Just like the white shirt, no fashion lover can ever get enough of the “little black dress” (LBD). It represents style and elegance, and can be worn on many occasions. And, it has become quite the uniform for those times when you are at your wit’s end trying to figure out what to wear but want to look super chic.
To put it simply, it makes choosing an outfit so much easier. After all, it was the late great Gabrielle Chanel who sparked the style in 1926. Her design, a black silk crepe de chine sheath with long, close-fitting sleeves and a knee-high hemline was simple yet sophisticated, prompting Vogue magazine to declare that it would become a wardrobe staple for all women of taste.
Read more: Wrist takers: Bangles and bracelets that make a stylish statement Which explains why, every designer you’ve heard of has created the LBD, and countless others you’ve never heard of have as well. The beauty of the LBD lies in its adaptability. Think of it as a canvas that can easily be accessorised, which makes it an indispensable closet chameleon.
Pair it with the right bling, and it’s ready for a grand affair. Throw on a blazer, and it becomes office-appropriate. It can even have that cool, quirky edge, as seen on Miu Miu’s Spring/Summer 2024 runway where a black brocade LBD is worn over a blue-and-white checked cotton shirt.
Equally edgy is luxury Australian fashion brand Dion Lee’s “safety slider gathered dress”. Not your average LBD, it has pointed collars and a s.
