Evolution of the Little Black Dress

The little black dress, commonly referred to as the LBD, has stood as the most standard essential in every woman’s closet for the majority of the last century and most likely years to come.

When Coco Chanel first revealed the dress in a 1926 issue of Vogue, people had their doubts. Even a fellow designer at the time criticized the frock calling it, “widow’s weeds.”  Soon, however, the trend took flight. It began to be mass-produced at different price points for women of all income levels to enjoy. The “democratic dress” won over the hearts of many with its simple design that seemed to flatter just about everyone.

As the years went by, the little black dress began to evolve. Each decade has an “it girl” who wore it best, and in turn made it  iconic. Who could forget the quirky Holly Golightly from Breakfast at Tiffany’s peering into the infamous window on 5^th Avenue, or the always classy Jaqueline Kennedy?

To this day, every woman’s favorite go-to garment shows up everywhere from the Red Carpet to the workplace. Eliza Starbuck, designer of Bright Young Things, has even created a line that consists only of one item: the little black dress.

The design was simple but could be worn and accessorized in many ways.  Starbuck then challenged her consumers to find the most unique way to wear her classic design — perking it up with day-glo tights, layered with fun prints and funky jewelery — with the little black dress as your canvas, the possibilities are endless.

The results prove that not only is the LBD the most classic article of clothing in your closet, but also the most versatile…as if you needed another reason to love it.

When creating your own style in an LBD, make sure first and foremost that you find the right cut and fit for your body type. There are a wide variety out there — or a tall and slender frame, a nice straight line will work perfectly for you. For a curvier shape, opt for more of an A-line cut.

As far as styling your look, try to find as many different accessories as possible. This will give you several different options to wear throughout the week. I like adding a cardigan and pearls for work and swapping out the pearls for a funky studded belt in the evening.  Add a splash of color with a scarf or wild pair of heels.  That’s probably my favorite thing about the LBD, it can bring you from the office to a night on the town with no stops in between, and will always and forever be classic and chic.