Picture the iconic scene in the Audrey Hepburn film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s“. Holly Golightly gently glides out of a yellow cab dressed in a slinky black Givenchy dress. Around her neck is a stunning stack of pearls. Her hair is in a high chignon and thick black sunglasses cover her expressive eyes. She sips coffee and nibbles on a Danish, peering at the display window of Tiffany’s.
The Little Black Dress or LBD is a classic clothing item for women. It became very popular after the designer Coco Chanel made it famous in the 1920s. It’s the ideal garment to wear to fancy events and fashion shows. The Little Black Dress was a piece that Hepburn turned to again and again, cementing its status as a forever wardrobe staple.
For four or five years, I only used black. My dresses sold like hot cakes. I gave them a small added touch, a little white collar and cuffs. Everybody wore them; from actresses and society ladies to chambermaids.
Coco Chanel as quoted in Jean Christophe Napias and Patrick Mauries, The World According to Coco, 2020
La Dolce Vita dress
The beautiful strapless black dress became famous from the 1960 film “La Dolce Vita.” It was in an iconic scene from the movie where the actress Anita Ekberg wades into the Trevi Fountain in Rome. Designed by the Fontana Sisters, the dress helped to demonstrate just how classic and important a simple black dress can be in fashion.
Wardrobe Staple
The LBD is one of the most versatile pieces of clothing a woman will ever own. It’s perfect as a work wardrobe staple or for dressing up to wear to formal events. Worn long, short or midi, it can be styled in multiple ways. To create a classic Audrey Hepburn look, wear a short shift dress with pearls, stiletto heels and add a black clutch bag. For a more casual, day-time look, wear a fitted midi dress with pumps and minimal jewellery.
Vintage LBD
My ‘go to’ LBD is a vintage mock turtleneck 60s inspired black mini dress by Succubus. Both comfortable & stylish, it’s the perfect day to night dress. Pair it with knee high boots or ballet pumps for day & kitten heels for evening wear.
Five pieces every girl needs in her closet are; a great pair of jeans, a good black heel, a great little black dress, tank tops for layering, and a jacket that can be worn day or night.
Kirstin Cavallari interview with Seventeen magazine, 23 May 2011
Well done Edel, great segment on a great little number!
Glad you enjoyed Sarah & thanks for reading!