Mays modecollege

Great chance you'll pull it out of the closet these days. Trendy heels, statement earrings, or a long necklace and you're all set. Extremely Christmas-proof. But if Coco Chanel hadn't existed, we might still be walking around in a corset. Therefore, an ode to the LBD (or ‘petite robe noire’, as the French say) in 7 must-know facts.

1. Conceived by Coco

It had to be a dress that was elegant but not so sexist with attention on the waist and breasts and accessible to everyone (rich and poor). Simple, not too much fabric so not too expensive.

2. This is what Vogue said

American Vogue called it the T-Ford of fashion. It was also intended for people with a smaller budget and was only available in black.

3. Emancipation dress

Women developed and literally gained a voice in the 1920s. Many countries granted women the right to vote (we in 1919, in France, believe it or not, only in 1944, can you imagine?) and this way of dressing aligned with the free and strong woman. The armor called the corset was literally cast off and this dress made it possible to still be feminine, but able to move. And work.

4. An LBD stop

During World War II, women were not so focused on fashion and after WWII, it was Christian Dior who celebrated the traditional woman with his New Look. The world needed stability, to embrace the basics. The family, in short. Therefore, we saw a feminine fashion image with attention to the waist, wide skirts, and fitted jackets and sweaters. The LBD was nowhere to be found.

5. Thanks to Audrey

For the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s (which I recently watched out of love for fashion and turned off after five minutes because man, what a bad movie that is), Hubert de Givenchy dressed Audrey Hepburn. It had to be elegant and fresh. And thus it happened that the LBD made its unparalleled return.

6. Famous wearers

Gabrielle Chanel, Édith Piaf, and Audrey Hepburn, but a fervent LBD wearer is Catherine Deneuve. Iconic was Kate Moss of course next to Johnny Depp in her LBD, and I won't soon forget Victoria Beckham. Or Heidi Klum. And Beyoncé. The LBD, in short, belongs to all of us.

7. How do you wear it?

If possible, opt for bare legs. And the two-strap shoe looks absolutely best with it (so a strap over the instep and a strap around the ankle); this way you see the toe and it visually breaks the foot a bit. Otherwise, it's a bit boring. A simple dress, then very long a piece of leg and then a pump. Of course, a high boot or a short boot can also go underneath and that pump is certainly not wrong, but it's not very adventurous at all.

Rock your dress with a statement bracelet, necklace, or earring. Not all at once please.