The history of the Little Black Dress
The little black dress is an iconic piece of clothing which has survived the test of time. Never truly going out of style, everyone owns their very own version of this fashion staple, whether it be a strapless mini, a floaty midi dress, or something entirely different!
But where did this all begin? And how did it come to be one of the most popular fashion items to date?
The first little black dress was credited to Coco Chanel, who designed the LBD in 1926, which graced the cover of Vogue accessorised with only a pearl necklace and hat. Black dresses existed way before this iconic dress, with Chanel having made a couple before this herself, however it was a case of right design, right time.
Previously a symbol for mourning, the little black dress was reflective of the modern thinking of the 1920s, alongside rising to fame shortly before the Great Depression in 1929. This made the LBD a popular choice for the modern woman, and offered a stylish yet affordable option for many women regardless of their class, many of whom were pinching the pennies in the depression era. It was also a dependable option for those who needed a versatile choice, as the little black dress could be dressed up or down, meaning a fashion choice that didn't break the bank.
The little black dress also survived wartimes, again as it was an affordable option for those rationing and wanting to look stylish and sophisticated. Gone were the flashy and luxurious fabrics and dyes, and thus the LBD appealed to the everyday woman looking to stylishly support the war effort with a demure and common material.
In the 50s, Christian Dior declared the little black dress a wardrobe essential, emphasising that it could be worn by anyone, of any age, for any occasion. The little black dress was deemed appropriate seasons round, and with all this in mind, could be found in the everyday wardrobe.
Movies quickly adopted the little black dress, with the high contrast of the colour black being favoured on screen. Beautiful actresses such as Anita Ekberg in La Dolce Vita (1960) and Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) were some of the celebrities which iconised the LBD.
The 60s saw the popularity of the shift dress, a boxy cut with a high neckline - a complete rejection of the 50s hourglass silhouettes. And of course, these came in black! LBDs of the era can be found with high, boat necklines, boxier cuts, and can be made from a variety of synthetic fabrics, due to the adoption of new production techniques.
The 70s saw the LBD take a floatier bohemian silhouette, with the hippy movement swooping in and seeing a rise in popularity for looser, more free moving clothing, alongside natural materials, alongside the popularity of the empire waistline.
The 1980s saw the little black dress get more eccentric, with vibrant silhouettes, padded or puff shoulders, and bubble skirts. The 90s did a complete U-turn, opting for a simple bodycon mini, popularised by various celebrities such as Pamela Anderson, Kate Moss, Jennifer Anniston, and Posh Spice. And who can forget Princess Diana's revenge dress?
Nowadays social media, alongside celebrities, love the little black dress, and every clothing store can be seen selling a couple variations. The push towards sustainability sees the hunt for a vintage little black dress popular, alongside sustainable luxury designs.
Truly something that has never gone out of style, we think the little black dress will continue to dominate wardrobes everywhere for a long time to come. So next time you ask yourself "What do I wear?" Just wear black!