The Ultimate Little Black Dresses

Yes, black clothes existed before Coco Chanel. But, for the most part, they were widow's weeds, a sign of a woman in mourning, not one ready to conquer the world. But in 1926, Vogue published a photo of a calf-length black dress that it dubbed "Chanel's Ford," perhaps a reference to Henry Ford's first car-for-the-masses, or a nod to his oft-quoted comment that "any customer can have a car painted in any color that he wants so long as it's black." Either way, Chanel could not have been more right. "For any girl, any woman with little money, it's marvellous to have the possibility of having one dress for the whole season, for the whole year, and be well dressed," Vogue wrote back then. And more than three-quarters of a century later, the little black dress has endured as the uniform of sophisticated women. From Audrey Hepburn's chic sheaths to Elizabeth Hurley's pinned-together Versace, check out some of the most memorable LBDs ever.

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Yes, there was a black dress attached. But it was the giant safety pins that held together Elizabeth Hurley's little black Versace that got all the attention at the 1994 premiere of "Four Weddings and a Funeral." Overnight, a star -- and a style -- was born. (Hugh who?)

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Jennifer Aniston emphasized the "little" in her little black Valentino for the 2008 premiere of "Marley & Me." For a jolt of color, she added a red snakeskin clutch. But, really, with that dress, who needs any more pop?

Lester Cohen, WireImage

Week after week in the '50s and '60s, ultra-glamorous television star Loretta Young wore sweeping gowns designed by Dan Werle of Beverly Hills. For the 2008 Emmy Awards, modern TV star America Ferrera took a vintage Werle -- black, ruched and calf-length -- for a spin.

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Five months after giving birth, most women would use a basic black dress to hide their post-pregnancy flaws. Not Angelina Jolie, who flaunted all of her assets in a strapless black Versace at the New York Film Festival premiere of "Changeling," five months after the arrival of her twins.

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Inarguably, Audrey Hepburn, shown here in 1952, was the embodiment of modern chic. Part of her secret: She knew the power of a good LBD long before she became famous for the black sheath that Hubert de Givenchy designed for 1961's "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

George Karger, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

She would have been breathtaking in any color. But in her black Herve Leger bandage dress, supermodel Cindy Crawford -- shown here at Vogue Magazine's 100th Anniversary party in 1993 -- was enough to leave grown men gasping.

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For her close-up on the Nov. 2008 cover of Allure, Eva Longoria was sweetly demure in a gray turtleneck sweater. But she turned saucy for the cover party, choosing a black one-shoulder Karen Millen dress.

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Even before she was an Oscar winner -- or even a Bond Girl -- Halle Berry knew how to show off her award-winning style. Back in 1992, she wore a full-skirted LBD to the Soap Opera Digest Awards.

Ron Galella, WireImage

The little black dress is a sure-fire way to convey power. Lucy Liu, for one, chose a classic V-neck by Dior for the launch of the 2008 UNICEF and Esquire "Tap Project." But just so you don't forget that Lucy is Lucy, she added strappy shoes, a white clutch, a a charming side-swept bun.