Jul 15, 20202 min read

The Little Black Dress

The little black dress has been known for decades as an essential wardrobe piece. Many people credit designer Coco Chanel for making the black dress popular after it was featured in Vogue. According to Justine Picardine, the author of Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life, “the little black dress was not formally identified as the shape of the future until 1926, when American Vogue published a drawing of a Chanel design..."

"Chanel’s initial design incited a sense of glamour, while she pushed the narrative that it was something that belonged in everyone's wardrobe, making it a staple piece for years to come.”

In Old Hollywood, the LBD became a glamorous look and became even more iconic in 1961, when Audrey Hepburn was in this well-known film:

Breakfast at Tiffany's.

When you search up Old Hollywood glamour, mostly white women pop up, so here are some black Old Hollywood actresses and singers I found in their beautiful LBDs.

Left to Right: Diahann Carroll, Eartha Kitt, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey.

There are many different occasions where a black dress can be worn.

For a casual look, a black dress, no matter what style, can become more laid back by throwing on a pair of sneakers. For a more summery look when it's warmer outside, try sandals and a straw hat. And of course, completing the look by accessorizing with a small bag can easily make a black dress look classy while still casual.

Examples of Casual LBD Looks

For a more formal look, a well-fitted basic black dress can be easily dressed up with pearls or classic gold jewelry. It's also important to note that when it comes to formality, a little black dress can range from simple with no design, to more daring with a low cut-out back, or even more extravagant with puffed sleeves, as shown in the examples below.

Examples of Formal LBD Looks