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The Importance of the Little Black Dress

Posted: Thursday, April 12, 2012

By Dorthy Weatherbush


To truly understand what makes the little black dress so special and significant to fashion, you have to know its history. It is the most well known fashion icon of all time and got its start in 1926, when it was introduced to the world by fashion designer Coco Chanel.

The illustration for the simple sheath dress without collar or cuffs was published in Vogue magazine. Vogue rightly predicted that like the Ford Model T, the dress would become standard fair that women of every social class would want to own. Coco's affordable little black colored dress instantly became a symbol of elegance and functional chic.

Throughout history, the little black dress has been worn by top celebrities and influential women. Maybe the most influential example is Audrey Hepburn in the film classic, "Breakfast At Tiffany's." Audrey wore a form fitting black strapless gown featuring a floor length design creating a cool sophisticated look that women everywhere wanted to emulate.

Marilyn Monroe is also well remember for wearing multiple variations of this kind of dress, often custom designed to best show off her hourglass figure. In the 1990s, the beloved Princess Diana wore a black pleated chiffon dress to a party while her husband announced his adultery on television and kept the iconic dress alive for a new generation to explore.

To choose a perfect little black gown for you, keep in mind timeless style is not about buttons, ribbons and excess. Remember the woman makes the clothes not the other way around! Go with a simple design and simply dress it up or down using for the occasion.

The all dresses in your closet should suit your body type. Thinner less curvy women might try a plunging neckline to enhance the bust line or can go with a strapless dress without worrying about being exposed. Women with curvier shapes might look for an empire waist to elongate their bodies and a length below the knees to add balance. Women without a defined waist line or lacking much shape can look to an empire waist to give them curves and make the bust appear fuller. Gap.com offers a variety of classic and trendy dress styles that go with any figure.

With a little black cocktail dress, women can play up their best feature. Show off long toned legs with a mini little black dress. A plunging back is daring and sexy for those with defined backs, expertly showing off a svelte figure. A V neck does wonders for women with fuller bust. Though lots of trendy lengths can be found the timeless classic hem hits at the knees or slightly above. The material also tells a lot about how functional a little black dress is. Though spandex and other stretch materials work well, a linen, wool, silk or cashmere black dress will work great for any social occasion, they also flatter the form.

Clothing, cut style and a few funky accessories can help you completely transform a simple black dress. For instance, a little black mini dress paired up with tights and big jewelry gives an edgier look. For a daytime look, pair a black dress with a cardigan and flats to wear to the office.

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