The Little Black Dress
A little black dress (LBD) is a simple black cocktail or evening dress.
The cut of the dress is kept very simple, and length can varydepending on the current designer trend. Originally, the little black dress was made popular in the 1920's, by the well known fashion designer "Coco Chanel. " This was one of the "Coco Chanel's " designs that were Intended to be long-lasting, very versatile, and yet to be kept somewhat affordable. It soon became accessible to the widest market possible, and continues to be a staple in most women's wardrobe.
It continues today to be at the top of the top ten list of fashions that defy time, and have become a steadfast "rule of fashion" that every woman should own at least one or two seasonal elegant black dresses.
The wonderful thing about the "little black dress" is it can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Example, if worn with a jacket and simple pump, the look is perfect for business wear. Come evening that same little black wonder can be dressed up with jewelry , a great evening bag along with a strapy little shoe, and the look can take you to the most formal of events....
How does one get the best out of purchasing a little black dress? Because it is meant to be a staple of the wardrobe for a number of years, the ideal style of the little black dress should be as simple as possible, keep the length at a mid knee, you can't go wrong with mid knee length. If shopping the current years trend, be brave , and go out on the limb with length. Actually, if you feel comfortable in the short Little black dress, buy it. As long as your legs hold out, your good to go...
Ever wonder what of the little black dress prior to the 1920's? Before it became popular in the 1920's the black was very much reserved for periods of mourning and considered to be indecent if worn outside such circumstances. A widow's mourning dress was closely observed, and black dresses were not to be worn otherwise. During the Victorian and Edwardian ages, a widow was expected to wear several stages of mourning dress. The first two years of mourning "Deep or full" mourning required the widow to wear plain black clothing with absolutely no embellishment for the first year. The second stage of morning lasted nine months and the widow was allowed to wear dresses made of black silk alone. The "ordinary mourning" which last three months the widow could accessorize her outfit a bit, with perhaps a black ribbon, a lace embroidery collar, or a well chosen piece of jet jewelry. The final six months of mourning known as "half-mourning" the widow was then allowed to wear muted or neutral colors: shades of purple were most common.
It was the year 1926, and "Vouge Magazine published "CoCo Chanel's " little black dress. The dress was calf length, with a straight line, and decorated with a few diagonal lines. Vogue called it " Chanel's Ford.... Naturally it was named after Fords Model T automobile. Chanel's little black dress took off like gang-busters, it became a staple for not only the wealthy woman, but copies were soon produced, which made it affordable for all women to have at least one little black dress in their closet.
The little black dress continued to be popular through the Great Depression, due to the little black dress be so economical yet elegance, it remained very popular. Hollywood's influence on the little black dress was evident, but for very practical reasons: as movies were being shot in Technicolor it became common for film-maker's to depend on little black dresses, because most colors became washed out and distorted on the big screen. During World War ll, the little black dress continued to be popular in part due to widespread rationing of textiles. The little black dress was very suitable for business wear, many more women were forced to enter the workforce, and needed affordable clothing, yet suitable clothing to conduct business.
The "New Look" The rise of "The House Of Dior'" in the post-war era and the sexual conservatism of the 1950s returned the little black dress to its roots, as a classical and stylish couture look. Hollywood starlets took the little black dress to new heights, the "little black halter-style dress". This was in big contrast to the more conservative little black dresses of your typical housewives . The newer synthetic fabrics of the 1940s and 1950s made the little black dresses more affordable than ever before.
In the 1960's versions of the little black dress gave way to the "miniskirt" the little black dresses were created as never before in very short length, with cut outs, slits, and bodices were being updated with lace, and tulle. The little black dress now demanded one have really good legs to pull off the shorter length...Many other women of the 1960's chose to wear tamed down versions, such as the simple black sheath, as worn by "Audrey Hepburn" in "Breakfast at Tiffany's.
The 1970's brought on the "jet set". The little black dress became a bit more feminine, But there were designers such as "Bill Blass" that kept the dress simple and elegant. Other designers were hell bent on making it skimpier, sexier... Made especially for women that frequented the disco's.
