Several. Although it might not seem like it from my posts, I actually have frequent low key dress events (basically holiday celebrations, i.e. dinner with guests). And because my wardrobe is, when you get down to it, catch as catch can, I end up with black rather than navy dresses that I would probably choose.

Yes, 4, modern and classic for each of Summer and Winter. They get consistent wear for dinners out, etc. I find black much easier to pair with evening accessories than a color. I had a brown cocktail dress for a while and it was a challenge; the only bag I could find was too flimsy and the only shoes I could find were too high.

Yes, I have four all old. Unfortunately, I have worn three of them in the past year for funerals. I have worn all of them to work, and out for dinner/events.

Dress #1, sleeveless, with crew neckline, 1.5" gored seaming all the way around and running the length of the dress, with a fitted bodice and then a flared "skirt" above the knee. It also has a bolero jacket with a high collar. This is my #1 dress.

Dress #2 is a fitted sheath dress, also sleeveless with a crew neckline and hem above the knee.

Dress #3 is a fitted merino wool sweater dress with a mock neck and about 8 black buttons running from my elbows to wrists along the back of my forearms.

Dress #4 is a jersey maxi length with v-neck, cap sleeves and side slit.

Like Echo, all of the dresses have been worn to work, out for dinner/events, and funerals with various accessories.

Yes, I think dresses in other colours could be just as hardworking, such as navy or ink blue. Other colours, maybe, depends on culture, for example red could be fun for an event, but not for a Chinese or Indian wedding as it could be insulting to the bride.

I have numerous black dresses in my wardrobe. When I am in doubt about what to wear, I often grab this dress, especially for work meetings and conference dinners and also worn to a funeral. It's a nice dress on its own, but also layers well under a coat or jacket and can be dressed up or down. The lace detail makes a statement without being overwhelming.

Nothing like that now ( too much for pale skin and low contrast in general ) . Some years ago ( 25 or so - lol ) I used to have one - for Christmas party and couple times for work.

Just one ever, actually, that I would call a “little” black dress- as I am with Jessikams and that evokes Audrey Hepburn for me. I bought it on sale in 2010 in time for my husband’s 50th birthday where we had planned a “Godfather” themed party and I wanted a sort of gangster Moll feel but that I could also wear to 1920s events and to other parties. I was 49. Still have it!- relegated to the dress-up cupboard about a year ago. I just read recently that fringing is coming back and although not exactly fringed it has that feel. Sorry can’t find a photo.
For funerals, I mostly wear a black and white dress I have. First friend of our own age in December- my husband’s high school friend. Cancer

My 'LBD' is not solid black, but a slip-type dress, with a double chiffon layer with a dark muted/moody burgundy floral. I have had it for 25 years and worn it gazillions of times for smart and casual. It is only now starting to show a teen bit of wear. I have always washed it in the washing machine, go figure! I have another black dress, also with a double chiffon layer with small white dots, not a slip-type but sleeveless. I have had it for maybe 15 years but only wore it for work and occasions. I am now going to use that one as a replacement for my trusty one that is looking a bit tired and I will keep her now only for very casual. I think any dark colour dress could be my 'LBD'. For me it is more about the fit.

I have one, a crepe dress with a swingy shape, short sleeves and a slit neck. The style doesn't hug my middle which is usually my problem spot. It comes in handy for in-between events when I want to look a little nicer but not too dressed up. I wouldn't wear it to a wedding for instance but I would to a shower or funeral. I always feel good in it.

I have a couple, in both black and navy (in the finds). I find them most useful for travel, and other situations where one has limited wardrobe options. Similarly, they can work really well for those events when it is hard to guess the exact level for formalism or you know it but don't have anything right and don't want to buy something new. Having said that, If it is some important rare event, like a wedding, I tend to find myself wanting to buy a new dress specifically tailored to that event.

No, and no!

I haven't had a black dress since 2015.

In 2013, I started SLOWLY switching out my black for navy, so the black dress and black lace hung around a bit.

Navy is my black! I have several navy dresses, and one I wear over a skirt because it's too short. The shirtdress is for funerals only.

I do have a few, but only seldom wearing them nowadays...
Angie did you mean the Rebeca Taylor shirt dress for funerals only...but why??? I am loving that dress....

I have a couple of black dresses but neither counts to me as an LBD. one purchased years ago to wear to a wedding or something and worn a couple of times over the years but never with great joy. The other is a bit architectural and I thought it would be versatile and a bit arty. Never worn. Haven’t figured out what my equivalent would be.

Lyn67, no, not that one. The navy fit and flared shirtdress from 1901 is for funerals only. I have worn it to three extremely important funerals - three parents - within three years. MIL, Dad, FIL. I cannot see past that, but am keeping the dress.

It's funny about generations and black for funerals. My son and his buddies sadly had to attend the funeral of a fraternity brother. They had no idea what to do and somehow got the idea that they should only wear black and no one had a black shirt. I had to explain.

I have plenty of black dresses. Only one of them fits the LBD profile in my mind. It was bought over 20 years ago, an investment for me at the time. It is a classic cut sheath dress, with some sparkle woven into the fabric, and has a matching coat. The combination has been my go-to for court, banquets, fancy anniversary parties... although I think I last wore it that way for my father's funeral 3+ years back, might be why I don't reach for it now. The dress alone, though, has seen plenty of wear... I have layered it over a shirt, blouse, or sweater, and with recent juxtaposition of styles, the sparkle doesn't seem out of place in everyday wear.

