The Eagle Has Landed
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| Mother of the LBD |
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect Little Black Dress. You’d think something so basic, considered such a wardrobe essential would be easy to find, available in a multitude of iterations. Mais non. The One LBD To Rule Them All, the one with sleeves, a hem that hits at the knee, an easy-but-flattering fit, travel-friendly fabric and that petit chose “extra” continued to elude me.
So I gave up. I figured I’d lived this long without finding The LBD that it must be overrated. I could make do with a black pencil skirt and top.
Then, as these things tend to happen, when I wasn’t looking My LBD found me. I’d stopped by the local Eileen Fisher B&M store to look at a sweater I’d seen online, and while flipping through the racks the lantern hem of this dress grabbed my attention. I tried it on, and am smitten. It’s simple enough to dress up or down, the fabric is a lovely drape-y jersey, and quite honestly it’s a little bit weird and quirky with that hem, but that’s what I really love about it.
Somehow, I think Mademoiselle would approve.
Pictures next week, once I’ve taught myself how to use the new camera. 😉
(Thanks to Susan in comments who had the link to the LBD version of this dress…have updated picture and link.)
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O Sue, this is so perfect for you. Classic yet with a quirky structure, just enough edge to be interesting, not so much as to distract. And you’ve got the perfect boots for it already. Can’t wait to see the photos.
Congratulations! From someone who has been on the hunt for an LBD for a lifetime, I know this is a big deal. Can’t wait to see it on you. It’s very chic!
I LOVE it 11/10 when the Fashion or Knitwear Eagle lands!!! HOORAY x
The one above looks so very French.
I’ll only wear an LBD if it doesn’t have sleeves, I can’t cope with all the black otherwise.
The one above looks so very French.
I’ll only wear an LBD if it doesn’t have sleeves, I can’t cope with all the black otherwise.
I’ve had this same dress for several months now and call it my “go everywhere” dress. I love it. I do have it dry cleaned instead of machine washing it because I want to preserve it. If you look online, Eileen Fisher makes this dress in two slightly different versions–having to do with the hemline.
Here’s a link to Eileen Fisher other similar dress. Slightly different hem:
http://www.eileenfisher.com/EileenFisher/Shop_By_Item/ShopByCategory/Dresses/PRD_F1VF-D1720M/Lantern+Dress+in+Viscose+Jersey.jsp?bmLocale=en_US
Oh, perfect! The LBD is sp leasing and useful for me and I hope for you too. I too found one last weekend, more or less like yours, from a local designer.
Oops, too early in am. That is, “so pleasing”.
Fantastic! I, too, have been on the hunt for years. Mine includes all your criteria plus it must have pockets. The hunt continues.
Ooh La La!
What a fortuitous find!
I see many happy occasions wearing this LBD.
Just as an aside, when I give up on something like the search for the “perfect” somehow the universe offers it up !
Looking forward to the photos.
I agree. This is just perfect for you. I am expecting all kinds of scarf genius:).
Sounds like love at first sight. The best. I found mine a couple of yrs ago. A Nicole Farhi. It’s divine. I have just had the shoulders slightly altered to bring it up to date.
Can’t wait to see you in this interesting and unique dress. I’m sure that you will make it shine!
Love the dress. It’s on the casual side but can be styled in about a million ways.
The hem of the skirt really adds the punch. I love these little details.
Very nice! I admit, being teeny tiny (but busty), most dresses of any sort don’t work. I also do the pencil skirt and fitted top approach to the LBD – always classic when you add the perfect pearls… or a gorgeous, simple accessory.
And naturally – hot shoes!
Oh, I love it! And I LOVE that photo of Coco.
Back in the eighties I had the perfect LBD: Long-sleeved, merino wool, boatneck, fell about mid-calf when unbelted. I remember daringly wearing it with a strand of long faux pearls and tall black pumps instead of a suit on a job interview with a very high-profile, Old Money arts organization. I got the job, and the boss told me months later the dress sure didn’t hurt!
Can’t wait to see you in the new Eileen Fisher. How do you think it would look on someone busty?
Cant wait to see the pics and what did you get for a camera? I’ve got a few in mind…
My LBD would be another color–so ACLD????lol
Love it and I can’t wait to see pics of you wearing it!
