20 Formal Frocks You’ll Wear Over & Over Again

We can't deny it. We are guilty of one very bad habit: acquiring one-hit wonders. The number of dresses we've worn only once and then stashed away in the dark corners of our closets is truly abhorrent. Among them: the asymmetric, one-shoulder sheath we wore to our cousin's wedding; an overly embellished lace number "scored" at a sample sale; and an ill-advised, floral frock from Century 21's super-discounted rack. And, all of these unfortunate choices ate up precious funds that could have improved our wardrobe elsewhere.

So, we're kicking buyer's remorse to the curb — for good. How? With an array of cocktail dresses, sheaths, and gowns we'll actually want to wear again — and again, and again. And, we're guessing you will, too. The trick is to stick with classic silhouettes, monochrome hues, and prints you know will survive more than one fashion season. But, you won't have to worry about keeping to any rules when you shop our picks ahead — because, trust us; they're perfect.