I also have a navy linen sheath, same cut, that really comes into its own when I travel (dresses up or down). And the same in oatmeal, less formal and less flattering a colour on me. Now that knee lengths are supposed to be coming back, I might pull them out more often.

The other black dresses come in every hem and sleeve length and fabric. One has lace sleeves; most are plain, in knits or wovens. As a choral singer, I need a repertoire of black to suit the temperature and formality of all kinds of venues.

Oooph, Angie. That is tough.

I still have the same dress and have not had to wear it to a funeral. So it goes out on dates. And always makes a splash, although it is subdued in colour. The drama of that skirt and the tie....and it is easy to accessorize....

Not to derail Carla, but I just have to say, Angie, I still have what I wore to my Mom's funeral; I can't part with it but haven't brought myself to wear it either. Amazing how clothes hold memories like that ...

Yes. I have a few variations of the LBD. I like black, it likes me, and even though "black" does have many variations, it doesn't look quite as jarring as one navy against another navy that isn't the same.

I stand by my LBDs.

I used to have an LBD. I believed in having one. The fashion magazines told me every woman should have one. Eventually I had on hand just a black skirt which I called a funeral skirt because I seldom wore it otherwise. And with a black top?=Dress. Now? I don't wear dresses in general. I do have a black BR loose summer dress, but haven't worn it for a while. It's a nice, easy dress that could dressed up or worn to a beach party. I guess that counts. Oh, it's the only dress I own now.

Now I'm looking for a tuxedo look for dressy occasions. For my Mom's funeral (she died at 93) I told my sisters I was wearing pants. Pause in phone call as they digested the change. They both wore pants to the cold, windy graveside service in March with snow on the ground. Mom wouldn't have approved, but she had outlived all of her generation. There was another funeral service a couple of years later where I wore a black pantsuit. Too painful.

It's been a long time since I needed even a dress for any reason. Getting older does bring a sort of liberation.

The world has changed dramatically in the last few years. I wonder how many of younger women even know what an LBD is.

I wear dresses pretty much ever day, work days and weekends. It does help that it’s summer in Australia right now. But I only have 1 black dress and pretty much never reach for it. At this stage of my style journey I’m craving colour and pattern. Maybe winter will temper these leanings somewhat, but you never know. Black does seem a bit passé right now - more sad than elegant to me.

It was Coco Chanel who popularised it, right? Then Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?
Those decades are a while ago now… I agree with MsMaven that maybe much younger women only know of the concept a bit distantly unless they’re really into fashion history?

At present I have not (I have not even the body for an LBD now ).
I have had the most perfect LBD in the nineties. It was navy, silk, boatneck, cap sleeves, straight but shapely. I have loved that dress so much and I have worn the heck out of it. It is still in my closet! It is slightly faded and with a small hole on the front but I will never be able to get rid of it!

I have several! (I also used to have the EF jumpsuit that Julie mentioned, before I wore it out, and she's right, it essentially functions as a LBD.)

Black dresses are a cornerstone of my wardrobe. It's rare for a week to pass without my wearing at least one and, in the summer, I'm in them more often than not. I suspect I wear them as often as some others wear jeans, and I have more of them than I do jeans.

The closest ones here to the quintessential, multi-purpose LBD are the EF tank dress and the sleeveless silk Elizabeth Suzann dress. I constantly dress both of them up and down and everything in-between.

They probably make up at least half the dresses in my closet and they come in all shapes and styles… except below the knee. I’ve been reorganizing my closet lately so you can expect a few photos this week.

Yes, I have had several (kept from my past decade or so) but...never wear them nowadays because 1. I don't have those events anymore and 2. I like now to be more creative for those rare dressy/formal occasions, too.

ETA. Ah actually bought one crochetted with spagetti straps--much more casual--which I like for the heavy texture to hide imperfections amoung the fluidly body-con fit(I sized up)...if that makes sense. Will only wear it with denim jackets or blazers-hope I can make it work not only for summer but maybe for holidays, too.

I would love to have one for summer. I love black in the summer.
But don't own any in either case.

Nope. I have a navy sheath but that's my funeral dress. I had a black lace A-line dress that I wore for many events like concerts, plays, etc. After I wore it for my mother's funeral service, I let it go. I could only associate the dress with grief.

A good friend works for a lawyer and wears her LBD from EF almost daily to meet with people to arrange funerals and attend them. It is sleeveless and very simple. It is easy to through on a topper and dress it up or down and find an assortment of footwear. I also have this dress and another just a bit longer originally from Talbots. I thrifted it and it washes in the machine like a dream. It was one of 6 black dresses I got that day for $1 each minus the senior discount. I also have a sleeved black wool EF dress for cold days. As you get older there are more funerals to attend. Covid put off 6 funerals and a wedding for me. I lot of church's can now stream live video so one can avoid travel and dangerous situations. I find my LBDs workhorses. Some get lots of casual weat in late summer when I am sick of bright color and prints. I also have two dark navy silk EF dresses and one long sleeved grey EF cotton knit. Now I am slowly switching to 2 piece, but I still like one and done.

I have one black dress which I would classify as an LBD for me. I rarely wear dresses and even more rarely wear black, and I tend towards pieces that aren't so plain. Ie, I don't really like a "blank canvas". But, I think there are a few occasions where it's very useful, and the one I have is very flattering on me so I keep it.

Great to see everyone's black...or navy...dresses! I love a black dress and I love black in summer as some have mentioned. I have only one at the moment, a cropped linen kaftan by 6397. But it's perfect on hot days.