10 Celebrity LBDs That Prove The Iconic Outfit's Versatility

In 1926, when Coco Chanel first coined the Little Black Dress as "the uniform of all women of good taste," could she have envisioned the fascinating journey it would subsequently undertake? What was once a color typically reserved for mourning, was now becoming the ultimate anti-trend staple celebrated for its flexibility, practicality, and year-round relevance. The legendary fashion designer's vision was shared in Vogue, hailed for its wearability, and celebrated as the Ford Model T of dresses (in other words, charmingly simple and accessible to all).  

The LBD signalled a break from the restrictive fashions of yesteryear. A century later, the Little Black Dress remains a reflection of that audacious spirit of the roaring 1920s: transformative, spirited, and liberated. Though it began as a uniform, it is anything but. Rather, it's a tabula rasa, allowing wearers to express their individual beauty under the chic umbrella of its original idea. In its boundless potential to be reinterpreted, it wields eclectic results. This is why the Little Black dress endures; it reinvents itself for the person who wears it. And whichever way it's worn, it can usually guarantee it's going to make a statement.

Is somebody going to match her twee? At the 2019 Fashion Awards, Alexa Chung proved that few could tap into the potential of the LBD quite like the woman who helped define cool. The OG It Girl elevated the piece into a floor-length gown dripping in sequins. A crisp white Peter Pan collar with matching cuffs — so distinctly Alexa — anchored the look in her signature mod ingénue style. The dress was the ultimate power play, given it was a custom creation from her own Alexa Chung label. Here, we have a dazzling reminder of the LBD's capacity to be both universal and utterly distinctive.

Baby, this is Keke Palmer! Our reigning comedy queen lit up the Essence Festival in a one-shoulder LBD. The bodycon fit was satisfyingly uncomplicated, with its shortened cut maintaining the fun, youthful energy we know and love her for. But it was the asymmetrical shoulder, adorned with jeweled floral appliqués, that really made it a standout. The embellishments were pretty and fun, and Keke's black peep-toe heels elongated her legs to keep the overall presentation sleek and streamlined. Her radiant presence did the rest.

"Mad Men" bombshell Christina Hendricks stole the show at the Emmy Awards in an old Hollywood rendition of the LBD. With its black sash sitting at her waist, the gown's flattering form accentuated her enviable figure, while lace sleeves and a sweetheart neckline added a romantic elegance. The look channelled the ageless allure and mystique of enduring screen sirens — fitting for a dress with a fishtail finish. And to sprinkle a personal touch, this beautiful custom was crafted by her longtime friend, Christian Siriano.

Lady Gaga gave us a million reasons to fall in love with her high-fashion approach to the LBD. Feeling flirty, the hemline hit her mid-thigh. The strapless jet mini included a structured bodice to create clean, angular lines, but this was cleverly offset by voluminous tulle sleeves. Billowing with oversized ruffles and a feathered texture, she proved the LBD could earn its applause through unexpected shapes and textures. The oversized sunglasses were the perfect final touch to shield from the paparazzi. Like Christina Hendricks', this garment was another work of art by Christian Siriano. Is he the unsung hero of the LBD?

Trust Beyoncé to take the glamour of the LBD to galactic heights. For her monumental Renaissance World Tour, she hypnotized in a dramatic, seductive full-length gown. The silhouette was punctuated by a daring high-rise slit and keyhole neckline with curved edges to tease her décolletage. For this Alien Superstar, subtle gliter was woven into the fabric which shimmered like stardust. A wide-brimmed hat supplemented the theatrical flourish needed to fill stadiums. She took the concept of the Little Black Dress and made it, as she says, unique!

Don't trust the B–, but you can trust the LBD. The enduring get-up once again proved its limitless versatility, this time checking into the Chateau Marmont via Krysten Ritter's appearance at a MaxMara-hosted cocktail party. Revealing a slanted trim that gracefully transitioned into a blush pink panel, this frock offered a unforeseen reinterpretation of the quintessential motif. The dual-toned design pleasingly disrupted the monotony of the idea, and soothed the overall austerity of the ebony fabric.

BLACKPINK's Jennie sported a minimalist, fitness-forward take on the LBD. Rendered in a glossy, satin-like fabric, the dress clung to her petite frame with a fitted structure, its shorter hemline leaning into an off-duty nonchalance. A scooped neckline and thin spaghetti straps kept it feminine, while the athleisure element — a small, understated logo at the chest — further casualized the garb.

"We must cultivate desire, chaos and destruction," said Charli xcx of her "brat" era. So when the labeled brat summer called for a LBD, it needed to embody this ethos completely. The ensemble she wore to Wimbledon 2024 was a contradiction: a clash of delicate lace and bold accessories that felt intentionally incohesive. The scalloped hemline and intricate patterning hinted at bohemian softness, but this was sharply undercut by the harshness of the color and her sling-back, pointed-toe stilettos coupled with knee-high socks. Nonetheless, it worked. With her defiant attitude and the frenetic energy of brat summer as her cultural compass, this was a prime example of how the LBD works to power individuality.

Sabrina Carpenter's stint as the opener for Taylor Swift in 2023 saw her rock multiple colour variations of the now definitive Ivan Frolov heart-cutout minidress. For the Mexico City leg of the tour, she made it a statement LBD. The sable version of the number, with its glistening rhinestones and cheeky heart-shaped peekaboo panel, was the perfect extension of her flirty onstage persona. Paired with Polly Pocket platform boots, this wardrobe choice became a viral sensation, inspiring countless TikTok videos from her enthusiastic fanbase.

No discussion of the LBD would be complete without Princess Diana's unforgettable moment in her Christina Stambolian creation — showing versatility not just in design, but also in purpose. Worn to a 1994 gala at London's Serpentine Gallery, this dress swiftly became one of the most famous fashion moments in history, coinciding with the airing of a tell-all documentary about Prince Charles' infidelity. It also cemented Princess Diana as someone who was unafraid to break royal fashion rules. Midnight black and crafted from luxurious silk crepe fabric, the design featured an off-the-shoulder neckline that framed Diana's poise and confidence. The thigh-high slit infused just the right amount of sensuality Sensual, sophisticated, stunning, strategic: Diana taught us many things, not least that revenge is a dish best served in a Little Black Dress.