History of the Little Black Dress

The initials LBD stands for one of the greatest inventions of all time–or at least in the 20th Century. No, it has nothing to do with advanced medicine, energy delivery systems or rocket science. LBD, as every woman knows, stands for Little Black Dress.

Jerry Gilden 50s Cocktail LBD. Image via Pinterest.

“One is never over or under dressed in a little black dress.” Karl Lagerfield for Chanel

The Birth of the LBD

Chanel’s LBD dress from 1926. Image via refinery29.

The LBD has a relatively short history in view of the whole of mankind, but in terms of modern fashion, it’s been around for a very long time. It was that most famous of famous designers, Coco Chanel, who first created the LBD in the 1920s. Chanel’s creations, which first appeared in Vogue in 1926, were deceptively simple drop-waist sheath dresses in black. The design quickly became “the” dress for 20s flappers.

Prior to this period, black clothing was a symbol of mourning (made popular during the Victorian era) and most women would not have worn black in their daily dress or for evening wear. Chanel, inspired by the peasant widows of WWI, elevated the black dress into something chic and elegant. She also promoted it as the one dress that every woman should own for its versatility and practicality–it is wearable for some many different occasions. It was this economy that led to its staying power–the Great Depression made economy a necessity for many and the austerity of the LBD was appropriate.

Dior’s “New Look”. Image via safehaventalk.

The New Look and Hollywood Glamour

The LBD had a new life under the Dior’s post WWII “New Look” and under the influence of glamorous Hollywood.  Gone were the days of the utilitarian necessity of the Depression era LBD–Dior and Hollywood restored its glamourous roots and made the LBD the dress of choice for Hollywood divas and temptresses. Stars like Rita Hayworth and Ava Gardner epitomized the LBD wearing femme fatale.

Rita Hayworth in a LBD. Image via Grace & Beauty.

The LBD became the costume of the evening and less appropriate to wear black as a day dress. Dior’s New Look version was nipped in at the waist and featured a fitted bodice. His first skirts were full, but narrowed in later collections.

Breakfast At Tiffany’s, Audrey Hepburn and Givenchy

Audrey Hepburn in Givenchy in Breakfast At Tiffany’s. Image via Divine Antheia.

When one thinks of the LBD, Audrey Hepburn comes to mind. She and Givenchy made the LBD of the 60s a cultural icon. His Breakfast at Tiffany’s design is easily one of the most  iconic dresses of all time (with only Marilyn Monroe’s’ white Seven Year Itch dress being more well known) and easily the most famous little black dress.

It was this design that cemented the LBD as fashion royalty and as the style that would forever denote polished sophistication and one that would never go out of style.

The Little Black Dress of Today.

Keyhole Dress at Anthropologie | Ted Baker Dress at Nordstrom | Ladder Dress at Mod Cloth | Bonded Dress at Dorothy Perkins | Rachel Roy Dress at Neiman Marcus