The history the little black dress

Julie Moore, Contributor

Every woman looks great wearing it, and every woman has her own. It is the default date ensemble when it is one of those "I have nothing to wear" days. In fact, it is so popular, so necessary, and so much an institution in women's fashion that we had to ask: "Where did the 'little black dress' come from?"

To properly understand the fashion environment necessary to produce such a simplistically fabulous necessity for any wardrobe, we must visit the 1920s. As women shed their long, layered dresses, cut their hair and enjoyed the fast-paced party life, society slowly became more accepting of women baring slightly more of their shoulders, backs, and legs. The coveted silhouette of the era was generally very slender and youthful.

It was during the '20s that the legendary fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel first stitched her name into the history of women's clothing design. In fact, Chanel's designs are often considered to be the epitome of the '20s style because her work was so fresh, modern, and updated.

Chanel encouraged and inspired the style we typically envision when we think of flappers. She was fond of working with neutral colours and soft easy-to-wear jersey fabrics that were simple in shape and cut. Chanel was able to infuse comfort and sophistication into fashion, and this combination was considered revolutionary. It was during her early work that Chanel designed and introduced the first little black dress to the world.

New trend

First introduced in 1926, black was previously considered to be a colour reserved for funerals and periods of mourning. Truly simple and sexy, Chanel's design was a sleeveless sheath cut just above the knee. She could have never predicted the immediate and lasting love women would have for her simple, chic black dress.

As Chanel was quoted, "Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury." Whether a woman's little black dress cost $50 or $2,000 her intention is the same: to look effortlessly classic and appropriately sexy in just seconds. While most of us cannot afford to buy Chanel's breathtakingly beautiful pieces, we can certainly wear our trusty black dresses with the modern, sophisticated attitude she possessed.

Source: http://www.fashion-schools.org/littleblackdressarticle.htm

Latoya Grindley, Gleaner Writer

Timeless and 'seasonless' are best used to describe black in the world of fashion. So fashion experts have emphasised that every woman should own at least one (little) black dress, making it a staple when establishing her wardrobe.

Owning a black dress does not speak to plain and simple but to how fashion has evolved. You see, the little black dress has diversified and evolved in styles, lengths and designs.

The colour reflects sophistication, elegance and class, and is perfect for numerous occasions; it is especially ideal for those events at which the wearer would rather play it safe.

To show off just how versatile and fashionable black dresses are, Flair visited Shade by Kerry Kay's, to select a few pieces of trendy black dresses, and accessories, appropriate for various engagements.

Model: Jessica Bryan

Shade by Kerry Kay's is located at Pulse Complex, Shop #34, 38A Trafalgar Road. The store retails clothing in black, white and tints in-between for both men and women in sizes from 0 to 3X.

Accessories: Shades by Kerry Kay's.

Telephone: 908-3564

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com