Forget diamonds, a little black dress (LBD) is a girl's best friend. An enduring fashion and red carpet favorite, the LBD has reclaimed its title as our go-to wardrobe essential for the spring and season 2024 season. The perfect throw-on-and-go piece, it's low maintenance but big on impact. It's also feminine, flattering, and easy to dress up or down. It was Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel who first popularized the LBD in Vogue in the 1920s, cementing its status as the ultimate wardrobe staple. The spring 2024 runways were awash with little black dresses, most notably at Alexander McQueen, Schiaparelli, and Area. Kylie Jenner also made a serious case for the iconic piece during Paris Fashion Week, tapping into the archival trend with a 1992 Alaïa robe "dress."
"A little black dress is a wardrobe essential that never goes out of style," says Fashion Times market director Sarah Meikle whose Instagram is full of LBD wardrobe inspo. Meikle also offers this advice on how to champion the piece this season. "It's the perfect item to create an effortless, but pulled-together look. You can go for casual options like breezy cotton and linen sundresses, or rock them for dressy occasions and nights out in satin, lace, or even leather. An LBD also looks great with white accessories, which is a key trend for spring".
With spring dressing and summer soirees like the Kentucky Derby top of mind, we gathered a few fashion experts to show us how to style the quintessential piece and revisited some iconic LBD moments in fashion history.
How to Style an LBD from TikTok Fashion Influencers
@lovelyamusan0 How would you style this LBD? #outfitinspiration #foryou #fy #lbd #spring
♬ original sound - Lovely Amusan
@madisonesemarjian the perfect little black dress for spring!! Styling LBD very parisian with ballet flats, socks, and a little red cardigan #littleblackdresses #LBD #blackdressoutfit #classyoutfits #parisianoutfits @Madison
♬ Dream a Little Dream of Me - The Mamas & The Papas
@alysilverio my new fave lbd @revolve which outfit is ur fave? 🖤 #revolveinbloom #outfitideas #springoutfits #pinterestoutfit #howtostyle
♬ WHOLE LOTTA MONEY - BIA
These Stars All Understand the Power of an LBD
Kylie Jenner, 2024
During Paris Fashion Week, Jenner created her own idea of the LBD with an archival Alaïa look from 1992 that featured a robe and matching bra.
Rihanna, 2022
The style icon served a refreshed interpretation of the silhouette with a jacket-style croc black dress and a tie in the front. Rihanna famously reinvented the LBD (and maternity fashion) at the same event two years prior like only she can — a see-through dress with a matching lace bra-and-panties set for Dior's fall 2022 show.
Beyoncé, 2021
At the 2021 Grammys, the Cowboy Carter superstar wore a custom off-the-shoulder LBD by Schiaparelli, adorned with gloves and golden nails.
Jennifer Aniston, 2020
LBDs don't always have to be mini-length, just ask Jennifer Aniston.
Kim Kardashian, 2016
After asking Twitter followers for advice on her look, Kim Kardashian opted for a vintage black minidress by John Galliano at the 2016 MTV VMAs.
Princess Diana, 1994
One of the most noteworthy LBDs in history, Princess Diana marked her newly single era in a fitted, black, off-the-shoulder dress with an asymmetrical hemline and chiffon train designed by Christina Stambolian. A from Princess Diana's monumental revenge dress that she wore to a gala shortly after splitting with Prince Charles, to E
Elizabeth Hurley, 1994
Elizabeth Hurley in the iconic Versace safety pin dress (1994) pic.twitter.com/Zb7TAgVr5P
— 𝒱𝒶𝓁 (@sonosatura) May 10, 2020
Elizabeth Hurley's Versace dress fastened by gold safety pins at the red carpet premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral which famously became known as "That Dress."
Cindy Crawford, 1992
If you want to elevate the already iconic silhouette, just throw on a pair of fair-trimmed gloves like Cindy Crawford in this effortless ensemble.
Brigitte Bardot, 1969
While sheer dresses may be a current trend, Brigitte Bardot was decades ahead as she attended a "Night of the Cinema" event in a black maxi dress that bared her stomach. The captivating number also featured embellishments at the waist, chest, and sleeves.
Audrey Hepburn, 1961
An ensemble that many try to emulate to this day, Audrey Hepburn's black Givenchy dress in the legendary Breakfast at Tiffany's is nothing short of iconic.
Marilyn Monroe, 1950s
The housedress redefined: Marilyn Monroe wore a black cocktail dress with spaghetti straps and dangling earrings for a photo shoot on her staircase.
