Which dress comes to your mind during your last-minute night parties? Yes, you have guessed it right. It’s the Little Black Dress! Since its introduction, the Little Black Dress (LBD) has been the fashion staple of every woman who loves trendy outfits. But what is the little black dress, and who created it? Many say Hubert de Givenchy introduced it, and some believe Coco Chanel introduced it. Which one is true? Let’s get into the article to find out more about the “little black dress history.”
History of the Little Black Dress
Fashion historians say that the famously known little black dress originated in the 1920s. It was designed by a Parisian designer named Coco Chanel. When black dresses were worn only for mourning, Coco Chanel introduced the simple little black dress in the ‘Vogue’ magazine in 1926. And, this is where the history of the LBD began.
The Little Black Dress has been the fashion staple of most women.
- A. True
- B. False
Little Black Dress Evolution
Vogue published a drawing of a simple black dress in crêpe de Chine. The dress was designed with long narrow sleeves and accessorized with a string of pearls. It was published as ‘Chanel’s Ford,’ which meant the dress was simple and accessible to women of all classes. Its design was intended to be long-lasting, classic, versatile, elegant, and affordable, all at once.
Vogue also mentioned that the LBD would become ‘a sort of uniform for all women of taste.’ The prediction was spot-on! The dress became popular throughout the 1930s. Because of the Great Depression, many people started opting for the Coco Chanel little black dress. Many women began liking it owing to its simplicity. It was a period when women started stepping out of the trend of tight and restricted clothes. Hence, the affordable yet elegant and comfortable style of the LBD attracted lots of women. And thus began the iconic black dress evolution!
Fashion Journey of the Black Cocktail Dress
The LBD is famously referred to as the classic piece of women’s clothing. It is designed as an evening or cocktail dress, which is often cut short. If you are planning to go to a grand cocktail party, you can wear an LBD in style. You’ll definitely like it! You might also be interested in the 5 surprising classic cocktail origin stories.
Many fashion observers say that the little black dress lets you wear it depending on the occasion, but you have to accessorize it the right way. You can pair it with any of the following, depending on the occasion:
- A denim jacket for a night out
- A blazer for road trips
- As formalwear for an office party
The LBD can be accessorized with pearls or pendants for a date night.
Though the LBD seems like a simple piece of clothing, it serves several purposes in a woman’s wardrobe. And, the little black dress has seen many changes through the years.
The famous black cocktail dress story seems interesting, isn’t it?
Iconic Black Dress Facts
Now that you have read about the iconic LBD’s past, let’s dig deeper into some black dress facts.
Over the years, the fashion world started to adopt the LBD trend quickly, and it became more and more popular. Sheath dresses, shoulder suits, and pouf dresses were later introduced in the subsequent years. The minimalist slip dress of the 90s is arguably one of the most talked-about dresses in the world of fashion.
Popular Appearances of the Little Black Dress
The evolution of the famous black dress over the years can be clearly seen among celebrities, who flaunted it with pride on various occasions. Many famous Hollywood stars have also adopted the LBD style on and off-screen.
- Joan Bennet was one of the first people to flaunt the black dress in 1928 before it became popular. She chose to wear it with a cloche hat.
- Do you know that Marilyn Monroe was also found wearing a body-hugging black dress in 1956? If you are a fan of her, you must read about Marilyn Monroe beyond the screens.
- After actress Audrey Hepburn wore it in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in 1961, it became one of the most famous dresses in Hollywood’s history. The original dress was later auctioned for a whacking £467k in 2006. When the dress was originally designed, the film studios thought it showed too much of Audrey’s legs. So, the lower half was later designed by costume designer, Edith Head.
- The historical black dress significance was further emphasized by Joan Crawford, who was found flaunting a tulle scoop neck black dress in ‘The Tonight Show’ of 1962.
- In 1970, Jacqueline Kennedy wore a ruffle-sleeved black dress.
- Princess Diana is not an exception. In 1994, she was slaying in an off-the-shoulder black dress. Yes, it is the ‘revenge dress’ we are talking about. She wore it after her divorce from Prince Charles. Greek designer Christina Stambolian designed it.
- Elizabeth Hurley was seen wearing a black Versace dress, along with some gold pins, at the premiere of the movie, “Four Weddings and a Funeral.” She was spotted with her then-boyfriend, Hugh Grant, who has acted in the movie.
- Many other celebrities, including Naomi Campbell, Cara Delevingne, and Beyonce, have worn the little black dress. Now, check if you can name the celebrities based on their outfits.
We hope you enjoyed reading about the little black dress fashion history. It has now become an evergreen dress that you can flaunt with elegance on any occasion. Just pair it with suitable accessories and rock the show!