The Little Black Dress

HOW LITTLE IS TOO LITTLE?

There are a few important observations to make when looking out for the perfect Little Black Dress, and paying attention to the length of the skirt is only the first of many. Since Little Black Dresses come in so many versatile colors and sizes, choosing the one that’s best for you will include a careful look at how much leg you’re comfortable revealing. For younger women in their late teens and early twenties, high miniskirts are acceptable and show off youthful, toned legs – but as you get older and start in your professional life, a more appropriate length will see your Little Black Dress’ hem falling nearer to the knee. For more mature women who need a Little Black Dresses to wear to professional or formal occasions, a little black dress can cut across just above or below the knee. This is the lower limit of a hem for a Little Black Dress, however, as much farther down and you’ll be wearing a full gown!

COLORS AND DESIGNS

Just because a Little Black Dress has that title doesn’t mean it can’t include colors, patterns or highlights that bring out the detail of the piece. You can see examples of some tremendously interesting Little Black Dresses from designers like Manderlay, Scala and Tony Bowls by checking through the listings in our catalogue, below, and you’ll see that many of these designers use color to make their Little Black Dresses even more glamorous. Given this, it’s particularly important to pay attention to the way that your Little Black Dress uses (or doesn’t use) color, since one of the most important things you can do when accessorizing is making sure you pick shades that help you pop. If your dress has a number of color tones on it, then always be careful about matching those colors to your eyes, shoes and makeup.

OCCASIONS TO WEAR YOUR LBD

Almost any occasion can be appropriate for a Little Black Dress, with the exception of those events judged too formal for showing off your legs. Otherwise, wear your dress to club nights, parents’ conferences and cocktail parties, business dinners, holiday soirees, or out on the town. As long as you take care to put together the rest of your appearance, you’ll find that planning on wearing Little Black Dresses to these and other occasions will help you cut down on your preparation and decision-making time when it comes to putting together your outfits.

HOW TO WEAR YOUR HAIR

Hairstyles to pair with Little Black Dresses are almost as numerous as the designs of the frocks themselves, but making sure that you add the right hair look to the perfect dress can be tricky. If you’re not comfortable throwing yourself at the mercy of a talented hairdresser – to whom you should always bring a photograph of yourself in the dress, even if it’s just a quick snapshot on your cell phone – then you can make a few suggestions based on the types of dress you choose to wear. If your dress is on the formal side, then wearing a sleek updo that holds your hair carefully in place can be a wonderful way to make sure your style doesn’t change without your knowledge over the course of an evening. However, if you’re on the younger side or are wearing an exceedingly trendy or modern look, for example the Relaxed Party Dress with Crystal Studded Neckline by Scala, or the Contrast Pink & Black Party Dress with Rosette by Tony Bowls Shorts, then you can look into wearing long hair down and loose, either straightened or – as is more in fashion today – in curls.

Ultimately, the kind of Little Black Dresses that fill your closet should be chosen on a basis of what looks best on you, and what makes you feel most confident about your own appearance. This is a piece of your wardrobe which can be adjusted to fit the times, if purchased with a desire for timelessness in mind, but can also be as up to the minute as the latest Parisian catwalk show. Almost every designer has some version of a Little Black Dress in their collection, so it’s simply a matter of taking your time and looking until you find the Little Black Dress that’s right for you!