Little Black Dress - A woman can never have enough!

Sexy, Glamorous and Timeless – The biggest little thing in your wardrobe.

The Little Black Dress, that essential piece that hangs in every woman's wardrobe.

Nearly every woman owns a little black dress and it fits any occasion if only we could fit into it.

That simple but instantly recognizable black gown, designed by Hubert de Givenchy is, arguably, the most copied piece of clothing in film history. It's the one piece in a woman's wardrobe that can be pulled out in a flash and turn her from chilled to chic.

A LBD never dates, in all styles and cuts, on the catwalk, in the street and, most importantly, at all those parties and events you have nothing to wear for, the LBD is a wardrobe essential for any woman. From a party to a boardroom it always looks effortless and fabulous. When you've got an all-important date, be it with Mr Right or the banker, the LBD will never let you down, because you can dress it up or down for any occasion and it's the ultimate female weapon!

Think Audrey Hepburn's iconic LBD from Breakfast at Tiffany's, Marilyn Monroe's figure-hugging LBD in Some Like It Hot, the long LBD Princess Diana wore the night she danced with John Travolta at the White House dinner, and Liz Hurley's "less is more" Versace LBD with strategically-placed safety pins.

The LBD is so much more than a dress: it's a twentieth-century classic.

The little black dress fitted for women of all sizes, shapes and forms

Over the decades, the LBD never ran out of style. Instead, it runs with it.

Women are able to dress it up or down depending on occasion. It could be short or shiny, strapless or halter, worn with pearls or with a jacket; the looks created were truly endless. The LBD has managed to survive centuries of trends and fads, only to remain an essential rule of fashion. Even cartoon character such as Betty Boop owned a little black dress!

All the famous innovations in fashion and design cannot outshine the fame of the single Chanel Little Black Dress. Coco Chanel introduced it in a time between the wars, when the bright colours, prints and heavy embroideries dominated the fashion. The long-sleeved black dress, which was initially made for day in wool, and for evening in crepe, satin or velvet, shook up the world of fashion. Later appeared the other variations of a little black dress: short, sleeveless, in pleated black chiffon, in black lace...

The essence of LBD is the cut of the fabric, (high quality fabric is essential as the seams have to be invisible, and sophistication does not allow for flaws in the weave in the fabric used),not forgetting the longevity of the LBD...this number never dates, the fashion designers each season pretend to re-invent the style but we know it is the same simple, elegant cut described as the New Little Black Dress, and we devotees are not fooled! It is not the "New Black" that sashays down the catwalk, it is our own timeless piece simply gracing the body of the next supermodel, and the bonus is that you don't have to have the perfect body. The classic cut bestows sexy, smouldering Venus on every woman. Specifics in dimensions of the dress are intrinsic to the spell-binding effect; too tight and the slink factor is lost; too loose and the moo-moo takes hold. Too short and the balance slides pear-shaped, too long and the retro-chic is lost.

The LBD is always in style, no matter what the season or occasion is, you just can't go wrong, and the great thing about little black dresses, they are never alike. Women have designer Coco Chanel to thank for introducing this simple little black dress in the form of a chemise at a time when dresses were frilly. Coco Chanel taught women how to take something so simple and add to its elegance by accessorizing with the beauty of the little black dress is utterly timeless. Its contemporary appeal, however, grows and grows.

You can now exercise to the Little Black Dress workout or whittle down your waist with the Little Black Dress diet – which will be crucial if you want to squeeze into one of Chanel's severely corseted satin ribbon mini-dresses this winter.

The LBD has never been out of fashion. From simple shifts and dramatic tunics to flirty baby-dolls and vampy bustier dresses, it comes in every style imaginable and, unlike most other truly fashionable pieces of clothing, there is a variation to suit almost everyone.

How many times are we told that a piece of clothing is a "wardrobe essential"? The LBD is one of the few things that truly deserve the accolade; it certainly makes dressing for any kind of party a whole lot less stressful. But its power is greater than this. The simplest – and sometimes even cheapest – LBD will make you look classic, chic and elegant. And unlike all the gorgeously colourful, sparkly little party dresses out there, the LBD is for life, not just for Christmas.

Dos and don'ts

• Do add an amazing piece of jewellery. A huge brooch - ideally, works really well against the simple backdrop, as do chunky cuffs.

• Do experiment with incredible shapes. Black is the perfect base, so try more daring silhouettes than you would usually wear.

• Don't get too carried away with accessories. Just one significant piece is usually enough, or you risk over-gilding the lily.

• Do spend as much as you can on the perfect dress - you will still be wearing it years from now.

• Don't opt for the latest on-trend LBD. Seek out the right shape for your figure.

• Do look out for the best high street versions - sometimes cheap black fabric can look just that.

• Do keep shoes classic and elegant -this season's patent court shoes look especially slick and modern.

• For real impact, do wear all black with scarlet shoes - it will also add a seasonal touch.

The story behind the “little black dress”

The LBD is known to be popularized by Coco Chanel back in the 20s. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel created the little black dress between the pages of Vogue magazine. Actually, the LBD had been the practical choice when attending funerals. It was Chanel who made it famous by featuring her "Ford" design in 1926. From that moment on, the little black dress became synonymous with "elegance, seduction, and flattery." Going against the grain at the time, as black clothing was used only when mourning, its simplicity and lines made it suitably elegant for women of all social classes and ages.

Chanel's design was a sleeveless straight style, adorned with slanting designs and hitting at the calves when worn. It was at this moment that the little black dress had earned a new title: "a sort of uniform for all women of taste," courtesy of Vogue magazine. How right they were! Basic black was not only synonymous with mourning, but with sophistication and comfort. Due to efforts to save textiles for soldier's uniforms during World War II, civilian women faced the business world in Chanel's creation.

