There are items of clothing that are so versatile and stand the test of time so well that they earn themselves the term ‘classic’. Blue denim jeans, a crisp white shirt, ballet bumps and tea dresses have all earned themselves this title but nothing screams classic more than the little black dress. Everyone should have one in their wardrobe, ready for any occasion and any accessories. While the LBD doesn’t necessarily have one clear origin story, one can say that Coco Chanel’s black dresses of the 1920s helped bring this timeless style into popularity. Through the second world war and the golden age of Hollywood, the little black dress carried on to soar, with many new technicolour films utilising black costumes as the colours would distort less in post-production. Ever since the LBD can be found in every high-street and high-end store still at the height of its influence, so let us take a look back at some of the most iconic little black dress moments from history.

Audrey Hepburn

The image of Audrey Hepburn in a custom Givenchy gown in the opening sequence of the 1961 hit Breakfast At Tiffany’s is one we all know. Paired with a string of pearls, this image has solidified the black dress and white pearls relationship we all adore - it is perhaps the most famous black dress moment of the 20th century!

Diana, Princess of Wales

The revenge dress - quite possibly Diana’s most famous look after her very 1980s wedding gown. Arriving at a party at London’s Serpentine Gallery on the night Prince Charles announced his affair in 1994, Diana wore this now iconic Christina Stamboulian dress.

Elizabeth Hurley

Who on this earth hasn’t wanted to wear the Gianni Versace safety pin dress worn by Elizabeth Hurley to the premiere of Four Weddings And A Funeral in 1994! It has inspired other designs for over two decades now and will continue to do so for many more.

Rita Hayworth

In the 1964 old Hollywood movie Gilda, Hayworth took the audience’s breath away when she wore this Jean Louis black gown with matching black gloves to perform ‘Put The Blame On Mame’.

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Aniston’s style has always been clean, chic and put together. Shown perfectly here when she wore a gorgeous black slip dress to the premiere of Troy just a few months before her split with Brad Pitt.

Barbra Streisand

Oh, Babs! While this is technically a two-piece, it is being included because of how iconic it is. Worn to the 1969 Academy Awards where Barbra would win the award for Best Actress, this sheer number will always be memorable.

Cher

Sticking with the Academy Awards, Cher’s 1986 Bob Mackie creation is frankly wild, ridiculous and out-there but hey, that’s what Cher is all about!

Marilyn Monroe

Perhaps one of the famous faces of the 20th century, Marilyn Monroe was a well-known fashion icon. She wore this little black number in the 1959 movie Some Like It Hot.

Queen Victoria

You can’t write about black clothing without giving the literal Queen of mourning wear a mention! You can learn more about Victorian mourning wear here!