The iconic little black dress or petite robe noire, is one of the essential basics. When well chosen, it is a totally versatile piece that can be embed into all styles of outfits as long as you know how to accessorize it.
It owns her Wikipedia page, this should mean a lot by itself !
Here below quoted :
« The little black dress (LBD) is a black evening or cocktail dress, cut simply and often quite short. Fashion historians ascribe the origins of the little black dress to the 1920s designs of Coco Chanel. It is intended to be long-lasting, versatile, affordable, and widely accessible. Its ubiquity is such that it is often simply referred to as the LBD ».
Karl Lagerfeld said of the little black dress that it is :
« the basis of the basis of style »
« You can never be overdressed or underdressed in a little black dress »
A little black dress is such an elegant and classy item.
It stands on its own (or almost).
On top, it’s one of the few must-haves in black.
I can feel the big smile on black addicts’s face right now in front of me! HOURRA … finally! She recommends something black.
Yepp ! A little black dress is a rocket idea for your wardrobe!
Besides, there is not one but many little black dresses; depending on the occasion and the season!
How to select your little black dress ?
The material
Investin a quality piece, I can’t repeat it enough.
First of all, because cheap black is really not beautiful, it washes out very quickly, it pills.
Don’t forget that this dress is a basic part of your wardrobe.
If you choose well, it will last forever
The color should be a beautiful deep black.
The material should be soft so that you will want to wear it often.
The little black dress should be your ally, something you can rely on, a safe bet in your wardrobe.
It’s the cure for « I have nothing to wear ».
When you are out of inspiration but need to feel sexy, or to cheer yourself up for example, there will always be your friend the little black dress.
So it has to be flawless.
Pinterest*
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So which fabrics to pick ?
As mentioned above, there is not one, but many little black dresses.
I recommend that you have at least two:
- a wool (cashmere or merino) or woolen dress for autumn and winter,
- a silk dress for spring and summer.
I recommend that you always choose natural materials, if you have the choice.
For budget reasons or if you really like a particular model, you can also opt for a viscose dress which will have a nice flowing mouvement.
Be careful with polyester as it can look really cheap.
If you really want a polyester dress, make sure it’s a good quality crepe polyester.
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The cut
Choose the cut according to your silhouette
To make it a basic, choose a fairly classic cut, straight, flared or wrap.
It’s best to choose a length above the knee. This is a dress that should show off your legs.
But be careful, it shouldn’t be “mini” either, it’s a basic dress that you should be able to wear in any situation.
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How to wear you little black dress ?
The little black dress follows your moods and allows you to create an infinite number of looks :
- With pumps + chic jewellery for a very dressed-up look.
- With sneakers or boots for a more casual look.
- With a leather perfecto + biker boots for a rock look.
- With a checkered shirt + black rangers + a beanie for a grunge look.
You’ll understand, it’s the dress for all styles!
What kind of jacket to wear with the little black dress
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a long, straight blazer jacket if the dress is short,
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a short, slim-fitting jacket if the dress is knee-length or below the knee.
What kind of tights to combine with your little black dress
With fancy voile, feathered, lace or semi-opaque tights (between 20 and 40 denier).
Be careful with opaque tights and the look of …
THE REST IN THIS ARTCILE
- How to wear your little black dress with style: with which shoes, which jackets, and which accessories to combine for looks that really have style
- Mix & match: 22 outfit ideas and a downloadable PDF to help you out on those mornings when you run out of ideas!
- Pinterest inspirations: all the hot outfit ideas to wear your little black dress with maximum style!
Find this complete article in the wardrobe encyclopedia EBOOK “Everything you need to know about wardrobe items”.
*These are images for which the sources could not be identified on Pinterest.
Header picture credit:
Farfetch