Fear and Clothing

I usually covet fashion from Net-a-Porter. I can’t afford it, but I like looking at it and sometimes you can find items that may be sold out at your nearest department store. If you’re in a bit of a bind and are unable to buy items on Net-a-Porter, then you can wait a little while and buy from its sister site, The Outnet.

Briefly,the LBD or Little Black Dress, is a necessary wardrobe staple. In the past, the LBD was a necessity as it hid many sins, think cocktail/alcohol stains. Okay, maybe the LBD wasn’t great for powdery deodorants of then, but it works wonders for the evening and today, with better deodorant formulations, it’s a clear winner. Also, the Little Black Dress can be, and often is (depending on designer) an investment piece that can last many seasons. This week, I came across one of the most beautiful sleeveless cocktail dresses sitting in the window at Salvatore Ferragamo.

As an investment piece, the LBD will travel far. But do beware of craftmanship. Many contemporary items of clothing created by outsourced staff don’t feature the seam work that say, a vintage Bill Blass dress has. I have friends that do complain about the quality they find. Usually, the better the construction, the higher the price. But for a LBD, the price can be justified. If the style is timeless, then the LBD will be worn more than once during one’s lifetime.

Things to Know/LBD Trivia:

• The LBD was made popular in the 1920s by Coco Chanel. She published an image of the black dress in Vogue in 1926, which came to be known as the fashion equivalent of the Model-T Ford.
• The LBD is usually a popular choice during difficult fiscal times. E.g. the LBD’s popular during the Great Depression is a fact and related to its versatility. Not only can you wear it in the evening, but a LBD can double as a mourning dress in the same way a YSL Le Smoking suit can work at a funeral (and did for those attending YSL’s funeral).
• One of the most famous film LBD’s is Audrey Hepburns dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

(Dress: Alexander McQueen at Net-a-Porter.com)

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