Most modern-day fashionistas associate the LBD trend with Audrey Hepburn's iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's little black dress. However, the versatile yet luxurious go-to outfit choice for many fashion trend followers dates all the way back to the early 1900s.
The birth of The Little Black Dress
Born on August 19th, 1883, Gabrielle Chanel is one of the most famous Haute Couture designers in the world. After opening many couture boutiques in France in the early 1900s, she was quickly regarded as the style icon of the 1930s by inspiring women to present and celebrate their bodies in a new way. Coco’s haute couture brand specialised in garments such as women's hats, sportswear, and iconic fragrances. However, it was not until October 1926 that Chanel created the world's first little black dress. Published in Vogue’s crepe de Chine, the simple yet chic design exhibited long sleeves, a drop waist, and accessories with a single string of pearls. Vogue magazine described the dress as “a sort of uniform for all women of taste”, calling it “the frock that all the world will wear”.
‘I imposed black; it's still going strong today, for black wipes out everything else around.’ – Coco Chanel
Chanel illustration in American Vogue, October 1926.
https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/aw21-little-black-dress-trend
Chanel’s design was simple and accessible to women of all classes. As the little black dress was released in the Great Depression era and textiles and fabrics were rationed during the War, women could still dress elegantly in an affordable way. The dress embodied the liberal spirit of the Roaring Twenties; when young women everywhere wanted to let society know that change was afoot.
The Progression of the LBD…
In the late 1940s post War, Christian Dior debuted his ‘new Look’ collection which changed women's fashion trends. He encouraged a more seductive development of the little black dress, as the 1950s dresses embodied fuller skirts, cinched waists, and rounded shoulders. Popularised by Hollywood stars such as Marilyn Monroe, the rise of the femme fatale meant that the little black dress became a signifier of a dangerous woman in contrast to the more conservative styles worn by 50s housewives.
Hepburn’s Timeless Dress
The 1960s are infamous for one of the most famous dresses in cinematic history. Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress as previously mentioned in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) is one of Givenchy’s most widely recognised designs. In the famous opening scene of Blake Edwards’ movie, Hepburn’s character, Holly Golightly, is filmed eating a croissant and sipping coffee whilst admiring Tiffany’s Jewellery on NYC’s fifth avenue, all the while wearing her Givenchy LBD from the previous night’s party…iconic.
Considered one of the most influential dresses in the history of 20th-century clothing and costume design. Givenchy’s modern interpretation of Chanel’s little black dress worn by Hepburn portrays a classic, longer dress accessorised with a string of pearly and long satin gloves.
Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy little black dress from "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
The Later Decades and the LBD
The little black dress truly made a comeback in the late decades of the century as fashionistas entered the era for part dresses and minimalist slip dresses. The grunge, pop era of the 1990s saw the combination of the little black dress styled with boots and sandals. Victoria Beckham’s pop star alter-ego, Posh Spice, was synonymous with little black dresses. However, the most iconic LBD moment must go to Princess Diana and her debut of the ‘revenge dress’ in 1994. Diana wore a black Christina Stambolian dress to the Serpentine Gallery's summer party hosted by Vanity Fair, the same night that her husband Charles, Prince of Wales admitted to having an adulterous affair with Camilla Parker Bowles. Her ‘revenge dress’ has since become one of her best-known looks & helped to cement Diana’s status as a fashion icon.
Princess Diana arriving at the Serpentine Gallery in a gown by Christina Stambolian, June 1994. Jayne Fincher / Getty Images
In today’s modern society, we walk past women wearing a little black dress every day…Styled with any accessory to create a dressed-up or casual look, this versatile garment is an essential piece to make a staple in a capsule wardrobe. Fashion influencers and celebrities put their personal twist on the LBD, from Kendall Jenner pictured wearing a 70’s inspired collared dress paired with black leather knee-high boots, to Meghan Markle styling a minimalist form-fitting little black maternity dress under a beige trench coat.
A roundup, the little black dress: an affordable, timeless garment that can be worn to any occasion whatever the season or style. Either love it or hate it, the little black dress is here to stay and I am completely here for it! Below are a few trending LBDs currently sold on the high street. This trend will be around for centuries, so I would suggest purchasing this timeless piece and embracing your inner Audrey!
Mango
ZARA
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