By Lance and Elizabeth Cheramie
You have to wonder if Audrey Hepburn had any idea she was creating an iconic image when she graced posters sheet music for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in her little black dress in 1961.
The perfectly simple but sexy LBD has been around even longer than that, first introduced by Coco Chanel in 1926. It remains a fashion anomaly to this day, and if you’ve got holiday events on your calendar, you’ll want one hanging in your closet.
The best thing about the LBD—the sky is the limit. It’s not hindered by any specific style, size, or boundaries.
LBD History
Before Coco Chanel made shock waves in the fashion world with her LBD, women of her era fashioned themselves in the bright and heavy embroideries that dominated the fashion industry.
During WWI (1914–1918) and the Spanish Flu epidemic (1918–1919), it was common for women to wear black in public as they mourned the fatalities. To wear black for any other reason, however, was considered indecent.
Coco Chanel changed all that. In her hands, the LBD became the chic of chic, above all other dresses. Originally calf-length, straight-seamed with a few diagonal lines, short- or long-sleeved, Chanel’s simple dress was compared to Ford’s Model-T. Vogue called it “Chanel’s Ford.”
Very few apparel items can lay claim to such a statement! Chanel intended the LBD to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, and accessible to the widest market of women possible. Vogue also said the Little Black Dress would become “a sort of uniform for all women of taste.”
Because of its low price and charm, the LBD continued to grow in popularity during the Great Depression (1929–1933), although the hem line was altered to some extent.
The entertainment industry helped. Dresses in colors other than black appeared distorted on the big screen.
During WWII, when limited textiles were available and women began entering the workforce, the LBD became part of every woman’s wardrobe.
By 1950, young women were through with the military visage and wanted a feminine flair. Dior’s fashions satisfied the yearnings of upper class women, and he rose in popularity with his new line. During the 50s, the LBD was well-manicured and often associated with stars like Grace Kelly.
The generation gap that bloomed in the energetic, anything-goes 60s created a fashion division for the LBD. Younger women favored a short version of the dress that eventually became the mini.
The more mature woman preferred a simpler, stylish black dress similar to the one worn by Hepburn.
A trip to any boutique, or any girlfriend’s closet, will tell you that the LBD is still alive and well today in its myriad forms.
Finding Your LBD
The LBD is always in style, whether it’s strapless, backless, sleeveless, with sleeves, elaborate, simple, short or long.
Look for a design that’s right for the occasion and complements your own curves. Understanding the shape and proportions of your body, and knowing a few style guidelines, will help you find the dress that’s right for you.
Appealing fashion is achieved partly through balance, which is created by illusion.
If you have short legs, create an illusion that elongates the legs and shortens the torso by wearing accessories that draw the eye toward the shoulders and face. A scarf or bold necklace will do this
A dress with layers and a straight skirt is best for you. Choose belts that are medium to wide in width, shoes in the same color as your dress (black in this case!), and medium to high heels.
What you don’t want is a dress with a dropped waist or one that is tapered or tight.
If you’re petite, create an illusion that elongates the mid-torso by wearing accessories that draw the eye toward the shoulders and face.
Dresses should flow over the waist and flair at the lower portion of the skirt. Avoid a dress that gathers under the bust, or one with a long, loose-fitting skirt that brushes against your body, and stay away from wide belts and high waistbands.
Tall women with long legs and a short torso can balance their figures by creating the illusion of a longer mid-torso. Choose a dress with details that draw the eye downward. Prints on the skirt will do this. The skirt should be straight or have a high waist gathering under the bust with a long, loose-fitting skirt that brushes against your body.
You want accessories that are medium-long and don’t draw the eye upward, and stay away from pin stripes and wide belts!
Accessorize, Accessorize, Accessorize!
The little black dress is so versatile that it can move seamlessly from day to evening just by adding or removing accessories. The key to looking stylish and fantastic in your Little Black Dress this holiday season is to follow a few simple suggestions.
A formal party requires a more polished approach in jewelry choices, such as pearls or diamonds. Costume jewelry can give you the same elegant look at a fraction of the cost. Drop down earrings, diamond tennis bracelets, and a simple necklace can make the LBD pop.
For a cultured look, wear pearl earrings, a bevy of bracelets, and a necklace. Add a stylish clutch with some sparkle, a simple but elegant taffeta bag with a strap, or a metallic evening bag.
The most crucial accessory of all is, of course, the shoe!
A bold color like red, gold, or silver will add glamour to any LBD. Sling back pumps or a pump with a rounded toe line in black or silver will provide a classic and elegant look.
Makeup should be appropriate for the evening, and always remember to take into consideration the lighting. For parties that are dimly lit, heavy smoky eyes are appropriate with a neutral lip and cheek color. Aim for the “innocent smoky eye” look for bright lighting.
For a Hollywood glamour look, line the eyes with dark liquid eyeliner and color the lips in a bright or deep shade, such as a popping red. To finish the Hollywood glamour look, smoky colored eyeshadows can be applied in stone gray, black/gray, green/emeralds, gold/browns, blues and purples to compliment your lined and defined eyes.
Any LBD looks good with a beautiful scarf or cover-up to help keep you warm in the chilly fall air.
For those informal cocktail parties, or a night on the town, casual, trendy jewelry will make your LBD hip. Choose long earrings, bold necklaces, and chunky bangles. Trendy high heels in bold colors can add glam to any outfit. In the fall and winter months, boots with stylish hosiery, such as fishnets, or colorful tights and leggings change the look to trendy and stylish.
Makeup should be dramatic or following the rules mentioned above. Fun, stylish accessories can never be overdone, so wear lots of them.
Add a hat to give your LBD some flair. Wear a long jacket or stylish classic trench coat over the LBD for warmth in the cold winter months. The cropped bolero jacket is also stylish and a chic way to stay warm.
Don’t forget to add a trendy scarf as a hair accessory, around the neck, or under the collar of your favorite coat or jacket.
During this holiday season, you cannot go wrong with a sexy LBD.
M! October/November 2011
Leave a Reply