In the 50s, Dior and Givenchy gave the LBDs a facelift, and was often communicated as a uniform or a symbol of women to watch out for. The LBD's ease in pulling off altered designs and materials made it affordable and suitable for anyone.

During the mod phase in the 60s, the LBD's hem was shortened, slits were implemented and increase usage of sheer materials such as netting and tulle. The most iconic Little Black Dress of all time till now is possibly the black sheath dress Audrey Hepburn wore as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. The simple sleeveless black shift is the one that started a timeless trend of dresses that eventually enveloped a whole wardrobe of different styles and shapes, but in the end, are all little, and all black. Designed by Hubert de Givenchy, many women in the 60s aspired to achieve such languid elegance. The Chanel little black dress became a symbol of chic and sophisticated simplicity.

In December 2006, that very same dress Audrey Hepburn wore in the movie was sold at auction for over $800,000.

Most of her fashions had a staying power, and didn't change much from year to year - or even generation to generation.

Clearly, the reason that the little black dress is a classic piece in any woman's wardrobe is two-fold. On the one hand, the LBD is the ultimate in versatility. A woman can get pretty far with a fairly basic LBD. On the other hand, you can never have too many LBDs!

4 reasons for LBD to be so essential

1. Black is flattering for all sizes, shapes and skin tones. No matter who you are there is a LBD out there for you! Take the time to find one that makes you feel great and fits you properly.

2. You can wear black any time, during any season and to most events. The LBD is chic, classic and sexy all rolled into one. It's the perfect dress to be worn for a night out on the town or as a cover up at the beach.

3. You can wear this dress a dozen different ways. Jazz it up for evening with a beautiful beaded bolero or tone it down with flats and a wrist full of bangles. If you would like to wear it to work layer a cardigan sweater or blazer for a more refined look.

4. Last but not least: one of these dresses is never enough. Have a few versions on hand that can work with the rest of your wardrobe.

Here are some examples of LBD's that will work for various figure shapes that can be found at various stores and online

We all want that perfect little black dress. But do you know which one will fit you best? Here are some splurge and save options for the 4 most common body types:

An hourglass shaped woman has a body type that looks as it sounds. You have a voluptuous chest, well-defined waist and curvy (proportional) hips. The best little black dress is going to be an A-Line. The top of the dress should be v-neck, well-fitted and structured with darts. The skirt should have an A-line shape so that it flows over the hips. Your hemline should be just above the knee so that this dress can be used season after season.

If you have a pear-shaped body, you tend to have hips that are wider then your shoulders. For this type of body you will want a dress that accentuates your bust line, has a fitted top and a straight skirt. The skirt should fall straight off the hips, which will help even out the lower half of your body.

A straight body (a.k.a. a boyish figure) is the body that has little definition between your bust, waist and hip measurements. Your best bet is going to be a little black dress that is a baby doll, A-Line or a fitted sheath.

Apple shaped woman tend to carry their weight in the middle section and lack a defined waist. For this type of body you should go for Empire-waist styles with full or A-line Skirts.


Coco's Black Dress

One of Coco Chanel's main design strengths was her faultless creation of strong, simple shapes in clean, neutral colours. The little black dress was therefore very much in her signature style. With a clean and sexy silhouette Coco created a sleeveless tailored sheath dress cut just above the knee. Still one of the most popular styles of little black dress.

The Beauty of the Little Black Dress

Anyone with a little black dress will not need telling why they are so wonderful but a reminder is always good when you feel like you have nothing to wear. The benefits are so numerous they are probably best presented in a list. Little black dresses are brilliant because...

• They come in a variety of shapes and designs. Long, short, pencil skirt, flared skirt, long sleeved, halter neck, boob tube, spaghetti straps, the list is endless.

• Black is very slimming. It is flattering whether you are a size 6 or a size 20

• Whatever the occasion it never looks out of place (as long as the sleeves and length are appropriate)

• You can go from work to a funeral and to a cocktail party without changing

• You can dress it down with thick black tights, flat shoes, a cardigan or a blazer.

• You can dress it up with a flash of colour in your make-up, with extravagant jewellery, beautiful shoes or a super belt.

• You can wear the same dress for a week and look different every day with the wonder of accessories.

• You can have ten completely different black dresses in your wardrobe without feeling guilty.

• You can look great in a little black dress whether it cost £20 or £2,000.

• You know it will never go out of fashion so it is a long term investment (as long as you don't buy one with a puffball skirt).

• It can be elegant, chic, sexy, formal, relaxed or reserved,

Some Famous Little Black Dresses

Before Coco Chanel revolutionised the black dress it's most famous wearer had been Queen Victoria who had worn black dresses in mourning for 40 years. After Coco's little black dress became popular, however, it is no wonder the hall of little black dress fame increased. There have now been many famous versions.

• Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Audrey Hepburn's flared dress in Sabrina
• Liz Hurley's Versace safety-pin black dress (Four Weddings and a Funeral première)
• Morticia Adams and Lily Munster
• The boob-tube ladies in the Robert Palmer video
• Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta at the White House
• The women of Sex and the City in one of their latest ad campaigns

So what are you waiting for? Either start buying Little Black Dresses or dig out all of the ones you undoubtedly have in your wardrobe. Stop kidding yourself that you have nothing to wear and get back to black

Selected Coco Chanel Quotations

• A woman has the age she deserves.

• Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.

• "Where should one use perfume?" a young woman asked. "Wherever one wants to be kissed," I said.

• I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.