Black Dress Pearl

The dress code for a black tie event is formal. For women, this typically means full-length gowns, clutch handbags and statement jewelry. Men's black tie attire is usually a tuxedo. As the name suggests, a black bow tie or necktie is the traditional accessory, but today, some men choose to wear ties in other solid colors or even prints. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of men's and women's formal apparel.

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel made the little black dress famous. In 1926, Chanel introduced it, reclaiming a color that had once been largely reserved for mourning. When it debuted, Vogue magazine called the dress Chanel's Ford, considering that just as the Model T made automobile ownership attainable for the middle class, the little black dress made high fashion accessible for everyday women. Find a variety of Chanel dresses on 1stDibs.

For ladies, black tie dress code means that there is an expectation to dress formally. This typically involves wearing a full-length gown. Bold statement jewelry and pumps are also commonly worn to black-tie events. For handbags, women usually opt to carry small clutches with black tie attire. Explore a wide variety of gowns, shoes, bags and accessories on 1stDibs.

What makes the Chanel little black dress so special has everything to do with what the garment symbolized and the era in which it materialized. Legendary fashion designer Coco Chanel revolutionized women’s wear, introducing a more casual, less constricting look for the early 20th century, and debuting uncomplicated skirts and jackets made of a cloth-like fabric called jersey that was considerably unconventional in the world of couture fashion. She set the fashion world alight in 1926 with an elegant but versatile black dress, which was simple and spare compared to other Jazz Age garments (and quite bold, as black was reserved for mourning). Importantly, the dress was affordable during a time of great financial difficulty and aimed at the broadest possible market. Find vintage Chanel dresses on 1stDibs.

Coco Chanel first made the little black dress popular in 1926. That year, Vogue magazine referred to the dress as Chanel’s Model T as a way to describe how the approachable design was something the average woman could wear, just as Ford’s Model T automobile made it possible for more everyday people to own a car. On 1stDibs, find a selection of Chanel dresses.