Article on LBDs - YouLookFab Forum

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Article on LBDs

firefly

I've just read an article on Little Black Dresses, and various women's thoughts on theirs.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/hom.....-LBDs.html

I know that on this forum there are women who have fab "LBDs" that aren't actually black. However, I was wondering what people actually thought about the concept of a "Little Black Dress", a garment that you can wear to many different occasions knowing you look amazing.

I've said before that I'm definitely not a skirts and dresses girl - trousers all the way. Saying that, even I have a black dress that I've worn to parties, to a funeral and most recently to a job interview. Admittedly I bought it well before ylf, and it will be evaluated with a critical eye at some point.

So, does everyone have a LBD or equivalent? If you have one, how did you come across it and how often do you wear it? If you don't have one, do you feel it's a hole in your wardrobe or do you get by great without it? I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts!

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22 replies

Latest reply was from stringy

rute

Veteran

I always have to have a perfect LBD, one that fits perfectly and makes me slimmer
one I know I can count in case of an unexpected party, or a school reunion!
I don't have parties often, so there is no point in spending a lot in party dresses! I LBD is enough, I just can exchange accessories and change the look.
If you don't like dresses, you can have a nice cut trousers and a fab top, the point is that we all need a fab outfit that we love and use in an unexpected event

Anonymous

I would feel insecure without a LBD. I'm wearing an ink version today with purple boyfriend cardi, micro-fishnets, brown knee high boots and scarf with mostly blues, purple and brown. I have more than one black version, knit and woven, and different lengths. All get lots of wear dressed up or down with accessories. I got rid of a beautiful black silk LBD that was just too short and tight and am looking for a replacement. After seeing the lovely outfits with a grey LBD, I want one of those too. My favorites (ink and black woven versions) were found at Marshalls and are Calvin Klein. I'd pay full price for them as they are a great fit with enough length for my older woman body and simple enough to be accessorized endless ways.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

For years and years, I had a LBD that hung in my closet. I think that I wore it twice. I finally got rid of it. Recently, I bought a different colored dress for hubby's holiday work party. I am thinking that will be my LBD alternative. But honestly, my occasions to dress up are so few and far between that by the time another one rolls around I want something new to wear.

Kate

Veteran

What a great read, I'm amazed at how long these women have had their LBDs, and how well they've held up!

I'm still on the hunt for the perfect LBrownD, but I did recently pick up a LBlackD at Loft for $17. I haven't had an occasion to wear it yet, but I'm sure something will come up before long.

Maya

Veteran

I have 2 kinds of LBD:

-A very basic black sheath dress that I can layer under or over. I can make this dress either casual or dressy depending how I style it, but I don't have any glitzy party accessories or shiny evening bags or anything, so it would take a lot of effort to get it occasion ready--and even then it would only be suitable for certain occasions. There is a limit to how dressy I can go with it.

-So for that reason, I do have another LBD that I found on consignment earlier in the year. I had no occasions planned where it would have been appropriate, and I still don't. In fact I don't think I have worn it even once since buying it. But I know the day will come, so I may as well have something ready, It fit absolutely perfectly, was 100% silk, and only $40. What I like most about it is that it has a deep v, but manages not to show any cleavage at the same time. It's my dream neckline! Flattering but modest at the same time. Wish more of my wardrobe was like this dress which I never wear.

Scarlet

Veteran

The traditional concept of an LBD really doesn't work for me. First of all a black as a statement color on me is almost guaranteed to look appalling, and the concept of something simple I can change with accessories isn't really how I dress. I tend to buy clothing that has special details. I would say though that I always have a couple of dresses of varying levels of fancy and matching shoes that I can grab on a moments notice. The dresses are maybe more memorable, but I don't mind at all wearing the same thing in front of the same people.

MsMaven

Veteran

I prefer to have a beautiful black jacket--much more useful. I don't wear dresses much these days. Of the five LBD's shown at the end of the article, the only one that could be worn again and again is the last one--a simple sleeveless dress. I personally don't like to wear black to weddings, but if others do I have no problem with it.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I have one strapless black dress that I have yet to wear after owning it for 3 years. Almost wore it to a charity tasting event last month after getting the thumbs up from the forum here but didn't go to the event afterall. I've had to buy a black dress in a pinch for a funeral and since have tossed it. Guess I prefer having a dress wardrobe than one multi tasker. Which makes sense since I don't have a big accessory wardrobe with which to change one up anyway.

tarzy

Veteran

I own one LBD that's perfect in theory, but I've never worn it. I'm a pants girl, too. I just don't prefer dresses on me. I can't really articulate why.

