LBD

“You can wear black at any hour of the day or night, at any age and for any occasion.  A little black dress is the most essential thing in a woman’s wardrobe.”

This quote, written by Christian Dior in 1954, is the essence of my second blog post.  The history of the black dress dates back to before the 1920s when it was inappropriate to wear black for anything other than a period of mourning.   So how did it come to be known as the one piece of clothing a woman should have in her wardrobe?  After Coco Chanel debuted the first little black dress in an issue of Vogue, it began to be seen as a piece of clothing that was accessible for every woman in every social class.  From Audrey Hepburn’s LBD in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to Kate Middleton’s famous dress that caught Prince William’s eye, the little black dress has become a necessity for every girl’s closet.       

So this begs the question… Why do I not own one?  Yes, I own black dresses I can casually wear, but not one that can be worn to a fancy event, or for that matter, just a nice dinner.  So I’m taking my own advice on this blog post, and buying myself a little black dress before I enter the real world.  Having that perfect LBD is like having a safety net you can fall back on when all else fails.  It can be worn for any occasion, dressed up, dressed down, and made your own.  With the addition of the smallest accessories like a headband or necklace, the little black dress transforms into something you can feel great in the whole night!  I have found three that I particularly like, some a little more modern than others, but each classy in its own unique way.  So check out my steal, spend, and splurge choices for the classic, and definitely essential, Little Black Dress. 

This dress from Topshop for only $44.00 is definitely a steal for any girl coming straight out of college.  It's conservative in the front, but the open back adds an element of playfulness.

For more elegance, pick this dress from Modcloth.  It can be dressed up with a nice pair of heels, or dressed down with a fun cardigan and a pair of flats.

If you're going for the a timeless look this J. Crew Anita Dress is definitely worth the splurge.  Add a pearl necklace and black sunglasses and you'll feel just like Audrey!