Comments on: Death To the Little Black Dress http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/ Fashion, Lifestyle, and Humor for the Plus Sized Woman. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:19:13 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Not Your Mother’s Little Black Dress » Manolo for the Big Girl! http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-2072 Not Your Mother’s Little Black Dress » Manolo for the Big Girl! Sat, 20 Oct 2007 15:01:21 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-2072 [...] my very first write up for Manolo for the Big Girl, I presented a diatribe against the Little Black Dress. I stand very much by my words. The Little Black Dress is only for those who look good in Little [...] [...] my very first write up for Manolo for the Big Girl, I presented a diatribe against the Little Black Dress. I stand very much by my words. The Little Black Dress is only for those who look good in Little [...]

]]> By: La BellaDonna http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-850 La BellaDonna Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:27:04 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-850 No black dresses to weddings, no white dresses to weddings - although, curiously, black-and-white is just fine! I wear black 99% of the time during the day (I am a Person Of Pallor, with skin as white as snow, and hair as black as ebony, and lips as red as the rest of the story, and I look dandy in black. For the <i>nighttime,</i> however, I will, if at all possible, wear a <i>colour;</i> a nice, vivid, jewel-tone colour that flatters my skin and makes me easy to pick out of a crowd. One of the things I so dislike about the LBD for other women is that, if they're not used to wearing black, they think <i>any</i> black garment is suitable for a festive occasion, and wind up in dresses of drab, null black, especially around the holidays, because they think that <i>any</i> black dress is a <i>festive</i> black dress - which is so, so far from the truth. I happen to love Festive Black - black with texture, depth, sparkle; black that shimmers, or rustles, or is beaded, embroidered, or spangled; silk or satin or velvet; wool crepe, wool gabardine, beautifully tailored; but those are all for the <i>day.</i> Night, and celebration, call for colour. No black dresses to weddings, no white dresses to weddings – although, curiously, black-and-white is just fine! I wear black 99% of the time during the day (I am a Person Of Pallor, with skin as white as snow, and hair as black as ebony, and lips as red as the rest of the story, and I look dandy in black. For the nighttime, however, I will, if at all possible, wear a colour; a nice, vivid, jewel-tone colour that flatters my skin and makes me easy to pick out of a crowd. One of the things I so dislike about the LBD for other women is that, if they’re not used to wearing black, they think any black garment is suitable for a festive occasion, and wind up in dresses of drab, null black, especially around the holidays, because they think that any black dress is a festive black dress – which is so, so far from the truth. I happen to love Festive Black – black with texture, depth, sparkle; black that shimmers, or rustles, or is beaded, embroidered, or spangled; silk or satin or velvet; wool crepe, wool gabardine, beautifully tailored; but those are all for the day. Night, and celebration, call for colour.

]]> By: Lexy http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-824 Lexy Tue, 04 Sep 2007 16:36:11 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-824 And another thing! Stop wearing black dresses to weddings. Not that any of you do that of course... but sing the gospel with me. No more LBD's at weddings. It's a celebration, try to look happy! And another thing!

Stop wearing black dresses to weddings. Not that any of you do that of course… but sing the gospel with me. No more LBD’s at weddings. It’s a celebration, try to look happy!

]]> By: The Charlotte Allen http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-810 The Charlotte Allen Mon, 03 Sep 2007 21:40:58 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-810 Twistie, you are so right on about black! Some people--brunettes--look absolutely fabulous in black. I, an ultra-fair-skinned, freckled, hazel-eyed strawberry blonde, look like I'm laid out. I could get away with black when I was 20--but those days will never come again. So I was quite distressed when I read an article today about Tim Gunn's new fashion show on Bravo, including his list of clothing items every woman should own. One of those items was the "little black dress." Oh no--what to do? (I worship Tim Gunn.) Your blog-post saved my sanity. Surely there are "black equivalents"--neutral shades such as navy, burgundy, camel, gray, brown--in which we black-o-phobics could find flattering, sophisticated, nicely cut "little" dresses to fill the LBD niche. You have pointed the way, and I'm forever grateful. Twistie, you are so right on about black!

Some people–brunettes–look absolutely fabulous in black. I, an ultra-fair-skinned, freckled, hazel-eyed strawberry blonde, look like I’m laid out. I could get away with black when I was 20–but those days will never come again.

So I was quite distressed when I read an article today about Tim Gunn’s new fashion show on Bravo, including his list of clothing items every woman should own. One of those items was the “little black dress.” Oh no–what to do? (I worship Tim Gunn.) Your blog-post saved my sanity. Surely there are “black equivalents”–neutral shades such as navy, burgundy, camel, gray, brown–in which we black-o-phobics could find flattering, sophisticated, nicely cut “little” dresses to fill the LBD niche. You have pointed the way, and I’m forever grateful.

]]> By: kalamari http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-801 kalamari Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:54:54 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-801 I just recently bought my first little black dress. I feel superfantastic in it and got a really great compliment on how good I look in black. The black dress is versatile and can be dressed up or down. I think that is why it has become a wardrobe staple, although it is not for everyone. I just recently bought my first little black dress. I feel superfantastic in it and got a really great compliment on how good I look in black. The black dress is versatile and can be dressed up or down. I think that is why it has become a wardrobe staple, although it is not for everyone.

