Black Halo was founded in Los Angeles in 2002 by Laurel Berman, who studied at the San Francisco Academy of Fashion after a political science degree and left the idea of law school behind for fashion. It started as a separates collection to wear with denim, and the brand describes itself as an authentic American-made label in Los Angeles. The name is the beauty of contradiction, an angel tarnished a little. Then came the dress the label is known for. The Jackie O dress was sewn from Berman's signature pencil skirt and a tucked silk blouse, and it launched soon after the brand. Here it appears as the Jackie Sheath Dress, the 3/4-sleeve version, the Jackie O Sleeveless Sheath, the Jackie Belted Sheath and the Jackie Jumpsuit. The Madeline sheaths, one tie-front and one V-neck with 3/4 sleeves, keep the same idea, and the Jacqueline midis in stretch crepe sit close by. For evening, the Avenia and Aurora gowns, the Berri sequined maxi and the Azura maxi take over, with the Ara jumpsuits in bow and puff-sleeve versions for anyone who wants trousers. If you are choosing a black dress, this black dress guide covers mini, midi and maxi, and this look at the new little black dress has newer shapes.

The second half leans dressier. In 2012 Black Halo launched a cocktail and evening line called Black Halo EVE by Laurel Berman, and the EVE Jackie O Off-the-Shoulder Gown carries that name here. The Kristy strapless lace jacquard trumpet gown, the Sylara and Evangeline gowns, the Lexington gown, the Bernice capelet column gown and the Coressa lace-trimmed bias-cut gown are the long options. The Evangeline and Lazul polka dot maxi dresses are the playful ones, and the Eloidie handkerchief hem and asymmetric midi dresses fit the middle. For jumpsuits there are the Corrine lace, the Jackie cap-sleeve belted wide-leg, the asymmetric belted version and the Matias vest jumpsuit. A 10th-anniversary all-white Jackie O capsule was shown in SoHo in 2017, so white is part of the story too. What I would skip is wearing a strapless gown to a daytime event with a cold front forecast; choose the Marissa sheath or a jumpsuit with sleeves instead. For a birthday, this birthday dress guide has minis, midis and gowns, and for a wedding, this brown wedding guest dress guide shows long gowns with slits.

In our fashion dreams she is arriving at a wedding in Italy in the Jackie Belted Sheath with a plain flat sandal and a wrap, because the dress already has all the structure it needs. For a fuller picture of what to wear, this guide to a wedding in Italy is worth a read. Black Halo is a label for occasions, and the Jackie dress does the work of a pencil skirt and silk blouse in one piece.

For more in the same spirit, take a look at Black Formal Dresses and Giorgio Armani Gowns and Blazers.