Donning a backless dress is by far the classiest way to add teasingly sexy style to a woman's wardrobe.' Our buying guide to the backless dress is filled with essential options from the cocktail party to the opera, and just about everywhere in between. So take the plunge this season and spoil yourself with a backless dress!

Casual Cut-Out On The Town

While thoughts of the backless dress might inspire visions of grand, formal events with passed hors d'oeuvres and champagne, there are many fantastic backless dresses that can take you to lunch with the ladies or out on a casual date!' Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent has the perfect out-on-the-town backless dress in its collection. The black satin 'Backless Embroidered Dress' is both nighttime chic and daytime dynamite with empire waist rouching, crew neck and embroidered shoulders. This cut-out style backless dress hits a few inches above the knees for a fun yet stylish look, especially when paired with some sassy ankle boots!

The key to casual for the backless dress is a shorter length and a more modest and playful opening on the back while maintaining a collar that reunites the dress at the nape of the neck.' Dangle a long chain necklace to complement the high-neck cut and any backless dress can mean business!

A Backless PROM-enade

Prom is a hugely popular occasion for the backless dress to make its debut. These more affordable backless gowns are suitable for more than prom, too, so let's take a look! The 'Fantastic Golden Pleated Prom Dress' by Dave & Johnny is a glitzy floor length gown, patiently pleated to expand during twirls on the dance floor. This backless dress has sequined crisscross straps near the top of the back and is open down to the waist. Also eye-catching, the 'Backless Teal and Gold Dress' by Faviana is embellished with four thin rhinestone straps that scale the open back from the waist to the neckline. These fancy floor length backless dresses are just the ticket for being the shining star on any special night!

Glamorous and All Grown Up

The backless dress is a mature and sophisticated way to show off some sensuality.' A little extra skin revealed by a backless dress will turn heads and intrigue onlookers. Coupled with a delicate pearl necklace, the 'Black Elegant Rhinestone Dress' by La Femme is a surefire backless dress knock-out! Add a pair of silver pumps and be the belle of any ball. For a flirtatiously elegant option, Le Femme's 'Yellow Beaded Evening Dress' is a glitzy gold backless dress that will fit in at the most sophisticated and stylish of galas. Slip on a pair of gold heels and get to the show!

The bottom line to our backless dress buying guide is that there is no better way to show some sexy while keeping it classy. Nothing is more enticing than the understated appeal of a backless dress, from the mall to the market and from a casual lunch date to a black tie event!