]]> By: Sara http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-796 Sara Mon, 03 Sep 2007 06:42:19 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-796 Black is not for everyone, this is true. Although, every woman should have a beautiful dress that is serviceable for many occasions through proper accessorization. I wonder if a great part of the LBD success is the relief of knowing you look great before you've even started decorating yourself. I, of the alabaster skin, dark hair, and giant green eyes, have close to ten LBDs--different cuts and fabrics and embelishments. The best among them feel like zipping myself into armor, so great is their beautifying power. It's worth making the investment in something that's well-made and nice, then making a further investment in having it tailored. There's no way the effect Ms. Chanel had in mind is going to be realized in a $50 polyester crepe number straight off the rack. Black is not for everyone, this is true. Although, every woman should have a beautiful dress that is serviceable for many occasions through proper accessorization. I wonder if a great part of the LBD success is the relief of knowing you look great before you’ve even started decorating yourself.

I, of the alabaster skin, dark hair, and giant green eyes, have close to ten LBDs–different cuts and fabrics and embelishments. The best among them feel like zipping myself into armor, so great is their beautifying power. It’s worth making the investment in something that’s well-made and nice, then making a further investment in having it tailored. There’s no way the effect Ms. Chanel had in mind is going to be realized in a $50 polyester crepe number straight off the rack.

]]> By: JaneC http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-792 JaneC Sun, 02 Sep 2007 16:56:26 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-792 Twistie, I do have a few red dresses, and one green one, but they are either day clothes or very formal--i.e. not suitable for the wine-and-cheese parties and concerts that I bring out the LBD for (and the scarves are not for dressing up the LBD as much as the LBD is the background for the scarves and shawls that I adore). Although, now that I've moved to Los Angeles, I'm usually overdressed if I'm wearing a dress at all--everyone else is in jeans, which makes me sad. Twistie, I do have a few red dresses, and one green one, but they are either day clothes or very formal–i.e. not suitable for the wine-and-cheese parties and concerts that I bring out the LBD for (and the scarves are not for dressing up the LBD as much as the LBD is the background for the scarves and shawls that I adore). Although, now that I’ve moved to Los Angeles, I’m usually overdressed if I’m wearing a dress at all–everyone else is in jeans, which makes me sad.

]]> By: Linda Grant http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-790 Linda Grant Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:50:41 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-790 You do get a better fit with more expensive brands. Armani Collezioni go up to US size 16 You do get a better fit with more expensive brands. Armani Collezioni go up to US size 16

]]> By: Constance Kent http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-787 Constance Kent Sun, 02 Sep 2007 07:48:12 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-787 Food for thought! I am afraid I have often fallen into the trap of going black with the idea it is the color of elegance and simplicity, when truth be told, a deep chocolate brown or even navy is more flattering. I resolve to quit automatically choosing "black" by default. Food for thought! I am afraid I have often fallen into the trap of going black with the idea it is the color of elegance and simplicity, when truth be told, a deep chocolate brown or even navy is more flattering. I resolve to quit automatically choosing “black” by default.

]]> By: loretta http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/comment-page-1/#comment-786 loretta Sun, 02 Sep 2007 05:58:05 +0000 http://manolobig.com/2007/09/01/death-to-the-little-black-dress/#comment-786 The right seam and the right line and properly structured etc is all very well as an ideal, but it's a nearly unattainable goal in the mass market, i.e. short of having the item made for you. There's too much variation in bodies. This is a problem for all women shopping the mass market, obviously, but it's a worse problem at higher sizes than at lower. Fashion-thin people can do the structured and perfect lines and so forth, at least if they take any trouble at all to look for the designers that work for them, because the range of body shapes that fit into a size 2 or 4 at average height -- while it is a range -- is one hell of a lot smaller than the much more extensive range of body shapes that fit into a 14 or a 24. Doesn't mean you can't find the occasional dress in a terrific color and a good material that fits flatteringly. But unless you are built more or less like a larger version of the fashionable silhouette -- you know, pretty straight up and down: B cup, waist only moderately defined and hips not much wider than waist -- chances are that dress is not going to be a work of fashion genius in a highly structured style that makes you want to wax eloquent over the lines of it. Not that I'm bitter. The right seam and the right line and properly structured etc is all very well as an ideal, but it’s a nearly unattainable goal in the mass market, i.e. short of having the item made for you. There’s too much variation in bodies. This is a problem for all women shopping the mass market, obviously, but it’s a worse problem at higher sizes than at lower. Fashion-thin people can do the structured and perfect lines and so forth, at least if they take any trouble at all to look for the designers that work for them, because the range of body shapes that fit into a size 2 or 4 at average height — while it is a range — is one hell of a lot smaller than the much more extensive range of body shapes that fit into a 14 or a 24.

Doesn’t mean you can’t find the occasional dress in a terrific color and a good material that fits flatteringly. But unless you are built more or less like a larger version of the fashionable silhouette — you know, pretty straight up and down: B cup, waist only moderately defined and hips not much wider than waist — chances are that dress is not going to be a work of fashion genius in a highly structured style that makes you want to wax eloquent over the lines of it.

Not that I’m bitter.

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