Classic moments with LBD: Light, Beautiful, Drop-dead gorgeous

By: Chloe Thompson

Posted: 6/13/09

Summer 2009 - I am poised to bring you my take on a historical iconic figure: the Little Black Dress.

All kidding aside, the little black dress is a staple in every wardrobe, and yes, has been through centuries of change. Perhaps it has even inspired people to become a better citizen and fight for social justice. That, I can't tell you.

I do not have such a fashion necessity. I prefer to pull off colors like red, green and the occasional splash of purple ... but I digress.

The "LBD" (as Sex and the City and numerous outlets have coined it) can complement any occasion, any figure and any sense of style.

Whether you like to go for the 1920s look and throw some fringe, handkerchief hemlines and maybe even some sequins, or you like to be demure and sophisticated a la Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" (or Blair Waldorf in Gossip Girl,) you can always find a little black dress to fit your mood.

The beauty of the LBD is that it can be jazzed up with (gasp) color. A girl should never leave the house without an accessory. As a self-proclaimed earring addict, I urge you to pick your favorite color (minus brown or navy blue) and throw on some bling. Snap up a bright red purse or stick with a girly pink clutch. Feeling a little crazy? Minimal animal print (Read: Do not pair leopard print earrings with a leopard print bag, scarf, belt and necklace) adds a bit of unbridled style.

Feeling a bit funky? Put on some badass hoops or dangles from Charlotte Russe or Wet Seal. If you're more of a classy debutante, I'd hit up Banana Republic or The Limited for some sexy, yet more expensive (think $18 to $25 per pair of earrings) jewelry.

The LBD is perfect for dates, work affairs, meeting the parents, accepting your first Grammy (hey, why not?) or even for more casual affairs. Throw a jean jacket over a strapless black dress and some silver hoops and flip flops and you've got a cute and simple spring outfit.

A question that was posed to me as I was writing this column is: How short is too short?

Here's a few hints. If you stoop to pick up a fallen purse or (ahem) non-alcoholic beverage and your hands instantly go to pull your dress over your derriere ... Get into the New Jersey way of thinking and throw on some leggings. You want to be remembered as the girl who was classy, not the girl whose butt the entire group can clearly picture upon seeing you again.

Above the knees? Apply only to semi-formals, bar hopping and cocktail parties. Leave it home for the family events unless you want to be called a hussy by Auntie May.

At the knees? Think the holidays, weddings (though why people think it's OK to wear black to a wedding, I'll never understand) and church. Just keep those shoulders covered.

Below the knees? Make sure you're wearing high-heeled shoes, because ankle-length dresses and flats together make the wearer look stumpy and strange.

If you really get bored with an all-black dress, fastening a belt around it can instantly rev it up a notch ... so much that you might get away with wearing it two weekends in a row.

The last thing I love about little black dresses is that they look good on pretty much anyone. Black, if you didn't already realize, is a very slimming color. Black, white, asian, latino ... skin color doesn't matter when you're wearing black. Even the palest of the pale can wear it - just make sure to slick on some coral lipstick and play up your eyes.

So, my little fashionistas, make like a celebrity and go get yourself a little black dress. Trust me, you won't regret your decision.