Is there anything as iconic in modern fashion as the little black dress, or LBD as some call it? Black used to be associated with death and mourning, but for about a hundred years now, it’s considered the perfect chic color for a wide range of occasions.
Since black dresses have been the fashionable look for about a hundred years now, you may wonder what the options are for styling one without looking boring. After all, you don’t want to look the same as every other woman at the event.
Fortunately, black goes with everything. Whether retro or modern, you can choose the black dress that speaks the most to your style and create a unique outfit for your next night out. In this guide, we’ll give you some inspiration for your next little black dress, and we’ll give you some black dress outfit ideas to help you restyle the ones you already have.
Retro-Inspired Black Dress Outfit Ideas
Since the black dress hasn’t gone out of fashion for decades, there are plenty of styles from throughout history that can supply inspiration for your next look.
1920s Chic
Despite the persistent myth that women only wore fringed flapper dresses during the 1920s, the decade had many styles that won’t look as much like a costume if you wear them. Drop-waist silhouettes were on trend at the time. The waistline of the dress would start at the hips, creating a long, drapey look.
You can make a nod to flapper fashion by having a dress with tiered skirt panels or a little fringe detail without looking like you’re heading to a murder mystery party.
Add some sparkle details like a broach or choose a dress with some beading or sequins. Lace overlays were also popular during this era.
1940s New Look
Dior made waves by launching their “new look” collection just after the end of World War 2. This style was specifically made to contrast the austerity and practical dress seen during the war, using a lot of fabric in its designs.
One of the most iconic looks from the collection was a black dress with a v-neck and an extremely full skirt reaching just above the ankles. The silhouette nips the wearer’s waist before flaring out into a large skirt. In this collection, a skirt and jacket combo, called the Bar Suit was also popular. It combined a full pleated skirt with a long white jacket that also nipped the waist.
You could get inspiration from this style by choosing a black dress with a fit and flare silhouette. Add a white blazer that follows your curves, some pearls, and black pumps to embody this iconic post-war look.
You could also forgo the blazer and add a belt to further emphasize your waist.
1960s Hepburn
In 1961 the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s launched Audrey Hepburn to new levels of global stardom. It also popularized the name “Tiffany” for girls and featured several iconic looks. The most well-known outfit that Hepburn sports is in the opening scene of the film and once again later on.
Hepburn is coming home from an all-night party, having coffee and a pastry in front of the window of Tiffany’s shop, looking at the jewelry. In this scene, she wears a sleekly fitted full-length black dress with an elegant boat neck, slightly open at the back. She styles it with long black satin gloves, an extravagant pearl necklace, black heels, and a pair of sunglasses.
To capture this iconic look for yourself for a dramatic night out or even a gala, find a long black dress that fits you like a glove. The style intentionally shows very little skin but rather exhibits your body shape instead. A string of pearls, a bun piled on top of your head, and some elbow-length gloves will make your fashion homage clear.
1890s/1980s Victorian Goth
The late Victorian era saw a shift in fashion. While the 1880s saw a bustled skirt trend, the 1890s moved to a more natural, A-line shape that didn’t need as many supports or as much fabric to create the ideal silhouette. Puffed and ruffled sleeves tapering to fitted wrists were also a trend at the time.
Mourning wear was still a societal trend in this era, with different levels of mourning being observed depending on how close a person was to you. This cult of mourning appealed to the goth sub-culture of the 1980s and some of the styles of this era were revived.
All-black outfits featuring lace, ruffles, puffed sleeves, and white collared shirts came into fashion. Huge sleeves even entered mainstream fashion in the 1980s.
You can stand out in a Victorian mourning-inspired ensemble whether you take direct inspiration from that era, or from the goth fashions of the 1980s. Choose a dress with an A-line shape and large puff sleeves to create the right silhouette. You can also add a lacy element by layering a lace blouse underneath your dress or wearing lace gloves.
You could also wear a collared white blouse under a black dress with a more open neck to allude to the neo-Victorian style. Black leather ankle boots also work well for both eras. Colorful opaque tights or fishnets will add a bold pop to the look.
Restyling a Black Dress in Your Closet
The best way to have a more sustainable wardrobe is to wear what you already have as much as possible. By styling your black dress with different accessories, you can wear it for more occasions for many years to come.
Casual Styling Black Dress Outfit Ideas
While a little black dress is a staple at any formal event, many black dresses can also be styled for daytime wear or more casual events. This works particularly well for black dresses that are around knee-length and have little embellishment.
Sweet and Simple
Styling a simple black dress with a colorful cardigan and some ballet flats creates a sweet, but polished look you can wear to many occasions. It would be perfect for a brunch or lunch date or even just running errands.
Add some stud earrings and a half-up hairdo to complete this gentle feminine look.
Edgy Looks
A black dress can also be styled in a cooler, edgier way. You can add a sheer lace blouse underneath to create texture in the outfit. Fishnet stockings or a motorcycle jacket also look great with a basic black dress and can make even a simple dress work great for a club night.
Heavy-soled leather boots ground the look. Adding some strong metal jewelry, like a thick chain or cuff bracelet also give a harder edge to the style.
Creative Layering
A black dress can also be styled in an artistic boho style. Just because something is a dress doesn’t mean you can’t wear it as a blouse.
Wear a flowy maxi skirt over your dress to give it a totally different look. You can leave the top of the dress as-is, or wear an open button-down blouse on top. Knot it at the front if you want to define your waist or leave it loose for a breezy look.
Leather sandals or even light-soled sneakers work well with this style. You can also play with accessories like big earrings, long necklaces, and colorful scarves. The only thing to limit you is your imagination.
Workwear Black Dress Outfit Ideas
Black dresses can also be integrated into workwear. There are a few ways you can style them for the office.
Officewear
If you work in a traditional office where suits and other more professional looks are the norm, you can wear many black dresses day-to-day in the office.
Adding a blazer can create a more professional look. You might also add some sheer stockings and low-heeled pumps for a more traditional office. A neat cardigan could also take the place of a blazer.
If the neckline of your dress is lower than you’re comfortable wearing at the office, you could layer a camisole or a collared blouse underneath.
Office Events
Many workplaces will have holiday parties or dinner events for their employees once or twice a year. You can wear your favorite black dress for that occasion as well. Depending on how formal the event is or what time of year it takes place, you may want to wear a sweater or a wrap over your dress.
Wear whatever shoes you’re comfortable in that suit the event. If all your male colleagues are likely to show up in khakis and polo shirts, don’t sweat wearing some simple ballet flats for the party.
Get More Wear Out of Your Little Black Dress
As you can see, there are so many iterations of the black dress in fashion that you really can’t go wrong. Put your own mark on the classic look by choosing a style of black dress that you love. Get the most out of it by styling it to wear in other areas of your life as well.
