The Eternal Little Black Dress
The little black dress is here to stay even though people keeping saying that brown is the new black. The indispensable black cocktail dress was first introduced to us by Coco Chanel in 1926 and it was not long before it became the epitome of fashion. The little black dress is worn everywhere – from casinos to cocktail parties to funerals.’
As an object of fashion it is almost iconoclastic. It was the uniform of the twentieth century. It was a perfectly simple but sexy object. It is one of the few items of clothing that never seems to be affected by trends. It also tends to stay chick.
The black cocktail dress knows no style, social or size boundaries. Whether it costs one thousand dollars or fifty dollars or whether is a size two or a size 22 it is still the little black cocktail dress. All the big fashionistas, including Anna Wintour and Coco Chanel always said that a woman should have at least one of these in her closet.
The black dress changes in construction but not as much as other garments. It can be above the knee or below the knee, have any kind of collar or have any type of shoulder construction or strap. This season is no different than any other.
Black was not always a fashionable color. Before Coco Chanel introduced her chic outfits and dresses to the world it was a color that was only seen at funerals. If you want to read a book about the history of this dress there is a good one with great photos called “Little Black Dress” by Amy H. Eldelman.
There are tips for looking fierce in your little black dress this holiday season. For one thing the whole black tights with a black cocktail dress look is out. You are better off to have bare legs or flesh colored legs. The more sheer your hose is the classier it is going to look.
The black cocktail dress that never goes out of style is knee length with no sleeves. A good shape has slightly capped sleeves and a high scooped neck. The sexest versions of this have V’s in the back.
If you are larger in size you will look fantastic in a dress with a lace or chiffon skirt. The fuller skirt hides full hips and thighs. Add a sash at the waist to create an instant neckline.
The beautiful thing about a black cocktail dress is that it supports accessories so well. It is like a blank canvas that you can embellish with any type of jewelry. Gold jewelry with a black dress “reads older” than silver jewelry. You can add primary splashes of color for a very contemporary look.