For every formal/dressy/event I've gone to recently (including two funerals) I've worn black pants. It just feels more "me." Even Angie, whose advice I revere, hasn't been able to sway me on this one!

Kristine

Veteran

I have two little black dresses. The first I bought for a funeral several years ago. It has a fitted top, cap sleeves and flared skirt. While I like the shape of the dress itself, it's jersey which isn't the best fabric on my frame. I also think it's a little sweet.

I recently bought a black pinstripe sheath dress. The subtle pinstriping feels more interesting than basic black. I like the shape of the straight skirt and it's lined. It has more structure than the jersey dress and the shape looks more sophisticated, so this is now my go-to LBD.

Now that I think about it, the differences between the two dresses says something about where my style is headed!

Ljubica

I have a wool LBD which I wear as a day dress, but it is really a versatile garment. It changes dramatically depending on accessories, and the layers I put under and/or over it.
It is one of the oldest wearable pieces in my wardrobe - almost 5 years old.
And I have a beautiful emerald cocktail dress which I wore once, and which everybody saw and remembered, so I doubt I will be wearing it anytime soon.

Bookarella

Veteran

I am still searching for my elusive LBD. I would love to have something that I knew I could throw on in a pinch and feel fabulous. Of course, that is the goal for ALL of the clothes in my closet!

wilson

I did a big no-no and bought my LBD on sale when it was still 2 sizes too small for me and I couldn't zip it up at all. Athough it was on sale, it was still a little spendy (just shy of $200) so there was absolutely no reason for me to buy it other than I took a chance on the deep intuitive voice within telling me the cut was perfect for me. Within a year or so I lost weight and sure enough it has fit me perfectly since. It is a dark purple sheath with black lace over the top.

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Queen Mum

Veteran

I have a simple black sheath dress that I bought for my MIL's funeral and never thought I'd get much wear out of it. I have worn that thing to death. I can dress it up for cocktail wear or pop it over jeans and go shopping.

Karli

Great article! I purchased my LBD from Nordstroms on sale (under $200) by Diane von Furstenberg 4 years ago. It has never failed me, I wore it to so many different occasions that it completely justified the purchase... However I lost some weight recently (not that I didn't need it or wanted to:-)), and now it does not look as good. What's your advise ladies? Alter or abolish???

LeahJanes

I have 6 LBDs of different cuts and trims in my wardrobe, plus a whole host of other coloured ones. I love my frocks - they always look effortless and chic, and are totally me. I am very behind the concept of a timelessly chic dress that you can throw on and feel a million bucks in.

I have a little denim shift that gets the most wear of all of my Little *something* Dresses. That thing has been worn at least twice a week for almost 4 years now. I even think I could dress it up enough to wear to a wedding - even now that it's very broken in. It's the most versatile piece of clothing I own.

Karli, it sounds like an awesome dress, I'd get it altered.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Nice article.

I am a LBD gal through and through - and have far too many. But then, I don't own any pants! (my micro checks and harem pants aside)

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I bought my first ever LBD this summer thanks to YLF encouragement and love it! I also got a dark grey and olive ones and they are in constant rotation this fall.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I have several LBD's. A custom one by a Portland, OR designer, that has a vertical ruffle design on the top half and skirt. A slouchy one by DVF, a classic sheath by Pendleton, a simple t-shirt dress, two simple knit ones and most recently my a-line leather one and a long sleeved v neck by French Connection.

Karli

Thanks Leah! I agree. I'll keep you posted on the outcome:-)

Sally

Veteran

I had two LBD's altered last month and have been wearing them to work. I am going to wear them to the christmas parties etc too. I like simple clothing so the short simple shift dress works for me. I also have a black wrap dress which I wear over jeans or over tights, leggings etc....it's made of organic cotton and I love the feel of it. I like the concept of a capsule wardrobe and the LBD fits right in with this.

stringy

Veteran

I have two LBDs and enjoy wearing them so much that I have to stop myself from buying more, since I've got so many other gaps in my wardrobe. For me they fit in the area between smart casual and semi-formal - times when I want to look dressy, but not too dressy.