Little Black Dress

[TOTTIE]

I am a sleeve lover too! I particularly like bishop sleeves or sleeves cut straight and wide, because they balance the tops of my arms and more importantly, stops my hands from looking... so huge.

However, on the LBD front, not luck. I look ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE in black. It certainly does not suit everyone. I am not sure what colour should replace this. Probably a Brown dress, though it goes in and out of fashion. If I could find a warm dove grey dress for evenings (not too blue-grey), that would be my ideal. Anyone seen one?

 

[LizzieMaine]

My LBD is vintage, with long sleeves, and a cute little belt -- but alas, I can no longer fit into it without looking like too much sausage in too little casing. It fit great when I got it twelve years ago, and I guess it must've shrunk a bit in storage.

That being said, though, I'm not a big fan of black -- maybe it's because everyone else wears it all the time these days, or maybe it's because I can't shake the idea that I look like I'm on my way to a funeral when I wear it, but it's just not a style that works for me. On the other hand, a good, deep blue -- now that's a look I like!

 

[Paisley]

The idea of the dress being black is that black is a neutral color that isn't subject to the whims of fashion, and goes with accessories of nearly any other color.

However, some people really do look like their black outfit is wearing them.

Men's traditional suiting colors might be a good solution here. Navy, charcoal, and chocolate brown are classic colors that are suitable for serious engagements and go with various colored accessories.

 

[Tough Cookie]

Another vote for sleeves here as well! I have reasonably defined arms, and don't think I need to hide them, but sleeves definitely can add polish. I suspect that it's much easier to make the abbreviated styles I see everywhere in Southern California (especially in the summer!), and so designers fall back on a lazy sleeveless design.

I know sleeves kick my rear end when I'm attempting to sew tops.

When ladies wear such minimalistic clothing styles for everyday functions, how can they *amp it up* for special occasions? By wearing more fabric? LOL.

Last year I fortunately stumbled upon my little black dress, whick looks something like the dress Kim_B's post. Funny thing is it doesn't look like much on the hangar, and the storeclerk had to insist I try it on. When it's actually *on* though--watch out!

 

[Rosie]

I have a couple of little black dresses. My favorite two are a black wrap dress which people seem to love on me and the other happens to be a sleeveless sheath dress which also always gets me compliments. I wear it poudly, fat arms, legs, body and all.

 

[mysterygal]

Looking at all my dresses, I have only two with sleeves....I just love the sleeveless look There's two things I look for when buying a dress, #1. It's gotta be classy and #2. form hugging (I absolutely can't stand anything that drapes on me!)

 

[BegintheBeguine]

That's what I like about rules: they can be broken!

 

[BettyValentine]

I guess if I have a Little Black Dress it is this one:

But I think it is just one of my dresses that happens to be black.

 

[mysterygal]

I guess if I have a Little Black Dress it is this one:

But I think it is just one of my dresses that happens to be black.

Now that is a great looking dress! I love it because it can go either casual or you can dress it up.

 

[CanadaDoll]

I have one similar to that, but I like the simplicity of yours, very classy.

I try to have at least one LBD for every occasion, I have a long one from the 50's, that was styled after the 30's for formal affairs, a knee length black lace with a huge cowl neck for cocktails or special milongas. one knit, knee length for funky occasions that looks neat with gloves, and goes for day wear too, and the shirt dress like Betty Valentine's that is highly suitable for day.

My opinion is that there can never be too many LBDs in ones closet, so long as you remember to balance the black with reds, greens and other colors, in short have a shamelessly large closet

 

[mysterygal]

That's what is great about the little black dress is that you can dress it up with color...and the great thing is anything goes since black goes with everything

 

[Miss Dottie]

I just looked in my closet and although I have a couple of black dresses, none of them seemed to fit the hefty role of the LBD.

Off to shop I go!

Actually, does anyne get Real Simple Magazine? They had a great article in the January issue about dresses and showed some lovely ones including a very simple but beautiful wrap dress by Boden--it's not vintage, but it is a classic dress that could easily be changed to fit the needs of the occasion.

I can't find it on the Website, but give me a moment and I'll get it!

 

[BegintheBeguine]

The weather inside is frightful

I can't wear sleeveless in winter: everywhere I go is so danged COLD! The thermometer at the club I go to reads 64!!!! Wonder what the thermostat is set to? My house is set to 64 and I wear 3 layers at home. I hate seeing chicks shivering while they're out on the town: ok, she is wearing a halter dress but she is not attractive shivering like someone who's been fished out of the river. Or wearing her (smarter) date's jacket. Brrr. My little black dress for winter is 50s crepe with a satin portrait collar and long sleeves.

 

[Paisley]

Ironically, I've had the same problem in summer. When I worked at engineering firms, it would be so cold that my feet would freeze if I wore pumps (in summer).

You might even consider a little black suit for winter.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

A suit

Good idea! I'll have to look at the Salvation Army on Tuesday!

 

[JazzBaby]

I've found that a lady needs at least two 'little black dresses'....they are so great for just about any kind of function that you may be attending. And if you get a classic style one, it will never go out of style, so no matter what, at least you know that you'll look great.

I agree. I have a black jersey one for more casual affairs and a black satin Roland Mouret style dress for more formal functions. Although my ideal situation would be to have a wardrobe filled with gorgeous 50s tea dresses but that's a little fftopic: and off-budget lol