The LBD (little black dress) was named “little” because compared to all other types it always looks simple yet so sophisticated. The concept of creating a black dress for everyday wear had first Jean Patou, a French stylist, and perfumer, who wanted to dress regulars of French Riviera in a casual-chic style. But only Mademoiselle Chanel applied this idea in practice when the sketch of her LBD was published on the pages of the American Vogue in 1926 and made it a cult symbol.
In different periods, the shape and style of a dress changed, materials changed, but it always remained a definition of femininity and a “status quo” for women all over the world. Long-length turned to mid-length and conceded to mini; corsets stepped aside to flowing silhouettes; upper tops covering shoulders up to the neck were substituted by off-the-shoulders and cuts; stiffed materials of the Epoque stepped back to flowy fabrics, and then to sheer and transparent tissues. All of it to embrace the fashion trends in different periods, and today, to embrace the exigencies of women with its strong personality desiring to express at best their status, personality, and independent taste.
Emancipation and feminism are strongly guiding modern women’s choices. Nevertheless, the right dress remains the best choice for most occasions: casual, business, or pleasure. It is embraced from business ladies to sports athletes and housekeepers.
In the history of fashion, certain garments deserve special attention, and one of them is the LBD (little black dress). It became the synonym of style, femininity, good taste, and absolute elegance. Before the XX century, in many countries, a black dress was worn only for mourning. But with the LBD made by Coco Chanel, it reached such perfection to remain on-trend through the entire XX century and with ease kept its top positioning in the wardrobes of women in the XXI century.
Chanel’s LBD is a symbol of elegance and refined taste. It embraces sophistication, luxury, comfort, and naturalness. Wearing Chanel means more than just dressing up in the brand’s production; it means embracing an attitude and feel a certain life approach. Her LBD was:
- Made from black crepe material
- A straight silhouette with a low waist – a model that suits great any woman shape
- A boat neckline and long straight sleeves with no turn-ups
- Length mid-calf
- An important detail – the fabric cut in two triangles met halfway on diagonal creating a visually elongated figure, that suited everybody
An LBD may be almost imperceptible, emphasizing naturally the beautiful shape of a woman’s body. A black dress will not take away the attention from the personality. It also becomes the base for many designers, who can develop different shapes and create unique styles, from classical to avant-garde, from sports to romantic and sophisticated evening gowns.
Several times the LBD was the protagonist worn by the best movie stars. Every star we know, from the present days and the past centuries, has worn at least once an LBD for some special occasion, from Red carpets to Grammy awards and Oscar ceremonies.
Karl Lagerfeld, the most iconic and outrageous fashion designer, embraced black and wore it as his “signature look”, dressing black suit, black sunglasses, and black gloves. He used to say: “One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress.” He was so right!
Fashion has a sweet romance with BLACK as color. It cannot be replaced or canceled. It has no competitors among colors. Even when fashion magazines are screaming out loud at the beginning of each season that Scarlet Red (or any other Pantone color) is “the new black” black will not go anywhere. It was fashionable, it is in fashion, and it will remain fashionable forever! We all keep in mind the LBD created by Coco Chanel to wear each day in the memory of her lost love for Boy Capel, the feminine “new look” made by Christian Dior, the semi-transparent black fabrics used by Nina Ricci, the sexy black mini dress in polished leather made by Versace, and many more.
When the color is neutral and unchanged as BLACK, the attention goes on the cut, the silhouette, and the fabric itself. It is great to have such a vast selection of dresses, which can be stitched or knitted, with deep cuts, asymmetric stitches, different collars, and various sleeves.
In the Sixties, black has become the alternative color for the youthful generation: everyone, from punk to rock, was wearing black as a symbol of withstanding society values. Bikers wear black leather from head to toes running on Harley Davidson motorcycles.
In the Nineties, a period that in Western Europe and the USA was guided by minimalism, black was at the top of popularity. It was a period of stability and economic growth.
The Black DRESS has concurred the world and managed to rule fashion trends but also adapt to nationalities: in France ruling haute couture, in Italy embracing sex appeal, in the USA becoming a standard for elegance and status. The dressing style in every country had its particularities depending on the historical period, economic and social conditions, climate, and national traditions.
Best wishes,
Nadiya
MetropolitanMe Blogger