STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Collette · Chanel

Classic Black Dress

sfclinevandy · Coach

Here are some ideas from Neimans

Nicole Miller $385

D&G $320

David Meister $290

Theory $350

Michael Kors, $750... a little more than you want to spend but so pretty

DVF on sale for $230 but only in a 4 or 12

D&G on sale for $175 from $485 but only in a 6 or 10

From Saks

DVF $298... similar as above but in all sizes

Chic · Marc Jacobs

My feelings on a perfect LBD that can go everywhere, anytime of year, wears well and is comfortable, would be in matte jersey. Which as SFClinevandy suggested, DVF uses this in her designs. BCBG also uses this fabric too, every season. Other designers do to, but there is a difference between nice matte jersey and cheap. Cheap is great too, but you can tell a difference. I would invest in a nice one and then you can dress it up and down, wear it anytime of year, it travels really well and some can be washed easily in woolite. I buy a new one every year just to update my styles. I will look for some classic ones, if you want long sleeve invest in a DVF wrap, those are fantastic.

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

I really like this one. I blew up the image so that you could see the bow detailing. $168 at Banana:

sfclinevandy · Coach

Duh, I forgot about this dress that I own. I from Anthropologie, is so beautiful and vintage looking, and is only $128. The picture really doesn't do it justice. I know this is a lot less then you are willing to spend, but it's very classic and I know I'll be able to wear it forever.

Chic · Marc Jacobs

I think that every woman should have 6 black dresses.

1. Long Formal, but no beads or detail.

2. Short cocktail dress with detail, such as lace, silk, or beading.

3. Matte Jersey dress in long sleeve and sleeveless, plain.

4. Fall dress in a wool or boucle fabric.

5. Summer dress in a cotton, seersucker or linen fabric.

Then you you would be set for anything, but for your first one invest in a nice black matte jersey. I would suggest to get a dress in a v-neck, with an a-line fit. Basically the exact thing that SFClinevandy posted but maybe in a different fabric. For my other suggestions, SFClinevandy posted perfect ones.

-- Edited by Chic at 12:50, 2005-01-20

bostongal · BCBG

I love the D&G and David Meister ones. They are gorgeous and will never go out of style. And not a bad price either!

Prissy · Dooney & Bourke

I vote for the D&G

graceful_stars · BCBG

I love this Theory dress. But I also like the one from Banana and both DVF dresses.

rlutz · Chanel

I love that Theory dress....that Banana dress is really cute

doveanunu · Dooney & Bourke

i like the nicole miller dress.

blubirde · Chanel

I love, love, love the D&G dresses but they are really for a specific body shape. If you have it, I'd go with those - they're so beautiful and simple but very sexy, too. They can be dressed up or down. I agree with what everyone else has said though. A matte jersey wrap dress is really a great buy. I've bought a couple from BCBG and they've kept me going year in and year out. They never fail when I'm in a pinch. And the beauty of a wrap dress is that if you lose a little weight or gain a little (gulp!), they still work without looking ill-fitting.

Let us know what you choose!