How to Style the Classic Little Black Dress

No matter your style, the little black dress is an absolute classic. It all started in 1926 when the American Vogue published a Chanel design of a simple black sheath dress with narrow sleeves paired with a strand of white pearls. It wasn’t formally recognised as a garment that would become so ubiquitous, but Vogue proved correct in predicting it would become something of a uniform for fashionable women. They’re perfect for just about every event, whether it’s casual, elegant, or somewhere in between. And because little black dresses come in many shapes, styles, and embellishment, it can sometimes be difficult to know how to pick the right one, or how to style it properly. To help you out, here’s a guide to make selecting your ideal LBD and styling it easy!

Picking the Perfect LBD

Now, this is the tough part: there are just so many cute little black dresses to choose from! Do you want to keep your LBD in line with the original design from Chanel, a simple sheath, or do you want to do something a little different? It all depends on the look you’re going for. If you’re going to be a bit more daring, go for something exciting! Daring slits, bold cut-outs, and exciting embellishments are all options for you. Of course, always choose a style that is flattering to your body type for a look you’ll rock. Fit and flare dresses are always a must-have, especially in little black dress form! But have a little fun with it – you never know what you’ll love until you try it.

Glamming it up with Accessories

Since the beginning of the LBD’s history, it’s been paired with timeless accessories to dress it up or down. You can choose to stay understated and elegant with a single strand necklace or go bold and modern with eye-catching statement jewelry. You can have fun with accessories here because LBDs can be so simple and timeless! Play with color, shape, and size, pairing different metals or styles you usually wouldn’t. The LBD is your canvas, so make some beautiful art! However, if your LBD’s design is more complex, your accessories should be more subtle to allow the beautiful design of your dress to be the star of the show.

Topping it off with Outerwear

If you’re expecting a chilly night, nothing balances out the perfect LBD better than an exquisite piece of outerwear. Think about silhouette when you’re choosing the outerwear to pair with your dress. If your dress is a simple sheath, think big, fluffy faux fur or perhaps a stylish herringbone pattern. If your dress is more daring, consider a simple shawl or a coat that completely covers the dress, so you can have a big reveal once you remove it. Of course, there’s always the perfect peacoat – you can never go wrong with that. No matter your choice of outerwear, remember that your primary focus is balancing out the bulk of your dress: loud outerwear with simpler dresses, simple outerwear with louder dresses.

Choosing the Right Shoes

Because of the LBD’s traditionally simple design, you can have fun with your shoes too! If you’re wearing a colorful coat or accessories, match your shoes to them for a look that’s completely tied together. Go bold with a pair of red stilettos, or keep it simple with a pair of black pumps. If your dress is not-so-traditional, wear a pair of shoes that mirror the brazen attitude of your dress. Studs and spikes, straps and cutouts, and daring platforms are all options for you to choose from. Balance your look out with the perfect pair of shoes, and you’ll feel like you’re strutting down the runway with every step.

Little black dresses have lived in ubiquity for almost one hundred years. They are the timeless, versatile, and accessible garments Coco Chanel wanted them to be when she designed them in 1926. No matter the event you’re off to, the LBD is the ideal choice. You’ll look as elegant, bold, or daring as you want – this dress is the perfect mirror of your personality. This is what makes them the ultimate must-have for every wardrobe.

Casey Pontrelli