Little black dress: how this one garment became a huge phenomena

The little black dress - it came and stayed forever

Regarding fashion, some clothes come and go (or rather, they come, we buy them and then they're only fashionable for as long as our morning cup of coffee). 

But how did this masterpiece of every woman's wardrobe come about? Was it invented by someone just to save time between make-up and hair, or was it just another fairy tale from the fashion world, full of intrigue, coincidences and style revolutions?

First of all, we have to thank the man who created this fashion hurricane: Coco Chanel, the icon of the House of Chanel herself. In 1926, Coco presented the fashion world with a gift that was like a little black horse in a race. It was a tiny, simple, but incredibly elegant black dress published in Vogue magazine.

And you know what? It was described as "the one garment that will always be fashionable". It is worth mentioning that at that time, women were used to dressing up like Christmas trees with lots of decorations and details. So when this minimalist black dress came along, it was like saying to the world: "Less is more, and I'll still be better dressed than all of you".

Black - the color of mourning? Thank you, but no

Until the little black dress came along, black was not the color of choice for the fashion diva. In Victorian times, it was purely a color of mourning, and all the fashion rules strictly stated how long it had to be before the death of a relative before a woman could confidently wear colored clothes again. Coco Chanel turned this norm on its head when she decided that black was appropriate for mourning and ideal for those looking elegant without any exaggerated shine.

Of course, it would not be fair to praise Coco just for that. Black wasn't the "It" girl at all at the time - more like a permanent cemetery resident. It symbolized mourning, especially in the Victorian era when even the smallest details were supposed to indicate how long it had been since the burial of the deceased dog. But Coco, being the style rebel that she was, decided that black was no longer just for mourning. It became the colour of elegance for all time. Did she foresee her little black dress becoming like McDonald's in the fashion world - must-have versatile? Maybe not, but look where we are now - even the A-listers on the red carpet are shaking it up with their black ensembles as if it were the pinnacle of haute couture.

Thanks to Audrey Hepburn for a legendary moment, and let's not forget Edith Piaf - she contributed too

A little black dress can be likened to the perfect film - and every film has its star. In this case it was none other than Audrey Hepburn in the famous Breakfast at Tiffany's. Hepburn in a black Givenchy dress, pearl necklace and coffee in hand next to the Tiffany's window was a sight not to be forgotten. Not only did it reinforce the image of the little black dress as a timeless classic, but it also gave her a little Hollywood glamour.

Some may think that the little black dress is Coco's creation alone, but another fashion icon embodied it - the famous French singer Edith Piaf. She always wore a little black dress on stage because she thought it would allow her voice to speak for her and not her clothes. So the little black dress has become part of the fashion world and the art world - it has become the choice of those who want to focus on substance rather than external luxury.

Small but bold - a wartime heroine or a leader of the feminist revolution - and yes, the black dress suited them both

Even more interestingly, the little black dress became popular during the Second World War. With luxury limited and fabric stocks tight, women opted for minimalist garments that could be worn on many occasions. So when you only had one good dress, a little black dress was ideal - you could match it to formal and casual situations. It was functional and elegant in difficult times.

In the 1960s and during the feminist movement, the little black dress became another symbol. Women who wanted to break free from the stereotypes of the 'housewife' chose clothes that were not only comfortable but also signified independence from conservative norms of the female image. The little black dress symbolized women's freedom, both socially and aesthetically.

Although the black dress is powerful in itself, the magic is in the details

Although the dress itself is minimal, its versatility lies in the details. Some fashion experts say that you can wear a little black dress for a decade if you accessorize it properly. It can be transformed with a scarf, a leather jacket or even those special high heels you only keep in your closet for special occasions.

That's right - the little black dress has survived the decades, becoming a fashion phenomenon and a social, cultural, and historical symbol. And all this, of course, with a bit of irony - a dress that started out so modest has become a true queen of the fashion world.

So the next time you sit in front of the mirror and consider what to wear to an important event, remember that you are not alone. Millions of women worldwide know the same answer - a little black dress. When it first came out, people might have thought it was just another temporary fad, but like Coco Chanel, it has survived all the changing winds of fashion and has come back with a bang every time. Well, why not? Sometimes the best things are the simplest.

So the next time you're standing in front of your wardrobe wondering what to wear, remember: when all other options seem inadequate, a little black dress is always ready to save your day.