Oooh, it comes in blue, too, @fashionoverfifty!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/eileen-fisher-jersey-lantern-dress/3221731?origin=category&resultback=1568
Very nice, and I like the charcoal version too.
It is a beautiful dress, perfect for you. I am looking forward to photos and agree with LPC you’ll very likely amaze us with a scarf accent.
@materfamilias Actually, I have two pair of boots that I’m picturing with this dress…the Fluevog Giulias and my Paris booties! Glad you like it.
@adrienne Thank you! I was so thrilled to find it.
@Veuve Pockets, yes, those really are the Holy Grail.
@Faux Fuchsia Me too, thank you!
@Chicatanyage Oh it’s wonderful to find a great piece with staying power. I’m hoping this dress will transcend trends.
@Bourbon&Pearls“so very French” is exactly what I was going for! Thank you.
@coffeeaddict “On the casual side” actually works better here. I’ll get much more wear from this than something more formal. I love the little details too.
@Susan I’m so glad to hear that it’s as versatile as I’d hoped! And thanks for the link, don’t know why I couldn’t find it before.
@Duchesse Thank you! You must have some wonderful local designers there.
@Couture Allure Vintage Fashion Thank you! I have to get a memory card and tripod, then I’ll start playing.
@kathy peck Thank you! I do like that charcoal version too.
@hostess of the humble bungalow Thank you! I think this dress will be perfect for many occasions. And it’s true, sometimes we have to just let the universe provide in its own time.
@LPC Thank you! Yes, I think this one will play nicely with scarves…
@The Style Crone Thank you so much!
@Susan Tiner Thanks, Susan! I love that the top and neckline are so simple they are perfect for scarves or jewelry.
@BigLittleWolf Thanks! I’m actually rather busty too, and this one works, due to the nice drape of the fabric. Yes, I have plans for some pearls with this.
@metscan Thank you!
@Lee Rosenthall Lee, your interview ensemble sounds like it was just the ticket. Good instincts! I’m very busty and I think this dress works well with curves.
@fashionoverfifty I’m trying a Samsung MV800. Still a point-and-click, but the view screen flips around so you can see what you’re shooting when using the timer. It had good reviews.
@Debbi@SheAccessorizesWell Thank you, I already have a few ensembles planned in my head for this one. Will play this weekend.
And you’re welcome on the other. I couldn’t NOT respond. It was a horrible comment, and people like that give NYer’s a bad name.
Simply great!
It looks like the perfect LBD for you. Elegant and easily styled for different occasions. I can hardly wait to see it on you.
Thank you for the comment you left for the anonymous New Yorker who commented on my blog. You said it so well that I think no other comment I could leave would be as good as yours.
Congratulations! I look forward to seeing the photos! (And I, too, am sans LBD. Good for you for making the leap!)
The dress has super reviews on Nordie’s site also.
I echo everyone’s comments. Can’t wait to see our LBD on you! @Susan: How great to hear that you’ve made it your “go everywhere” dress. The Stretch Jersey Knit really makes this dress so easy yet chic for just about any occasion.
I bought the same dress in charcoal last week– and have worn it constantly. Its flattering, interesting and comfortable. I’ve worn it with ballet flats, leggings, booties and knee high boots. And it looks wonderful with all types of scarves. I’m getting another one in black. FYI the petite size is above the knee while the standard size is more mid calf. It reminds me of what dresses used to be– easy and attractive to wear for all occasions.
I too have been searching for years to no avail. You give me hope!
Tres belle!
I have a very similar, older dress from Express–except the sleeves are all the way to the wrist and it’s ankle length. Somehow that extra fabric makes it look like a witch costume, not a chic dress–quite the opposite of this one!
I can picture this dress being very striking with a metallic or even metal chain belt and matching jewelry.
I had the perfect LBD about 15 yrs ago. I bought it at Nordstroms. It was a black sheath, sleevless, jewel neck, with a black chiffon sheath over the crepe sheath. It was beautifully made, fit nicely and I wore it for so many occasions. I was a size 6 at the time and I outgrew it, unfortunately. I still miss it.