fonda may be 77, but she's never looked sexier. The actress proves you don't have to show a lot of flesh to wow, instead opting for a close-fitting black sequin dress with high neck.

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Pay attention to your complexion

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Rather than being a slave to trends, sometimes the easiest choice is to go for a dress that will suit your skin tone or hair colour. Jane Seymour knows red complements redheads beautifully.

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Know what shapes are flattering

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Ariana Huffington stood out on the red carpet with an optical illusion dress which instantly created a flattering hourglass figure.

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Go out of your comfort zone

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Fitted and ballgown dresses are a popular choice for red carpet events, but it's always worth trying on styles you wouldn't necessarily go for - the result can be quite striking. We love Connie Nielsen's cape dress.

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Go shorter

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Gone are the days floor-length dresses were mandatory for a black tie event. Modern Family actress Julie Bowen looked incredible in a embellished midi dress, which she'll be able to wear again much more easily.

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Understated metallics are a thing

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Think the metallic trend is all super shiny gold and silvers? Think again! Michelle Obama gives us a grown-up fashion lesson on the trend, looking gorgeous in an understated shimmery dress paired with plum lipstick.

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