Invest In A Little Black Dress
Image Courtesy: Getty Images (Left) & Getty Images (Right)
French fashion designer, Coco Chanel, once said “I imposed black; it's still going strong today, for black wipes out everything else around.”
In other words, everyone looks sexy in black.
The little black dress, or LBD for short, has been a staple in women’s fashion for several decades. Besides being both classic and stylish, the garment is accessible and affordable to women regardless of socioeconomic background. This was Coco Chanel’s intention. She wanted people to stop associating the color black with mourning and death, so she took it into her own hands and designed “a sort of uniform for all women of taste.”
Ever since Chanel’s first design in the early 20th century, LBDs have certainly been in the spotlight. Before Betty Boop’s character was colorized even she wore a skimpy black dress. In 1961, Hubert de Givenchy created Audrey Hepburn’s famous LBD worn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Similar to Chanel’s first design, Hepburn’s gown was styled with intricate pearl necklaces. Pearls were the standard accessory at the time for styling LBDs, adding a flair of contrast between the light pearls and dark gown. Decidedly, my personal favorite execution of the little black dress is Princess Diana’s “revenge dress” by Christina Stambolian in 1994.
Image Courtesy: Getty Images
Arguably, the best thing about owning a little black dress is the wide range of styling options available. These days, a LBD can be styled for a classy, black tie event or a casual, errand-running day. And little black dresses are always in season. Although black isn’t always a preferred color for the summertime, a LBD made of nylon or cotton may be a more reasonable option for hot weather. Style it with cute sunglasses and a pair of sneakers and you’ll still be comfortable but look effortlessly chic. Working with LBDs in the springtime is basically the same. For a diverse color palette, wear colorful accessories like socks, earrings, and headbands.
For the fall and winter seasons, layering a little black dress is the best way to stay warm. Turtlenecks, cardigans, sweaters, and tights are styling staples for LBDs in colder weather. LBDs can look plain by themselves (and if that is your intention, that’s okay) so to elevate your garment, make sure to add accessories. Accessorizing is key. A bold red turtleneck under a little black dress with a black chunky belt is one of my favorite ways to style a LBD. Add fishnet leggings and thick socks with a pair of boots—you’ll look classy, and you’ll be warm.
Image Courtesy: Buzzfeed
Think of a little black dress as a blank canvas. Investing in 1 or 2 (or 3 or 4 or 5…) will ensure that you will always have something to wear for almost any occasion. Going on a dinner date? A small heel, a light cardigan, and gold jewelry goes great with a little black dress. Late to class? Throw on a flannel over that LBD and grab a pair of tennis shoes. The best thing about the little black dress is that we can do whatever we want with it because there’s no wrong answer—just as Coco Chanel intended.
Strike Out,
Orlando
Writer: Tatiana Brown
Copy Editor: Emma Twilley
Content Editor: Gabby Macogay
Tatiana Brown is a content writer for Strike Magazine Orlando. If she’s not writing articles, she’s probably watching sitcoms or romcoms. She has an obsession with Mike & Ike’s, and is always snacking on something sweet. You can reach her at tatibrown14@gmail.com.