By Marja RöntyLong gone are the days when only mourners and widows were swathed in black. The Little Black Dress, or LBD for those in the know, is a true tried and tested fashion icon ever since Coco Chanel introduced it in 1926. It is one of those wardrobe staples – or shall we say the wardrobe staple – no woman should live her life without.
The little black dress pops up in new collections every season and comes in various cuts, lengths and fabrics to offer sleekness and style to all women, regardless of their shape.
Expecting mums can enjoy its sophisticated appeal – Grey’s Anatomy’s Jessica Capshaw recently donned it on the red carpet, all curves with her second baby due later this year. Even nerds can let out their inner fashionista with a little black dress that has pockets deep enough for an iPad. It goes on to prove pink sequined evening gowns may go with red carpets but the LBD goes with everything.
Designers relish in recreating our best friend and the variety on offer is a surefire fix for any looming lifestyle malfunction.
Alex Perry‘s new Melrose dress comes with glamorous feathering, while Chanel’s take on the LBD is prim enough for a Sunday brunch with the in-laws. Gucci’s athletic, skintight little black dress peek-a-boos with strategically placed vents and a front zipper that goes to town.
High street doesn’t fare much worse, with labels like Saba and Sportscraft offering stylish and sleek LBDs that deliver. And we absolutely love Supre‘s stretchy cotton little black nothings that clubbing goddesses can sweat and boogie to oblivion without worry about destroying the month’s wages.
The LBD covers a multitude of sins. We love the slimline effect of black that tells the world we go to the gym regularly and the fact we can keep on spilling glasses of chardonnay on it several times a year and still spout a non-existent laundry bill.
Ah, where would we be without our little black dress?
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Images: Chanel – Monica Feudi/GoRunway.com; Gucci – Marcio Madeira
