The world of fashion never ceases to amaze us with a variety of unexpected styles, models, styles, textures, but short black dresses have been out of competition for 90 years. This is a kind of knee-length evening or cocktail dress that can be worn "for a feast and for the world."

Who invented the little black dress

Back in 1926, Coco Chanel, who was in mourning for her lover, came up with a little black dress. Although before that black outfits were worn and were mostly like funeral ones, Coco broke all the public perception of fashion in the 20s. The ladies liked this innovation so much that the classic black knee-length dress became very popular in high society. Yes, Coco Chanel created an outfit that slightly covered her knees, she did not like this supposedly ugliest part of the body.

The design of the Chanel outfit did not shine with excesses - corsets, pompous frills, feathers or fringes, buttons and sequins. It was a simple cut, an oval neckline, long sleeves, and a tight skirt just below the knees. A woman of any income could have such a modest outfit in her wardrobe. The little black dress could turn into a business or evening dress, depending on what accessories were used. Coco Chanel's invention caught on and became an indicator of good taste.

This was facilitated by the birth of cinematography. In black and white frames, colored outfits lost contrast, so the heroines were dressed up in black dresses, emphasizing the image of the femme fatale. All the other ladies certainly wanted to imitate the cinematic image, to look like vamp women. During the war, it also helped out women who did not have the opportunity to buy something more expensive, but wanted to look stylish.

Year after year, the black dress fashion reached the sixties, when in 1961 the film "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was released with the inimitable Audrey Hepburn, dressed in a magnificent form-fitting dress with a long tight skirt, slightly open back and shoulders. The elegant model, invented by Hubert Givenchy, became the standard of evening dress, a cult thing about which songs were composed. Probably, even now there is not a single celebrity who at least once in her life would not wear it.

Styles

This outfit is always in fashion, fashion designers do not get tired of coming up with a variety of its styles. Styles are very diverse: short, long, with various collars, open back, with shoulder straps, without them, surrounded by lace or frills. It is relevant at all times, which is what many fashion designers use, striking and shocking the audience with their novelties.

Basic styles:

1. Case. A dress with a straight silhouette, which perfectly fits the female figure, is suitable for tall, well-built women. Fabrics: satin, stretch, neoprene, wool, jersey.
2. The basic version is cut-off at the waist line, with a slightly flared semi-sun skirt that falls in soft folds. Laconic, as close to the classic version as possible with long sleeves, a shallow neckline in a semicircle.
3. Shift. Sleeveless loose-fitting dress with a stand-up collar, reminiscent of a Japanese kimono. Fabrics are used for sewing: silk, chiffon, linen, cotton, knitwear, wool. The model is not demanding on the figure, does not hinder movement.
4. Tunic. A loose "flying" dress that will hide all figure flaws thanks to an elastic band or a belt below the waist. Differs in a simple cut, reminiscent of a peasant girl's shirt. A very versatile model that can be combined with trousers, sports shoes, and evening heels. Chiffon, silk, chintz, viscose, knitted fabrics are preferred.
5. Baby Dollars A mixture of a child's dress and a feminine evening dress, which features a high waistline, a fluffy skirt made of light fabrics. Outwardly, it resembles a negligee, it can be decorated with lace inserts, frills. This option should suit exceptionally slender, long-legged young girls.
6. Polo. A dress with a collar and sleeves that can be of different lengths and shapes, just like a skirt. Suitable for women of any age: short, tall, slim and not so. It is very fashionable to put on a belt on top and wear, combining with trousers or leggings.
7. Bell. Romantic minimalist dress with an A-line skirt and long sleeves. At the sight of this model, the image of a cartoon princess emerges - the beloved of the Troubadour. This model is suitable even for overweight ladies, softening the silhouette and hiding the flaws in the waist.

What to wear with

Gabrielle Chanel introduced the most versatile outfit into fashion, so the question of what to wear with a black dress disappears by itself. It is completely self-sufficient, but a woman can never do without jewelry. What you can't wear with a little black dress, be it a necklace, a necklace, a brooch, a scarf, a belt, a watch, a precious metal bracelet, any new detail will make it completely different. When creating the desired image, an important place is given to a bag and shoes, and bold eccentric ladies will not hesitate to supplement it with gloves, a hat, an umbrella.