The popularity of the little black dress has not in the least suffered over the last 20 plus years... The casual fabrics, especially knits, have made the little black dress perfect for business, travel, and not to mention evening wear. The new fabric's and design's make it an attractive choice for fashion wise women today.
Designer's today have made it easy to find a little black dress in a figure flattering style, by making sure their design's versatile.
It continues today to be at the top of the top ten list of fashions that defy time, and have become a steadfast "rule of fashion" that every woman should own at least one or two seasonal elegant black dresses.
The wonderful thing about the "little black dress" is it can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Example, if worn with a jacket and simple pump, the look is perfect for business wear. Come evening that same little black wonder can be dressed up with jewelry , a great evening bag along with a strapy little shoe, and the look can take you to the most formal of events....
How does one get the best out of purchasing a little black dress? Because it is meant to be a staple of the wardrobe for a number of years, the ideal style of the little black dress should be as simple as possible, keep the length at a mid knee, you can't go wrong with mid knee length. If shopping the current years trend, be brave , and go out on the limb with length. Actually, if you feel comfortable in the short Little black dress, buy it. As long as your legs hold out, your good to go...
Ever wonder what of the little black dress prior to the 1920's? Before it became popular in the 1920's the black was very much reserved for periods of mourning and considered to be indecent if worn outside such circumstances. A widow's mourning dress was closely observed, and black dresses were not to be worn otherwise. During the Victorian and Edwardian ages, a widow was expected to wear several stages of mourning dress. The first two years of mourning "Deep or full" mourning required the widow to wear plain black clothing with absolutely no embellishment for the first year. The second stage of morning lasted nine months and the widow was allowed to wear dresses made of black silk alone. The "ordinary mourning" which last three months the widow could accessorize her outfit a bit, with perhaps a black ribbon, a lace embroidery collar, or a well chosen piece of jet jewelry. The final six months of mourning known as "half-mourning" the widow was then allowed to wear muted or neutral colors: shades of purple were most common.
It was the year 1926, and "Vouge Magazine published "CoCo Chanel's " little black dress. The dress was calf length, with a straight line, and decorated with a few diagonal lines. Vogue called it " Chanel's Ford.... Naturally it was named after Fords Model T automobile. Chanel's little black dress took off like gang-busters, it became a staple for not only the wealthy woman, but copies were soon produced, which made it affordable for all women to have at least one little black dress in their closet.
The little black dress continued to be popular through the Great Depression, due to the little black dress be so economical yet elegance, it remained very popular. Hollywood's influence on the little black dress was evident, but for very practical reasons: as movies were being shot in Technicolor it became common for film-maker's to depend on little black dresses, because most colors became washed out and distorted on the big screen. During World War ll, the little black dress continued to be popular in part due to widespread rationing of textiles. The little black dress was very suitable for business wear, many more women were forced to enter the workforce, and needed affordable clothing, yet suitable clothing to conduct business.
The "New Look" The rise of "The House Of Dior'" in the post-war era and the sexual conservatism of the 1950s returned the little black dress to its roots, as a classical and stylish couture look. Hollywood starlets took the little black dress to new heights, the "little black halter-style dress". This was in big contrast to the more conservative little black dresses of your typical housewives . The newer synthetic fabrics of the 1940s and 1950s made the little black dresses more affordable than ever before.
In the 1960's versions of the little black dress gave way to the "miniskirt" the little black dresses were created as never before in very short length, with cut outs, slits, and bodices were being updated with lace, and tulle. The little black dress now demanded one have really good legs to pull off the shorter length...Many other women of the 1960's chose to wear tamed down versions, such as the simple black sheath, as worn by "Audrey Hepburn" in "Breakfast at Tiffany's.
The 1970's brought on the "jet set". The little black dress became a bit more feminine, But there were designers such as "Bill Blass" that kept the dress simple and elegant. Other designers were hell bent on making it skimpier, sexier... Made especially for women that frequented the disco's.
The popularity of the little black dress has not in the least suffered over the last 20 plus years... The casual fabrics, especially knits, have made the little black dress perfect for business, travel, and not to mention evening wear. The new fabric's and design's make it an attractive choice for fashion wise women today.
Designer's today have made it easy to find a little black dress in a figure flattering style, by making sure their design's versatile.
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