The Victoria's Secret Guide To Seductive Dressing

If anyone knows how to dress themselves to impress in the most seductive manner possible, it is the Victoria's Secret Angels. And thanks to the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which occurred on December 2 and will air nationwide on December 9, the rest of the United States will be schooled in the art of seduction this week as well. Creating an alluring look is a delicate art, however, and even the most skilled sirens occasionally take a misstep. Therefore, it seems only logical to study the Angels and their elaborate runway costumes for clues to striking the balance between sultry and sophisticated. The show boasted its requisite amount of décolleté on parade and barely-there numbers, but the costumes themselves were a florid mashup of comic book inspiration, gladiator gear, and a handful of ill-advised turkey feathers.

So what can one glean from this sensory overload of glitter, color, lace, satin, and wings? Most significantly, capes and wings are best left for intricate Halloween costumes and children, unless you happen to be sauntering down the Victoria's Secret runway. You can't go wrong with elegant fabrics and simple silhouettes, which can be modernized with a pop of vibrant color or an unexpected accessory. And the best way to sell a daringly scintillating look is by wearing it with poise and aplomb, so work it like you're the next Jourdan Dunn or Lily Aldridge. Here are 7 lessons to learn from the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.

1. WHEN IN DOUBT, CHOOSE BLACK LACE

Black lace is a wardrobe essential. The fabric is simultaneously demure and daring, a rich ebony shade matches just about anything, and the textile's constitution allows modest glimpses of skin while maintaining an air of mystery. Victoria's Secret embraced the vampier side of black lace on the 2014 runway, proving the versatility and beauty of the sartorial staple.

2. FITNESS FASHION IS FETCHING

The masterminds behind the VS show threw a fitness-inspired look into the mix on model Elsa Hosk, and the effect was just as brilliant — if not more — than the other looks on the runway. If you're a devoted yogi, a soccer stud, or a spin class devotee, bear in mind that your sporty style is just as chic as an LBD or a satin slip dress.

3. A LITTLE SPARKLE DRAWS THE EYE TO YOUR BEST FEATURES

Glittering shadow and liner is used to accentuate captivating eyes, and a shimmering highlighter draws the eye to sharp cheekbones, so why not apply the same principle to your wardrobe. 'Tis the season to embrace glitter, and as proven by the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, sparkle draws the eye towards your favorite features.

4. DRESSING LIKE A TURKEY IS NOT APPEALING ON ANYONE...INCLUDING MODELS

I understand the logical leap from feathered wings to turkeys, but orange and crimson plumes arranged in a turkey-esque fan do not a seductive look make. If Joan Smalls can't pull the look off, the rest of womankind can forget about attempting it. Unless you enjoy being the object of your own joke, save the turkey feathers for the elementary school pageant.

5. A POP OF COLOR LIVENS UP BASIC DESIGNS

A bright pop of color may mean the difference between dull and dazzling. Victoria's Secret amped up the color in a major way for the 2014 runway, infusing many ensembles with rich persimmon, vibrant cobalt, fuchsia, and neon aqua.

6. MORE IS NOT ALWAYS MORE

If you decide on a hot pink mini dress, a feathered coat might be overkill. Perhaps the second most significant lesson to gather from the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is that when seduction is the aim of your ensemble, going overboard is the enemy of success. Some of the most beautiful looks on the runway were the simplest: a dash of white lace here, a sprinkling of sequins there. Instead of forcing in every provocative convention in the book, try focusing on one or two.

7. STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE ARE THE ULTIMATE APHRODISIACS

Whether clad in glimmering golden knee-high gladiator boots or bedazzled bolero and matching corset, none of the Victoria's Secret models looked less than self-possessed in their gear. Case in point: Doutzen Kroes paraded her post-baby body on the runway a mere four months after giving birth to daughter Myllena Mae with the utmost confidence. Even if your wardrobe is bursting with the most beautifully cut lace camisoles and slimming sheath dresses, the effect falls flat unless you wear them with panache. As trite as it may seem, confidence is the only accessory you need this season to be truly alluring.

Images: Getty Images