The 10 Most Iconic Little Black Dresses Of All Time
If you’ve noticed that the little black dress has been taking over your social feed recently, it’s important to know that the LBD has a lengthy history. Most notably, some of the biggest names in film and fashion have donned a little black dress at some point in their career, making them the iconic wardrobe staple they are today.
Movie stars, royalty, fashion icons, and more have worn a wide range of little black dresses from major designers. Coco Chanel is considered the original designer of the LBD back in 1926 when she designed a little black dress that would make for the perfect cocktail hour. Black dresses had been considered standard formal and semi-formal wear for decades, so this shorter rendition was a welcome addition to late afternoon and semi-casual evening events.
Ready to see the most iconic LBDs of all time? Let’s take a look at these 10 gorgeous dresses and the history behind them.
Princess Diana
Nicknamed the Revenge Dress, Princess Diana’s famous LBD was worn to a Vanity Fair party after her husband, the Prince of Wales, admitted to adultery on national television. The dress features an off-the-shoulder bodice with a sweetheart neckline and was designed by Christina Stambolian. She accessorized this look with black sheer tights and a gorgeous choker necklace.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Catherine Zeta-Jones, best known for her roles in Chicago, The Mask of Zorro, and Wednesday, has worn many LBDs on screen and on the red carpet. Most memorable is her show costume from Chicago, with velvet fabric and elegant draping that swished as she danced. This jazz-inspired ensemble, complete with jazz shoes, has been recreated on stages across the country since the movie was released in 2002.
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn had several iconic little black dresses in her collection, but the elegant little number she wore during the opening scene of the 1961 romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s is arguably the most famous of them all. The dress was designed by Hubert de Givenchy, and featured a high neckline and satiny finish. More recently, a copy of the dress was sold for $461,000 at auction. The original dress, and its shorter version, lives in the Givenchy archives.
Jennifer Anniston
A young Jennifer Anniston wore this ‘90s LBD to a red carpet party, starting a trend that has captured the attention of women across the nation for decades. She styled the spaghetti strap mini with heels and minimalist earrings that emphasized the simple neckline of the dress. If you have an LBD in your closet, you can thank this young actress for its modern popularity!
Cindy Crawford
Cindy Crawford wore this iconic Hervé Léger black bandage mini dress to a Vogue anniversary party in 1998. Crawford was one of the models who wore the original bandage dresses on the runway in the late 1980s. In line with ‘90s fashion, she paired her tight mini dress with long feathered gloves and a voluminous blowout.
Jane Birkin
The namesake and inspiration for the famous Birkin bag also found her way to the little black dress. Jane Birkin demonstrates the elegance of simplicity in this ¾ sleeve black mini dress. She styled her LBD with a delicate necklace and bare feet, showing us the subtle beauty of the style icon.
Brigitte Bardot
The French actress stunned in this square-neck LBD on the set of the 1959 film Come Dance With Me! Brigitte Bardot’s side-swept waves are highlighted by the simplicity of the bare neckline, and the shape of the dress accentuates her curves beautifully. This LBD mastered the careful balance between classy and flirty!
Winona Ryder
In several appearances with Johnny Depp during the premiere of Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder wore a simple black mini wrap dress with minimal accessories and a bold red lip. Named the “Female Star of Tomorrow” by theaters impressed with her success, Ryder wowed the crowds with a plunging neckline. The LBD, in her case, also matches the roles she has played throughout most of her film career.
Sophia Loren
One of the last surviving stars from the classic Hollywood era, Sophia Loren has donned quite a few LBDs in her lifetime. This iconic dress features a flattering square neckline and form-fitting shape, which she paired with fishnet tights and her signature smokey eye look. The epitome of classic cinema, Loren’s look embodied the elegance and subtle sexiness of her time.
Madonna
This material girl is well known for her music and her fashion, and the LBD is no exception to her extensive wardrobe of fantastic pieces. She wore this flirty ruffled mini dress in Beverly Hills alongside Antonio Banderas! Paired with a classic heel and a dark red lip, Madonna looks simply stunning!
Closing Thoughts
Feeling inspired? We hope so! Pull out that little black dress in the back of your closet and wear it confidently, like so many iconic women before you!
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