Fashion staple: The Immortal Little Black Dress

Fashion's iconic masterpiece has managed to withstand the test of time, but what makes the garment so unique? Fashionistas tell it like it is.

'One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress.' - Karl Lagerfeld
Last month actress Katie Holmes appeared on The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon in a classic little black dress, and the Internet erupted. 'Katie Holmes Perfects the Little Black Dress on Jimmy Fallon,' screamed Hello! magazine, while many took to social media to voice their approval. The no-frills, figure hugging dress that got everyone talking was a Zac Posen number that featured a bardot-style neckline and an extra panel across the shoulder. It was simple, with barely-there accessories, and it was perfect.
It isn't the first time that the timeless little black dress managed to make headlines, and it won't be the last. It is, in essence, a simple black garment, and its popular acronym, LBD, even found a place in the Oxford Dictionary in 2010. In fact, over the years, the little black dress has achieved a bit of a cult status in the world of fashion; every celebrity worth her grain of salt has their own take on the dress, from fashion icons such as Sarah Jessica Parker, to outrageous dressers like Lady Gaga. And while there are a lot of factors that contribute to its immense popularity, it can really be credited is its long and illustrious history. 

Before Audrey Hepburn donned the perfect black sheath and pearls in Breakfast at Tiffany's, black was not a colour seen very often at happy occasions. In fact, before the 1920s, black was specifically seen as the colour of mourning, and any attempt to wear it outside such circumstances was considered lewd and scandalous. Take for example, American artist John Singer Sargent whose portrait of Madame X, featuring a black dress with a plunging neckline and skimpy straps, horrified Parisians. This was taken to a whole new level during the Victorian ages, when a widow was required to wear different black coloured clothing for a period of at least two years. With the rising number of casualties from World War I, it became all too common to see women dressed from head to toe in the hue. It was during this time that Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel revolutionised the way we see this dress forever, when a picture of a simple calf-length (which was considered 'little' back then) black dress was published in American Vogue.
Over the years, many other factors have elevated its status - It became seen as common uniform during World War II due to the rationing of textiles. Later, Hollywood fell in love with the classic garment as other colours looked distorted on screen, with the advent of technicolour films. Femme fatales in risqué halter necks soon became all the rage. And, of course, Audrey Hepburn then appeared in Breakfast at Tiffany's, looking effortlessly chic in a Givenchy gown, sunglasses and elbow-length gloves, and inspired hundreds of copycats.
Today, the little black dress is seen as something of an anomaly. It is the only exception to fashion's long-held belief that 'change is the only constant'. Not that the little black dress hasn't had its own evolution - over the years we've all seen hemlines shorten and more risky pairings used in terms of accessories. But by and large, it is common understanding that the little black dress is here to stay. The reason for that is simple - it is perfect for women of all ages and all body types. The ever-so-versatile hue is able to smooth over all bumps, highlight one's best features and lends a slimming effect as well.
"When in doubt, just wear a little black dress," says dubai-based fashion blogger Ramona Naseri. "It is after all an ageless piece that simply must be found in every single woman's wardrobe. The secret to its appeal is its simplicity; if carefully constructed and fitting, it can make a woman of any age and shape look chic."
Dubai-based fashion and lifestyle blogger Bettina Micu agrees. "The most timeless piece of clothing in a woman's wardrobe is a little black dress. You can dress it up or dress it down to suit almost any occasion. The outcome, however, is always classy and sophisticated."
Little black dresses have made quite the impact in the UAE market. Not only are they a go-to choice for busy women in the region who balance their work and personal lives, major brands also make it a point to give consumers a choice in the LBD department. Just last year, Splash Fashions released 'seven stylish LBDs from seven decades'. Their reasoning was irrefutable - every woman needs a little black dress.

"The LBDs displayed confirmed that the fashion trends from the 40s and 50s did make a huge comeback in the recent years," explains ShahdAlJumaily, a fashion influencer who has worked with the brand in the past. "Feminine dresses and big skirts can be found in every woman's closet these days. These dresses are widely popular in the Middle East and they look good on everyone. Black is a timeless classic colour, and you simply cannot go wrong in it."
Believing that one cannot go wrong in a little black dress prompts another question though - is the LBD worn as a way of playing it safe? This was certainly believed by many in the 1990s, when colour re-emerged as the new-glam factor, sidelining simple black garments.  
"At a certain point, the LBD is perfect if you want to play it safe," admits Dubai-based fashion blogger Mariyah Gaspacho. "But that's technically because of its simplicity. That doesn't stop you from playing around with it. Many women choose to give it an edgy look with a pair of heels (although my go-to accessories would be a pair of sneakers). How you carry yourself and how you style your average LBD makes all the difference."
Mariyah also admits that the demand for LBDs is huge in the UAE and that 'roughly 60 per cent of all women attending events are usually seen donning them'. This can also be credited to the fast-paced way lifestyle in the UAE, where most women do not get the chance to change for multiple events, making the dress their ultimate 'quick fix'.
"As a mum, I have all these different things I have to do," explains Dubai-based Deepti Chandak. "When you are out with your family, it is usually such a last minute rush, but when you have a LBD, you don't have to worry about time or the occasion. Whether it is an event for your kids or a brunch or a party, you're covered!"
Back in 1926, when Coco Chanel first published a picture of their simple LBD, it was American Vogue that cemented the dress' position as a fashion icon when it predicted that it would become 'a sort of uniform for all women of taste'. Almost 90 years down the line, these words could ring more true.

PICK OUT THE PERFECT LBD For pear-shaped body type: Work with full skirts and disguise hips by showing off the waist. Accentuate the upper half of the body with the help of a flattering fitted halter or strapless design For inverted triangle body type: Strapless dresses or one-shoulder dresses and asymmetrical necklines are best as they show off the shoulders. Opt for skirts that have a slight flair For petite figures: Look for dresses that accentuate curves, such as a classic peplum styles. Stay away from dresses that contain ruffles or giant bow to avoid looking too young For hourglass figures: Show off a small waistline with bodycon dresses or dresses with flared skirts and clinched waists. For apple-shaped body types: Look for an LBD that does not emphasise your mid-section. Dress that either raise, lower or eliminate the waistline altogether (think empire waist dresses) are your best bet

janice@khaleejtimes.com

Janice Rodrigues