Believe it or not, the little black dress has been around for nearly 100 years! It became more popular because of a Coco Chanel design that Vogue lauded as the Ford of fashion, “the frock that all the world will wear.” Now it’s extremely rare to explore a closet which doesn’t feature this timeless little number.
The little black dress (LBD) has been around for nearly 100 years. It quickly rose to popularity, in large part because of one Coco Chanel design that Vogue lauded as the Ford of fashion, “the frock that all the world will wear.” And boy were they right.
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There was a time when wearing black was reserved for mourning and was considered offensive for women to wear black at any other time. Today, the little black dress is still considered the Ford of fashion. It is a staple in most women’s wardrobe.
There was a time when wearing black was only suitable for mourning, funerals etc. However, now it is considered as stylish and sophisticated, still living up to its reputation as “the Ford of fashion”. It is a staple in most women’s wardrobes. This is primarily the case because of little black dress’ versatility and variety of styles for every occasion.For example, you’ll find many popular outfitters like allsaints.com who have women’s dresses in black that are long, short, silk and lace. This provides shoppers with the hard task of having to choose their favorite!
Every woman’s wardrobe should feature at least one little black dress. Let’s look at the many virtues of the little black dress.
Versatile: A Little Black Dress for Every Occasion
Whether you want to dress it up or dress it down, the little black dress can deliver. You can find the perfect LBD for every occasion—the office, date, church, black-tie affair, and nightclub.
The perfect little black dress for the office – No matter what your particular style is–funky, conservative, or trendy–there is a little black dress for the office that is perfect for you.
The perfect little black dress for a formal event – There are a variety of ways to wear the little black dress for a formal event. Whether you are going to a wedding, gala, or another black-tie affair, the little black dress is a staple you can rely on.
The perfect little black dress for a night out – Whether you need a dress for a date or a night out with your friends, the perfect little black dress can give you the extra boost of confidence that you need.
Sustainable: The Little Black Dress is a Wardrobe Staple
The little black dress never goes out of style. It is a staple dress in a woman’s wardrobe that they continue to come back to every year. It is common for women to have at more than one type of little black dresses in their closets; maybe even one for every season–a short, sleeveless ribbed-fabric shift dress for summer or a long sleeve sweater dress for the winter, for example.
The little black dress comes in a variety of styles:
Sleeveless
Cap sleeves
3/4-length sleeves
V-neck
Boat neck
Crew neck
Square neck
Mini
Knee-length
Long
A Great Return on Investment
Think of your little black dress, or little black dresses, as an investment. After all, you are likely to wear this dress to a variety of events in a variety of ways. Because this one piece of clothing is so versatile, it makes sense that you invest in a dress with outstanding quality. Trends will continue to change, but your little black dress will always be in style.
Easy to Accessorize
The best little black dress can go from the office to a night on the town with the change or addition of a few accessories. Some accessories to always have around include:
Belt (metallic, patent, box, or leather)
Cropped jacket (jean jacket for a casual look or leather jacket for an evening night out)
Black opaque tights (great for lighter fabrics)
Sparkling evening clutch
Open-toed heels
Diamonds and pearls (real or fake)
Fake-fur tippet (great for keeping warm)
A Confidence Booster: Everyone Looks Good in a Little Black Dress
Black is a very flattering color for everybody type and for every age. According to an article on the Huffington Post, black is the only color worth wearing. The article gives 14 reasons why black is the only color you should bother wearing. Some of the reasons the articles list are figure-flattering, easy to match, and flattering to every skin tone. So, it makes sense that the little black dress can be a confidence booster for any woman.
Flattering for every shape – There really is a little black dress for every woman’s body type that will look flattering and make the woman feel beautiful. You just need to know what looks are best for your body. Once you understand your shape, you will be able to follow the tips below and find a perfect flattering design.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Little Black Dress
Yes, the little black dress is a great staple to have in any woman’s wardrobe. However, not every dress is best for every woman’s body type. Here are a few tips for choosing the perfect little black dress for your body:
Curvy – Flattering silhouettes for women with curves are those that will show off your waistline and softly follow your curves. Examples include, wrap dresses, sheaths, full skirts, fit-and-flare, and belted shirt dresses. Hemlines that fall at the slimmest part of your leg or just below your knee will also give you a slimming effect.
Petite – If you are petite, then you have a few options. Semi-fitted, A-Line and empire style dresses will accentuate your figure without overwhelming it.
Short torso and long legs – Women with long legs or a long torso can make modest hemlines look anything but. The most flattering dresses for this body type are empire styles, semi-fitted sheaths, bias-cut dresses with a torso-lengthening draped neckline, and A-line dresses.
Full bust – For women with a full bust, semi-fitted silhouette work best. Opt for dresses with open necklines and nipped-in waists like what you will find in shirt dresses, wrap dresses and shift dresses.
Boyish frame – For slimmer frames with a smaller bust, belted style dresses can add desired definition to the bust. Luckily for this body type, there are a variety of styles that work well; shirt dresses, A-line, shift dresses, fitted-sheath, empire, and strapless.
Plus size with curves – For the plus size woman with curves, long or ¾ sleeve wrap dresses are a great option. Its tie closure adjusts to fit exactly where you want it and the soft, stretchy jersey material causes the dress to drape gently over your curves. Dresses with tulip-style skirts also helps make legs look longer and leaner.
Women with a tummy – The aim for the best dress for a woman with a tummy is to give the illusion of a slimmer torso. Do this by choosing dresses that draw away attention from the waistline, defining the slimmest part of the torso. Empire-style and subtle A-line dresses are your best option. Stay away from dressed that add bulk, such as pleats and ruching; and anything that is tight or restrictive.
Choosing the Best Dress for Every Age
You can look good at any age. Just as important as choosing the right style of dress for your body type is choosing the right little black dress that is most flattering for your age.
The Best Dress For: Your 20s – The challenge to dressing in your twenties is to look sophisticated while showing off your best assets. Not every style of dress is appropriate for the office or meeting your in-laws. You want to look good, be comfortable, and be appropriate for the workplace. So, clingy fabrics are no good. Shirt dresses are a great option.
The Best Dress For: Your 30s – A wrap dress is the perfect wrinkle-resistant, mom-friendly option for the busy woman with a few more curves. It’s appropriate for work and its stretchy material is very practical. Shift dresses are also great because of their versatility. You can dress it down with ballet flats and tights or dress it up with bare legs and heels.
The Best Dress For: Your 40s and beyond – Once a woman hits her 40s, she develops a “uniform”. This is when you really begin to define your style; a style that you will take with you for the rest of your life. Your style and taste evolves with age, but by now you know what you like and what styles suit you and your lifestyle the best. You definitely carry yourself with more confidence and maturity now, so by now you know exactly what you should wear.
Why Every Woman Should Have at Least One Little Black Dress
Every woman should have at least one little black dress, if not more. It’s one of the rare pieces of clothing that make you look sexy, yet sophisticated or trendy, yet work-friendly. With it, you can easily go from the office (blazer, cardigan, and pearls) to night with the simple addition of a few accessories (jewelry, makeup, jackets, and heels). And if it is well-made, it will last for years.
Overall, you should choose the little black dress that best suits you. It should be an investment piece. The perfect little black dress should make you feel comfortable, fabulous, and most of all, like you.
Images from: Malgozata Moksecka in Game Changer for Design SCENE Magazine
