The little black dress rebellion.

Byline: Wendy Donahue

The little black dress is back in a big way, but trends are bringing out its rebellious streak, via higher hemlines and their wild-child friends _ metallic or colored shoes and tights worn with sandals.

Which is not to say that you can't go classic if you choose, as did Annette Bening as host of "Saturday Night Live" earlier this month. She opened the show in a knee-length LBD with black stiletto pumps and her legs bare.

"This season the little black dress is coming in every way, shape and form," says Susan Kaufman, editor of People Stylewatch magazine, which will publish 10 times in 2007. "So no matter your shape or style, you can find the one that's perfect for you, from traditional to a fun minidress."

The one silhouette that shouldn't happen this season? "Supersexy and tight-fitting," Kaufman says.

Seconding that admonition is Bradley Bayou, designer to celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey and author of the new book "The Science of Sexy: Dress to Fit Your Unique Figure With the Style System That Works for Every Shape and Size" (Gotham, $35).

Bayou, also former creative director of Halston, puts it this way:

"You don't wrap a Christmas present in a clear box, do you? What you don't see is exciting."

Legs are the season's hot zone, and trends are turning the usual rules on their toes, er, nose. For a fresh leg-centric look with little black dresses of all lengths, try dark opaque tights with silver or gold sandals or platform non-black pumps.

"You don't want superstrappy sandals; they're too lightweight-looking," Kaufman says. "But an open-toed pump or a bit more covered-up sandal is totally appropriate with dark opaque tights. You can wear a great red shoe, or gold or silver."

Try to find seamless stockings if your toes are exposed, or tuck the seam deeper under your foot. If your legs are long and your calves on the smaller side, ankle boots are another trendy option.

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THE LOOKS

_ DKNY tapestry floral tights, $18, and Paolo black Leighton boots, $149.95, both at Nordstrom.

_ Frenchi red fish-net hosiery, $10, and Paolo black patent Babe peep-toe pumps, $99.95, both at Nordstrom.

_ Nordstrom jet black tights, $11, and Jessica Simpson blanco patent Mando peep-toe pumps, $88.95, both at Nordstrom.

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(c) 2007, Chicago Tribune.

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