For less busty girls like me, it’s a surefire way to wow

THERE is a timeless elegance to a backless dress that I love. At its best, it can outshine anything; it has, if you will excuse the pun, all the allure and none of the front. Although, for me, the beauty of wearing a backless dress is that it’s so comfortable. I can put on a gown exposing the length of my spine, or an expanse of shoulder blade, and not worry about my appearance for the rest of the evening.

As actress Zendaya’s dress proves perfectly, a backless design is super sexy, but ultimately everything that needs to be covered up is.

I love the way Zendaya has chosen full-length sleeves. A long sleeve, a high neck or both would be my top tips for going backless; the dress doesn’t have to be skin-tight, it could just lightly hang off your hips. It doesn’t even have to be a dress — I love a wide-leg trouser with a halterneck, back-exposing top.

The rule is: go as low as is comfortable. I get stressed if I’m wearing something that isn’t 100 per cent effortless, but with a backless dress, you can let it hang on your body.

If a dress is split to the hip, there is always the worry that a sudden gust of wind might blow it open. Likewise, with a low-cut dress, one can never completely relax and that shatters some of the appeal. That said, I didn’t appreciate the subtle sophistication of slipping into something that only reveals a glimpse of flesh at the back until I was in my 20s.

There is one such dress in my wardrobe, however, that I have owned since I was 21. It doesn’t have a full dropped back, but reveals a deep circle around the shoulder blades. It’s long-sleeved, full-length, and it’s my go-to dress for black-tie or the red carpet. Bought in Topshop, it wasn’t expensive and is the ultimate chameleon dress. It looks amazing with simple black stiletto sandals, but can be transformed into a glitzier gown with statement jewellery.

A backless dress generally flatters all body types, but gives those not blessed with much bust — like my older sister Violet and me — a chance to create their own version of sexy.

Let’s face it, this style does not allow much scope for meaningful, supportive underwear; an invisible stick-on bra can only do so much.

Violet looks amazing in a backless dress. I remember a stunning, black Julien Macdonald one she wore to the British Film Institute that worked perfectly on her.

If you have curves like Elizabeth Taylor, why wouldn’t you wear a figure-hugging, voluptuous gown, with a plunging neckline? You work with what nature gives you. But if you don’t possess an hourglass shape, then a backless dress is an elegant way to make an impression. It offers a subtle hint of seduction which in today’s society is a rare thing.

But I do think it’s a look for younger women. In older women, beauty shines from within so there’s no need to show off everything. And there are some lovely options with a swooping neckline that reveal just the shoulder blades.

As a stylist, I believe Zendaya is trailblazing on every level in the fashion world. She can do no wrong, so if she is doing it, lots will follow.

Be prepared for a backless party season.