The little black dress – often referred to as the LBD – is the ultimate wardrobe staple. Every self-respecting woman should own at least one! A highly versatile piece of fashion, the LBD can be dressed up with a pair of heels and a jacket for the office or dressed down with sneakers and a denim jacket. LBDs also work for black-tie and super glam events – simply add plenty of sparkly accessories.
With a long and rich history, the birth of the modern LBD is often attributed to Coco Chanel. While black was fashionable in the Romantic era and favoured by poets, the Victorians would later come to associate black with death. It was Coco Chanel who brought the shade back in fashion with her first LBD design in the 1920s. The dress was featured on a Vogue cover in 1926, and black was reimagined as a symbol of high class and wealth. Yet, simultaneously, the LBD was celebrated for its accessibility to all social classes. It afforded all women a chic look that could be recreated easily.
Cited as possibly the most famous of all LBDs is the Givenchy dress worn by Audrey Hepburn in the classic 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The dress was an elegant, sleeveless, full-length gown, with a split running up one side to the thigh. Around the same time, counter-culture was pushing fashion to new boundaries, and elsewhere, the LBD’s hemline was getting shorter and shorter.
Since then, the LBD has come to take on numerous shapes and forms. From different cuts, tailoring, textiles and embellishments, the classic LBD has paved the way for new expressions of the timeless design. With that, we wanted to bring you some of the most contemporary and unconventional LBD designs around at the moment. For a chic yet quirky, or perhaps even rebellious look, shop these unique LBDs now and matching accessories for a complete outfit.
LOOK 1: Black and gold
Rock it in black and gold with this hot faux leather LBD from Oasis. The perfect statement party dress.
Shop the look:
Oasis faux leather zip through dress
Aerosoles Mid Afternoon sandals in gold
Charles & Keith women shoulder bag
New Look gold geometric shape earrings
LOOK 2: Vintage organza
Let your creative and rebellious side out in this vintage organza LBD.
Shop the look:
Reclaimed Vintage inspired wrap dress with volume sleeve in organza
Vince Camuto Acasha pumps – Use code AC290 for upto 15% off
Kurt Geiger Mini Shoreditch cross body
Aldo metallic drop earrings
LOOK 3: Understated
Go for a subtle, understated look with this pleated LBD. Brighten up with accessories.
Shop the look:
H&M pleated dress – Use code HH605 for upto 20% off
Jaggar artisan heel
Aranaz Luna woven wicker handbag
New Look multicoloured hoop earrings
LOOK 4: Uber-trendy
Go for an uber-trendy look with this structured, button-down dress with collar and belt.
Shop the look:
High Untold black stretch-twill shirt dress
Yull Shoes Brighton Tutti Fruitti brogues
Bonendis Kate handbag red suede
Biko Moonwalk 2-In-1 hoops silver
Biko Coastline bracelet silver
LOOK 5: Floral
This floral print LBD is right on-trend. Accessorise with pink and red hues for a super-hot look.
Shop the look:
Lady Vintage Jasmine dress
Tamara Harvey pink leather cross body bag
Carvela Kareless orange croc print pumps
Riva mixed beads long strand necklace
