Dress up your wardrobe with a top designer

During a recent visit to Neiman Marcus in Boston, Carolina Herrera wore a white blouse, a chunky white necklace -- and a trim pair of slacks.

But the Venezuela-born designer -- arguably one of the world's most chic grandmothers -- is probably best known for her lush gowns, made famous on the red carpet by Hollywood stars such as Renee Zellweger and Katie Holmes.

The red carpet may elude us, but there will always be special occasions that call for women to find the perfect dress.

The guidelines governing what to wear have become more relaxed. But for those who may become overwhelmed navigating racks of different fabrics and hemlines, Herrera advises starting with the occasion: a wedding, a dinner, a graduation? And what is the dress code? Long gowns are probably only necessary for more formal parties, she says.

Consider also the time of day. Daytime is generally less formal, while flashier fabrics are probably best reserved for evening events. ''You're not going to wear metallics for lunchtime," she says.

Many women might select the so-called ''little black dress," a versatile choice that can go from day to evening depending on what accessories you choose.

But for now, Herrera, who was named women's wear designer of the year in 2004 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America, prefers color, and she believes many women do, too. Her fall collection of classic suits and dresses, inspired by the shapes of the 1940s, features such shades as raspberry, violet, and blush.

Designer dresses such as Herrera's are certainly not inexpensive -- many on display at Neiman Marcus during her visit cost several thousand dollars. If cost limits you to only one special dress, make sure it's one you'll want to wear more than once.

''You try to buy one that you really like and you feel comfortable in," says Herrera, who was in town last month for a benefit for Dana-Farber's Women's Cancers Program.

Or consider what you already own. Mary Lou Andre, who runs the wardrobe management firm Organization by Design, says it might only take some new shoes or a purse to create a new outfit.

She recommends looking at your schedule and buying dresses based on how important the event is -- you might want to look especially good for a college reunion, for instance, but may be less inclined to go all out for the wedding of a distant relative.

Dresses come in such a variety of silhouettes and price ranges that experts say you shouldn't have trouble finding one. Such colors as chocolate brown and paprika are popular this season and so are bohemian-inspired designs.

With dress codes less strict, such combinations as boots and ballgowns have become acceptable, says April Riccio, a spokeswoman for Neiman Marcus. ''Fashion should have a bit of whimsy to it," she says.

Herrera, the mother of four daughters, moved with her family to New York in 1981 and launched what has become her fashion empire. She still remembers her first gown, made of white lace, that she wore when she was 16.

Some may worry that they will choose the wrong dress for a particular occasion. But Herrera, with characteristic bluntness, says there's really only one thing to avoid. ''Something that doesn't look good on you, obviously."

Emily Shartin can be reached at eshartin@globe.com.