But all bets are off when it comes to this £3,564 number by catwalk king Julien Macdonald, which has been worn by everyone from Cheryl Cole, 27, to Cher - yes, the real one.
Speaking exclusively to Now, Julien confesses: ‘I like dressing women with fun characters who have real bodies - curvy with a bust.
'Women, and especially celebrities, feel an instant sense of glamour when they put on one of my dresses.
'Both Cher and Cheryl contacted me to make something special for them and it was a real pleasure working with both women.'
Julien created this dress in nude for Cheryl Cole - which she teamed with a VBH clutch and Jimmy Choo heels - to pick up her Glamour Woman Of The Year Award in June.
'Cheryl requested it in nude and she personally picked this
specific colour. I added further detailed embellishment on the dress
with more crystals and lace for that instant red carpet look,' explains
Julien.
Hot on Cheryl's heels, Alex Gerrard, 28, teamed the catwalk version with an Alexander McQueen clutch and Miu Miu heels for Elton John's White Tie And Tiara Ball on 24 June 2010.
Formula 1 heiress Tamara Ecclestone (above centre), 26, can afford to wear this look straight off the runway, teaming it with nude Julien Macdonald heels at the F1 Party at the Natural History Museum.
And this week, Burlesque star Cher, 34, turns back time giving celebs half her age a run for their money in a modified, more demure version of this season's It dress at the Burlesque premiere.
'The sleeves were put on and the whole dress was customised just for Cher,' reveals Julien.
Shop online for nude and black lace dresses inspired by Cheryl Cole's Julien Macdonald It dress...