The Little Black Dress

According to the fashion world, every woman should have 'a little black' dress. I don't actually agree with that statement as black does nothing for me or many of the women that actually wear it! But the little black dress is the subject of a display at the Missouri History Museum in St. Louis (ends September 5).

The display features over 60 dresses from the museums extensive textile collection and shows how wearing black went from mourning to night.

Prior to the early twentieth century, wearing black was reserved for mourning and the strict rules that entailed.

Full Mourning- A widow would wear a dull black dress for one year and one day

A crepe two piece full mourning circa 1904

Second Morning-Some non-black was allowed, but it was primarily dull and dark.This period lasted 9 months.

Half Mourning- Colour could be added, such as grey, mauve or lavender. This period lasted 6 months

Two piece silk taffeta lilac dress circa 1882

The exhibit follows the black dress from its start as mourning and goes onto the black evening wear we are more familiar with. It even has a section showing sewing tools and a sewing machine.

Well worth a visit if you are in the area and admission is free.