Black dresses

I wear a lot of black.... Just take a look at the photos from all of the events I've been to recently and you will see that the base of all my outfits, is black....

Besides ruby slippers, another iconic item of clothing I absolutely love is the black dress. Again, a love influenced by movies...

According to Nancy Macdonell Smith in her book - The Classic Ten - "No one woman or man invented the little black dress. The little black dress was a product of necessity. As women's lives became busier and their status depended less on displaying the wealth of the men they were married to, they needed clothes that were stylish but easy, chic but versatile, beautiful yet practical. The little black dress fit the bill."

But many honour the legendary Coco Chanel as the creator of the modern day black dress. She designed it in 1926 with black jersey material and at the time, many were horrified as jersey was considered an underwear fabric and black was associated with mourning, evil and negativity.

Coco Chanel in one of her black dresses

A movie star legend who wore some of the most beautiful black dresses in her movie star roles has got to be the one and only - Audrey Hepburn. In 1954, she did the movie Sabrina. The character used chic black dresses to prove to all those around her that she was all grown up after her trip to Paris. Audrey's partner in crime in creating the still copied "Audrey look" was Hubert de Givenchy.

Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina

And who could forget the black dresses in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" in 1961?

Audrey Hepburn in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"

I don't know of any modern woman who doesn't own a black dress... or several... Do you?

I must confess, that I just counted mine... I have 18... believe me please, they are all COMPLETELY DIFFERENT! It's a variety of beaded, day dress, velvet, with ruffles, see through portions, plunging neckline, vintage, short, long, mid length..... they all have a very individual look and feel. I have to keep telling myself to try and buy other colours....

Why do I personally love black dresses? You can't go wrong wearing one. If you spill something on yourself or if someone else does, a quick wipe off with the nearest bit of tissue and some water and you will be able to get through the night's event without looking like you had an accident. A simple change of accessories can completely change the look. Example, Last week, I went to work in the morning with a black wrap dress on with no accesories. Time for Harper's Bazaar event, add pink belt, change shoes, hand bag and earings to pink as well to suit the theme. For Anya Hindmarch launch, keep black dress on, take everything else off, add red jacket, change bag and shoes to match and you get a completely different look....

And most of all, it hides every single possible physical flaw...

I try to avoid buying black dresses now, since I already have 18, but deep in my fashion loving heart, if I try one on that makes me feel like Audrey Hepburn, I will be bringing it home to introduce it to the other black dresses in my wardrobe...

PS - If I carry Kira when I'm wearing a black dress, you seriously can't see him!