The timeless allure of the little black dress: fashion’s eternal icon

In the fashion world - full of unique expressions and alternative styles - it appears that an item popularised more than a century ago is one of the garments that is universally adorned.

The humble little black dress, which has become belovedly known as the LBD, is one of the very few items that belong in every woman’s closet.  

From A-list celebrities to people from all walks of life across the globe, it continues to be the outfit of choice for various occasions.

Hailey Bieber, an avid fan of the LBD, turned heads this past weekend when she stepped out in New York City rocking a low-cut black little dress with sheer detailing while on a date with her music mega star husband, Justin Bieber. 

The Rhode founder, who recently celebrated the grand launch of her beauty brand at Sephora, knew all eyes would be on her. With Bieber releasing his new album, "Swag 2", on Friday, she chose the perfect outfit to shine in the spotlight. 

And who can forget Princess Diana's "revenge dress", a black and sleek evening gown she wore to a 1994 dinner at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens? 

The garment has been interpreted as having been worn by Diana "in revenge" for the televised admission of adultery by her husband Charles, then Prince of Wales.

The appeal of the LBD

Renowned for its widespread appeal, the LBD is so timeless, versatile and universally flattering that even Hailey approves. 

As a lifelong fan of the LBD, I have various versions of it in my closet, but each of them holds a special place in my heart.

From a modest black workwear dress to a sparkly suede number, there has never been a time when it has let me down.

I love the LBD’s practicality and how I can dress it up or down, depending on the event, and that it is the perfect canvas to experiment with other fabrics as well as accessories, hairstyles and make-up.

It is also a vital part of my capsule wardrobe - a small, minimalist collection of versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits for different occasions. 

I love its simple elegance as an LBD’s clean lines and minimal design make it effortlessly chic.

As someone who loves playing dress up, I also enjoy how I can dress it up with some strappy heels or keep it cute with a pair of sneakers.

And with just a few wardrobe and accessory additions, I can wear my black dresses in any season and to any event, from the office, to a night out with loved ones, a formal occasion and family events.

An LBD is also slimming, sophisticated and it suits every skin tone, body shape and age.

And while I can't get enough of my LBDs, women for over 100 years have been loving their very own version, after the little black dress was popularised by iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel in 1920.

At the time, she referred to it as the “uniform” for women and the garment later cemented its Hollywood status when it was worn by legendary actress Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” 

As the fashion industry continues to evolve, one thing is certain - trends come and go, but you can always rely on an LBD.

As a cultural icon, a practical staple and a symbol of timeless femininity and empowerment that adapts to every generation’s style language, it will continue to be an essential part of modern fashion.