Basic images that you can adjust for yourself:

1. Business lady. It is best to opt for a case. This is an office version of the outfit that can be easily transformed from a business to an evening one. For everyday work, put on an elegant strict tweed jacket, and in order to be irresistible in the evening at a corporate party, complement the dress with a string of pearls, take a clutch.
2. Gray days. This is where fantasies can be roamed. Pay attention to the tunic dress, bell, basic version, polo, shift. In combination with a leather or denim jacket, sneakers, boots, patent belt, semi-sports bag, you can create a stylish frivolous look that will decorate your monotonous everyday life. You can also wear a black dress with black tights, fishnet stockings, leggings, capri pants, and even pants.
3. Evening option. It is advisable to choose a cocktail black dress with a tight-fitting straight silhouette with a deep neckline or an open back. You can add sparkle to the image with the help of silver jewelry with stones, necklaces, earrings, massive bracelets and rings. However, you should not put everything on yourself at once, no more than two jewelry at the same time, the main thing is restraint and aristocracy.
4. "Universal Soldier". Do you want to be ready at any time to go to a party even on a weekday and shock the audience? Then the baby-dollar model is a winning option, especially when paired with chunky suede or patent black boots. It will make you mysterious and attractive. You can wear pumps, which will accentuate the beautiful graceful legs. It will be an everyday option or an evening one, it depends on the hairstyle and the cost of jewelry.

Makeup

Black attire is very demanding on makeup. It is worth making a wrong make-up, as you can immediately become a dull person in a boring mourning outfit. Makeup in this case should be bright, catchy, for example:

1. Lips. Take a closer look at the stars in black, their lips are deep scarlet, and their makeup is done by professional make-up artists. However, if the makeup focuses on red lips, then the eyes should not be made up flashy.
2. Eyes. If you don't like drawing attention to your lips, emphasize your eyes with arrows or do a smokey eye. Mascara should only be black with the effect of false eyelashes.
3. Beige shades. They are also quite acceptable in makeup for a black business-style dress. Bronze blush, gloss or matte lipstick in light brown shades and always black mascara.

How to decorate

The image cannot be complete if there are no jewelry and accessories. Everything here is individual, a black dress should be decorated depending on its type and where the lady is going in it. Traditionally, the black outfit in the 60s was decorated with a pearl necklace, following the example of Jacqueline Kennedy. The black color perfectly sets off the shining mother-of-pearl. A-line dress is successfully combined with cuffs and long necklaces, but the case gives freedom of action - any jewelry can go with it.

Today, fashion has become freer and a mixture of styles has overtaken the little black dress. Accessories are designed to combine different styles in one look, and jewelry is designed to create a mood befitting the occasion. Finding the right parts is both easy and difficult at the same time. Easy - because any piece of jewelry looks sophisticated against a black background. Difficult - because there is a risk of overdoing it with accessories, and not all age groups may be suitable for such an outfit. Teenage girls in black outfits will look ridiculous unless they are in school uniforms.

A few tips for choosing accessories and jewelry:

1. You can not wear tight tights. It is appropriate to wear thin stockings or tights, possibly with a mesh or with a pattern.
2. Shoes must be with a closed toe - pumps or boots, boots, sneakers.
3. Choose bags in the form of an envelope or a small clutch. The casual style allows for small backpacks or semi-sports bags.
4. The main decoration is brevity.
5. Jewelry in a minimum amount, preferably natural or artificial pearls.

1. Handbag. Madame Chanel had impeccable taste, was a trendsetter not only in clothes, but also in haberdashery and perfume. Think of the small quilted black handbag on a chain. It goes well with a laconic outfit.
2. Shoes. Coco Chanel added her opinion here too. There should be no color restrictions in the color of the shoes. Shoes can be two-colored, contrasting, provocative.
3. Hats. Not every woman now dares to wear a hat in addition to a dress, although it is completely in vain, a hat makes a woman elegant and attractive. It shouldn't be pompous big “pancakes” with feathers, which are out of fashion for a long time. A small neat hat is quite capable of completing the look.
4. Glasses. Think back to the legendary Breakfast at Tiffany's. What gorgeous glasses Audrey Hepburn sported. Why not repeat this experiment?
5. Perfume. "A woman who does not use perfume has no future," said Madame Chanel, and she was absolutely right .

??

Decorations

Feel the delight of choosing jewelry and jewelry for your black dress. They will help smooth out the severity of a black outfit. By combining all kinds of necklaces, necklaces, beads, bracelets, earrings, watches, scarves, belts, you can achieve the novelty of your image. Traditional materials for jewelry are silver, pearls, moonstone. Monochrome jewelry, bracelets with large stones or beads look spectacular. If you want to look brighter, then choose turquoise, enamel, long earrings with emeralds.

During the day, you should confine yourself to elegant inexpensive jewelry - chains, delicate graceful earrings and bracelets made of light colored material. Natural matte stones, corals are allowed. When doing this, discard other decorations to avoid looking like a Christmas tree. A shocking bold version of the combination - plastic, wood, leather jewelry. If the dress is made of textured fabric or unusual cut, decorated with drawings, embroidery, then thin chains and pendants should be preferred.

In the evening, a girl's best friend is diamonds. But if such luxury is not available, then you can decorate the outfit with a stylish shiny belt or silk belt with an interesting shiny buckle. In everything, the main thing is measure. The abundance of jewelry will not at all give you elegance and aristocracy, but moderation will emphasize good taste. It is completely unnecessary to wear rings with stones on each finger or a dozen bracelets with a black dress, although you want to show off your wealth. Choose one thing.

Video