An Ode To The LBD: How The Humble Black Dress Earned Icon Status (And Where To Shop The Best)

The allure of an LBD promises so much and, quite frankly, always delivers. It gives just the right amount of sexy, is always dress-code appropriate and manages to be completely timeless – no mean feat in an era of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Tik-Tok trends. And, while we don’t need to tell you that an LBD is a certified wardrobe essential, the popularity of the little black dress isn’t just maintaining year on year but is, in fact, on the rise. So much so that Arket has just launched a capsule collection dedicated solely to little black dresses, while Net-A- Porter has reported a 212% rise in searches for the style since August.

Luckily, if you’re looking to invest you needn’t spend a fortune. Marks & Spencer’s embellished shift dress comes in at £45 and even designer versions have a more accessible price-tag than usual – note Rick Owens’ lightly ruched one-shoulder number for under £500.

What’s more, you’re guaranteed to wear it again (and again). A quick revisit to red carpets of yesteryear cements the staying power of the LBD: example A being Jennifer Aniston, whose 20-year commitment to the little black dress could (and should) be studied. Sure, the accessories and hair have changed, but the premise of the dress remains the same: fitted, chic and (you guessed it) black. Regardless of how complex a dress code might be, a neat black dress covers all bases, and can be dressed up or down, depending on your plans. Even the wardrobe conundrum of, dare I say, 'going from the office to drinks with the girls' - a phenomenon that occurs a lot less than Sex And The City led me to believe - would be solved with an LBD.

When it comes to the full ensemble, if your personal style calls for statement jewellery then pile it on. No frills more your thing? Consider the failsafe combo of 15 denier tights and classic slingback heels your new party plus ones and, speaking from experience, investing in some built-for-purpose tights is a must. Yes, the two pairs for £7 packs in Boots have their place, but spending a little more on a ladder-proof pair (Heist's £30 rip-resistant tights are currently on sale) will save any hosiery hoisting catastrophes.

So, if you've not yet found for perfect black dress, here are some of Grazia's current favourites...

Shop: The Best Black Dresses 2024

Julia Harvey has been Grazia’s shopping editor for over three years, overseeing and editing all things shopping for the title from trend pages, gift guides and the best things to buy now in both print and online.