Welcome!
The following is a project for my Dress and Humanities Class here at Utah State University. In essence we will be exploring the culture of “The Little Black Dress!”
Stick around, you may learn some cool new things. The project is broken up into sections and each section has its own post.
Part 2: Body, Environment, & Dress
Part 3: Dress & Culture
Part 4: Art, Aesthetics, & Dress
Part 5: Dress & the Future
Enjoy!
Because of the diversity of the LBD it is hard to say what the future holds for this article of clothing. With the advancement of technology we could see that added to this iconic piece and options that I cant even image could be in store. While I do think (based on current trends and the way things have been going) that we could see a continuation of hem lines growing shorter and necklines growing deeper, you never know because the options are so incredibly diverse. While it is hard to say what the future will bring when it comes to the little black dress, I can tell you what I would like to see happen in the future for this wonderful staple piece of clothing.
In Design Museum’s “Fifty Dresses That Changed The World” we find a section on the Little Black Dress. Accompanying pictures of Audrey Hepburn from Breakfast at Tiffany’s the book says this: ” The premise behind the LBD is that it can be worn for a variety of occasions from one season to the next, with classic and timeless confidence. A dress that says it all without the need to shout, its purpose is to be a uniform that lends to its wearer an air of demure sophistication.” This is what I hope the future holds for the Little Black Dress. I chose to do my portfolio on this topic because of the reputation it has for doing just those things for women, and personally I feel like our society could use a return to the “classic and timeless” confidence that this iconic piece of dress originally created. I hope that the future brings us back to the time of Audrey Hepburn and the style and sophistication that she gave to the Little Black Dress.
Because there are so many different designs and types of the little black dress, there are always going to be exceptions, however in general I would say that the little black dress is body dominant. Black is very slimming and so is often worn to make ones figure appear smaller. The little black dress is known for showing off ones body shape. The little black dress does not come with a prescribed form or way to wear it. Like previously stated there are so many different forms and designs that can be found as well as class levels or level of sophistication. (The little black dress can be dressed down or dressed up!) Because of this, I would say that there isn’t one prescribed way to wear a little black dress because they are almost all different. Even the same dress can be worn in totally different ways depending on what accessories you add with. Because of that it is very easy to show your individuality through the different designs and through how you wear the different dresses. It’s pretty simple, the little black dress, while very classy and iconic, allows one to express their feelings and personality. Culturally, the dress is known for showing off a slimming figure, often with simple lines and the color black. The dress can have all different types of form, texture, and shape, as well as different emphasis, and proportions. All of these combined appeal to what society tells us is attractive or ideal. One of the biggest things I have found while doing this project is that all the elements and principles of dress, all the aspects of what we’ve been talking about throughout the semester, all apply to the little black dress. But discussing how is hard because each dress is different, including some aspects that other dresses don’t. The little black dress amazes me because it is such an iconic piece, and yet it is so personal and individual. I love it.
The little black dress allows us to explore the past, present, and future in a timeless and classy way. Even still you see elements of design and dress that come from dress practices of the past. You also see other cultures influencing the designs we see. The little black dress is iconic for a reason, meaning that when we see it (no matter what design or form it is in) it takes us back to another time and reminds us of ideals and values that were important then.
World Dress/Mainstream Fashion
I decided that the little black dress is mainstream fashion. While we cant generalize and say that “everyone” around the world wears it, there is a reason that it is known as the “must have” for ladies. We see the little black dress being worn around the world, and because the little black dress can be found in so many forms and designs, we are able to see so many different world cultures peak through. In my opinion, the little black dress can be considered mainstream fashion.
Discovering the Cultural Context and Evolution of the “Little Black Dress.”
CULTURAL CONTEXT
The Little Black Dress is a cultural icon. An article of clothing that is said to be a “must for all women’s closest,” the little black dress is an article of clothing that has lasted the tests of time. This iconic piece of clothing is said to be a staple in everyone’s wardrobe and can be worn by pretty much anyone. While it typically is something worn as more formal attire, it can also be dressed down and worn more casually, which is part of why it is so versatile. There truly are so many people who can wear them, and so many places, times, and ways the little black dress can be worn.
The little black dress started was strongly influenced by Audrey Hepburn and her iconic little black dress from “Breakfast At Tiffany’s.” It helped bring the iconic piece to America, and the cultural spread of the “Little Black Dress.” Her influence was exponential and she played a tremendous role in why the piece is known across as a “staple” that women should all have in their closets. Coco Channel also played a large role in the birth of the “little black dress” and is still making contributions to its fame.
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM OF DRESS
The classification system of dress is a little tricky here because the “little black dress” is so versatile and can be so different. Each one is unique and yet they are all the same iconic staple. The following are words that describe the little black dress. When it comes to body modifications and supplements the dress is definitely temporary. It can be a wrapped or pres-shaped enclosure or both. It can have supplemental attachments (or attachments to the enclosure) or simply be the fabric that the dress is made out of. Th classification system on this one is tricky because there are so many possibilities and so many options.
SHELDON’S SOMATOTYPES
The following is the information about Sheldon’s Somatotypes that we discussed in class. Originally I thought that the little black dress would fall into a specific somatotype for a specific body, but after looking into things a bit more it became clear that all body shapes and types can “pull off” a little black dress, which contributes to why it is such an iconic article of clothing. The following information from the lecture slides (accompanied by the pictures they are grouped with) helps support this point.
Endomorphic
• Rounded with prominent abdomen
• Focused on digestive system, (stomach=endoderm)
• Tendency towards plumpness
• Personality: love of comfort/luxury, extravert
Mesomorphic
• Large boned, muscular
• Focused on musculature, circulatory system (mesoderm)
• Personality: courageous, energetic, active, dynamic, assertive,
aggressive, risk taker
(In this photo, Khloé Kardashian (middle) is a prime example of a mesomorphic body type)
Ectomorphic
• Linear and slender
• Focused on nervous system and brain (ectoderm)
• Personality: artistic, sensitive, apprehensive, introvert
SIPLE’S CLOTHING ZONES
Again, based off of the diversity of the little black dress, the clothing article can fit into multiple clothing zones. The following are clothing zones that the little black dress could fall under.
Hot Dry Zone
One Layer Zone
Two Layer Zone
Three Layer Zone
and possibly
Four Layer Zone
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The Little Black Dress 