Polly Rogers breaks down the significance and versatility of the iconic LBD, from its inception to its modern day presence as a mainstay of minimalist fashion.

By Polly Rogers | Mar 5 2025

Be it for classy cocktails, a work gathering or any event, something every girl needs is her little black dress (LBD). You'll find one in almost every wardrobe - versatile and timeless, an LBD can suit and be styled for almost any function you could hope to attend, and is adaptable enough that the perfect look can be achieved effortlessly, even with the most last-minute invite.

Black is a striking colour and often used as a statement. As western culture moved away from an era of modesty and into the early 20th century, black began to shift from a colour of mourning to a colour of power and seduction. In the 1920s, women’s fashion was revolutionised - dresses were shorter, and the new drop-waisted style enabled women to move and dance in a non-restrictive and natural way. In 1926, Vogue magazine published an illustrated cover featuring an elegant woman modelling a minimal and glamourous LBD. With only a few accessories, the concept was aimed at creating a black backdrop to showcase the model’s beauty.

Unlike the fuss and frills of the past, simplicity drew people to this new style - the reaction and influence of this cover proved that less is more. Coco Chanel, the designer of this original dress concept, soared to popularity following the swift shift of fashion throughout the century. An exhibition in the Metropolitan Museum of Art shows the progression of Coco Chanel LBDs since the 1920s.

Various famous LBDs can be seen over the years, such as the iconic Breakfast at Tiffany's, where Audrey Hepburn stuns in a long black gown with matching gloves. Dripping with diamonds, the character she portrayed, Holly Golightly, was the idol of all in the 1960s. This socialite was picture perfect and oozed elegance. A gown donned in defiance by the late Princess of Wales, Diana Spencer, which subsequently became known as her legendary ‘revenge dress,’ goes down in fashion history, still under discussion and appearing in magazines and vision boards to this day.

While some of the most famous examples appeared in the last century, little black dresses are still fashionable and can elevate your wardrobe in 2025. For any event you could plan to attend, one dress (with the right styling) can suit every occasion. One dress can help you save money, while helping to combat overconsumption by not having a new dress for every event. The same black dress can be reworn over and over again and still feel fresh. That retailers and designers alike are to this day including pieces in their collections as an ode to the original little black dresses, and creating modern incarnations underscores how it is a perfect example of timeless fashion, proving that some pieces have the power to transcend yet define eras. Simplistic, yet endlessly chic, the Little Black Dress is a piece of fashion history and legend.