A Short Story on The Little Black Dress
One is never overdressed or underdressed with a little black dress." - Karl Lagerfeld.
The little black dress (LBD) and its origins can be traced back to the 1920s. It is intended to be long lasting, versatile, affordable, and widely accessible. Fashion historians consider the LBD essential to a complete wardrobe and insist that every woman should own at least one little black dress that is simple yet elegant.
The LBD is considered versatile because it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. For example, you can make an array of outfits just by adding different jackets, blazers, shawls, or cardigans to the same little black dress! Pair it with heels and a blazer for business then simply remove the jacket, add pearls, and go out for a night on the town. Choose flats for more casual outings such as a school meeting or lunch with a friend. Or, you can also dress it up with ornate jewelry and accessories for weddings, galas, or any other formal event. The possibilites are endless with this one Little Black Dress!
Short History of the Little Black Dress
The color black is associated with class, elegance, and is rich in symbolism. In the early 16th century, black represented wealth among Dutch merchants and Spanish aristocrats. During this time, it was extremely expensive to produce the color black from "imported oak apples."
By the 18th century, the color black also represented romance and artistry. It is reported that the fashion designer Ann Verheist said, "Black is poetic. How do you imagine a poet? In a bright yellow jacket? Probably not."
As the Victorian era began, black evolved from a color of art to one of mourning and grief as it was customary for widows to wear black for at least a full year.
In 1926, American Vogue published a picture of a short, simple black dress making it popular among women. They compared it to the Model T (regarded as the first mass affordable automobile) of dresses stating it was simple and accesible for women of all social classes.
From there, the little black dress retained its popularity and went on to survive the Great Depression mainly due to its economy and elegance. As more fashion designers made little black dresses they became the standard staple for simple evening wear. It also was a big hit with filmmakers who relied on little black dresses because other colors looked distorted on the screen and botched the coloring process.
During World Ward II, the style of the little black dress continued due to widespread rationing of textiles (rayon, cotton, and wool blends), in addition to being a common uniform used for businesswear and for civilian women entering the workforce. The little black dress allowed women to dress up without taking important resources away from war efforts. After the war, the increased availability of synthetic fabrics broadened the affordability of 1940s women's clothing and more flamboyant silhouettes transformed the LBD to suit the fashion era. What made the little black dress so sought after was its ease to accessorize. Its simple silhouette and neutral color made it a perfect foundation for many outfits.
The little black dress is probably most remembered by its classic look worn by Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'. The actress and activist wore a black sheath dress accessorized with long black satin gloves and a string of pearls making it was one of the most memorable fashion statements of all times.
The little black dress today is still an important fashion staple in every woman's closet and wardrobe. It is timeless and chic and can be worn to cocktail parties, black-tie affairs, weddings, formal dinners, and galas. With the right accessories your little black dress can take you into any room, situation, occasion, or to any place your little heart desires.
So, the next time you pack for a trip or go away on vacation, please be sure to pack the little black dress!
Here are some little black dresses that I have found that you may like:
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This little black dress features a chic V-neckline and sleeveless design. It is crafted from luxurious silk-like fabric and has a natural waistline that radiates elegance. It is classy, sophisticated, and perfect for any occasion. I can picture wearing this with classic black pumps to a formal affair, or swap out the heels for cute black sandals and a straw bag with a wide-brim hat for a cute outfit to wear to the park. To purchase this little black dress, please visit Coco Melody HERE.
This little black dress boasts a tailored collar neckline and sleeveless design, exuding timeless elegance. With a natural waistline and knee-length hem, it flatters the figure gracefully. You can dress it up with heels, or down with a nice pair of flats. To purchase this little black dress, please click HERE.
This little black dress is timeless and sophisticated with a modern and fresh twist. Featuring a flattering 3/4 sleeve design, shimmering bead embellishments, and a chic midi length, this dress is perfect for weddings, parties, or special occasions. To purchase this little black dress, please click HERE.
This little black dress is perfect for all occasions. It is soft, breathable and comfortable to wear on a hot summer day. But is is also suitable for spring, autumn, and winter. With the right accessories, it can be casual, holiday, banquet, vacation, honeymoon or worn to other special events. To purchase this little black dress, please click HERE.
This little black dress features a satin A-line silhouette, tea-length hemline, V-neckline, 3/4 sleeves, pleats, fully lined with built-in bra, and zipper closure. Perfect for a wedding or a black-tie affair, or for "tea time" with a friend! To purchase this little black dress, please visit Coco Melody HERE.
This little black dress features a one-shoulder neckline and graceful off-the-shoulder sleeves, crafted from luxurious silk-like fabric. With a natural waistline and tea-length hem, complemented by a stylish split detail and a practical back zipper, it exudes elegance and sophistication, perfect for a special event. To purchase this little black dress, please click HERE.
Although this is not considered a little black dress, I just couldn't help but to add it to this list. It's giving me that "mini" Audrey Hepburn feel. It's classic, timeless, and so elegant. You can dress it up or down with different shoes and accessories. Whether you are dressing it for a vintage wedding party, prom, evening party or any other occasions, this vintage dress will be a lovely companion for you. To purchase this "little black dress", please visit Zapata HERE.
Author’s Bio
Isabella Boston
Isabella Boston is a Wordsmith and the creator of Bella’s Attic Studio. She is well-versed in copywriting, articles and research, and medical content writing with a focus on traumatic brain injury (TBI), autoimmune disorders, and inflammation within the body. She is a diarist and the author of Passion of Flames.
When Isabella is not writing, she enjoys reading, fashion, learning new languages, and spreading God’s Holy Word.
SOURCES:
Vintage, R. (2022, June 6). Vintage clothing history guide - the little black dress. RevivalVintage. https://revivalvintage.co.uk/blogs/news/vintage-clothing-history-little-black-dress
The LBD – Maryland Center for History and Culture. (n.d.-b). https://www.mdhistory.org/the-lbd/
Design House House of Chanel French, French, D. K. L., & French, S. L. C. B. (n.d.). House of chanel: Dress: French. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search