One colour, endless styles and infinite versatility. Long or short, sexy or demure, glamorous or casual, the Little Black Dress is a legendary garment that has become a fashion phenomenon of the 20th century. So much so that there is currently an exhibition (pictured below) running that charts the course of woman's best friend, featuring 80 styles of the worthy investment from top designers including Marc Jacobs, Yves Saint Laurent and Carolina Herrera.
The display, curated by Vogue contributing editor Andre Leon Talley, explores the history of the item that, despite trends that come and go, has remained a powerful icon for over 90 years and been a constant on the catwalk, red carpet and in many women's wardrobes. Always in vogue and always chic, HELLO! Online is a big fan of the perennial fashion favourite, especially when it comes to party season. Beginning your hunt for the perfect frock and finding there are just too many trends to keep up with can be daunting. So if you are, quite wisely, looking to keep it simple and opt for a timeless LBD for your various soirees and fancy affairs this festive season, check out our edit of the 10 best options on the high street.
This subtly sequinned, high-necked number from Miss Selfridge is our favourite. It's a lovely Christmas party option that remains spot on trend discreet feathers and a skater silhouette. And Reiss' corseted leather creation, with a gunmetal exposed zip on the back, is well worth splashing out on. Looking demure and sexy simultaneously is a balance women strive for but can find difficult to strike. But this Karen Millen dress, with its high-neck, long sleeves and peek-a-boo lace, manages exactly that. And Topshop's crushed velvet midi frock is very Victoria Beckham. We suggest pairing with a gold heel to ramp up the festive vibe.
In a recent survey, it was found that over half of women owns at least one Little Black Dress, with 40 per cent choosing Audrey Hepburn as the woman who wore her LBD best. But other celebrities we aspire to emulate in our own LBDs are Victoria Beckham (9.35 per cent), the Duchess of Cambridge(7.65 per cent), Angelina Jolie (6.95 per cent) and Princess Diana of Wales (5.45 per cent).