Skip to Main Content
 

Global Search Box

 
 
 
 

Files

File List


3480.pdf (713.92 KB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

The Little Black Dress: The Essence of Femininity

Provo, Leah M
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367943615

Abstract Details

2013, MDES, University of Cincinnati, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning: Design.
The fashion industry has long been criticized for its lack on consideration for sustainable product. When asked what garments have elevated as staples within your closet, what do you think of? White t-shirt? Jeans? A tailored suit jacket? For women, across the board, the number one garment necessary within their wardrobe will always and forever be The Little Black Dress, 8 out of 10 women claim it incomplete with out it (Mcloughlin, 2012) spending on average anywhere from 20 to 2,000 dollars on it. Why is this? Vogue made it the "Number One Rule," in the 20's, but why exactly has this garment stood the test of time? The Little Black Dress or LBD has been an essential garment in a woman's wardrobe since the 1800's. This thesis will explore the psychological and socio-cultural reasons why this item of clothing has become the essence of femininity. To appreciate the enduring influence of the little black dress, we must first be aware of where it came from. To be thorough, it is necessary to begin with research on the history of the color black, the significance of a dress, and the history of the LBD. From this research we will gain a deeper understanding of why this color has become a provocative hue that has adorned women for many ages. Finally, I will apply Lamb and Kallal's FEA consumer needs model and use expert opinions and research to create a linear chronology of the stylistic and symbolic progression of the Little Black Dress. Lastly, I will illustrate how and why this garment has stood the test of time.
Phyllis Borcherding, M.S. (Committee Chair)
Suszanne Hawthorne Clay, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Margaret Voelker-Ferrier, M.A. (Committee Member)
57 p.
Design
Fashion; Little Black Dress; Apparel; DAAP; Design; Women;

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Provo, L. M. (2013). The Little Black Dress: The Essence of Femininity [Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367943615

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Provo, Leah. The Little Black Dress: The Essence of Femininity. 2013. University of Cincinnati, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367943615.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Provo, Leah. "The Little Black Dress: The Essence of Femininity." Master's thesis, University of Cincinnati, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1367943615

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1367943615
7,337
© 2013, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.