TIMELESS FASHION: The Rise of The Little Black Dress

Written by: Erin Abramowicz

When it comes to fashion, trends are something we tend to keep an eye on. What’s new? What’s next? What’s on the rise? What’s fading out? Most of the time, trends are short lived. Few trends end up lasting longer than a few years. Many end up making a resurgence decades after they die out. But some never lose their traction. They never make a comeback because they never die in the first place. Few trends achieve this feat and become timeless, staple closet pieces. Perhaps the most famous example of this would be the little black dress. Few other clothing trends have been able to emulate its success — an iconic piece of both fashion and pop culture. So where did it come from and how did it become one of the most popular pieces of clothing to own? 

Coco Chanel was the designer to introduce the concept of the contemporary little black dress in a drawing in a 1926 Vogue issue (Goldstone, Penny). Dresses weren’t an uncommon garment to wear on a daily basis during this time, but a black dress was. During this period, dresses were often brightly colored and black dresses were worn in times of mourning, so Chanel’s little black dress being marketed as haute couture was initially surprising. However, Chanel was no stranger to the nontraditional. She often incorporated unusual cuts and fabrics into her work, including bits and pieces of designs meant for men’s clothing. The dress was nicknamed “Chanel’s Ford” or “The Ford,” a reference to the popular Ford Model T. The goal was to make the dress accessible to all: simple, functional, and affordable. Because the inexpensive yet elegant dress came out during the Great Depression era, its rise in popularity was quick (Eschner, Kat).  

Years later, post-World War II, designer Christian Dior gave the classic little black dress a revamp. His design included a cinched waist and a full skirt. This revamp gave rise to the introduction of the little black dress into mainstream Hollywood (Eschner, Kat). Then, in 1961, Audrey Hepburn immortalized the garment as Holly Golightly in the iconic opening scene of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. She graced the screen in a simple, black Givenchy dress accessorized by a Tiffany necklace that consisted of rows of pearls and a brooch in her hair (Reynaud, Floriane). This reflected the original intention for the little black dress — a simple, yet elegant garment perfect for accessorizing. Ever since, the little black dress has been an iconic piece of pop culture and a perfect picture of style in the fashion world with its minimalist yet tasteful approach to elegance. 

Today, nearly 100 years since its introduction, the little black dress has been modeled by the likes of fashion icons like Zendaya, Beyoncé, Cara Delevingne, and many more. The dress’s simplicity gives it an incredible ability to be accessorized, altered, and customized for any occasion in a truly infinite number of ways. It can — and has — been styled to fit the coming and going trends of each era: from Joan Bennet’s flapper style dress in 1928, to Elizabeth Taylor donning a tea length black gown in 1950, and Princess Diana’s silk, off-the-shoulder little black dress in 1994 (Brunker, Alicia and Charlotte Chilton). It is likely that the little black dress will never go out of style. Its nearly one-hundred-year reign in fashion and pop culture shows no sign of ending anytime soon. The versatility and adaptability of the little black dress have truly made it a timeless garment. 

Sources:

Brunker, Alicia and Charlotte Chilton. “The Evolution of the Little Black Dress.” ELLE, 17 June 2022, www.elle.com/fashion/g8192/evolution-of-the-little-black-dress/?slide=3. 

Eschner, Kat. “Why Coco Chanel Created the Little Black Dress.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 29 Sept. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-coco-chanel-created-lbd-180965024/. 

Penny Goldstone. “History of the Little Black Dress from Coco Chanel to Audrey Hepburn.” Marie Claire, 4 Aug. 2017, www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/little-black-dress-524293. 

Reynaud, Floriane. “The Story behind That Little Black Dress Worn by Audrey Hepburn in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.” Vogue Hong Kong, www.voguehk.com/en/article/fashion/audrey-hepburn-givenchy-little-black-dress-breakfast-at-tiffanys/.

Hobbs, Julia. “A Definitive List of Perfect Lbds to Wear When This Is All Over.” British Vogue, British Vogue, 2 May 2021, https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/aw21-little-black-dress-trend.