THE little black dress was created by Coco Chanel and it’s never been away.

No matter what is said to be the next ‘black’, you know it won’t last — because black is black and the little black dress was meant to be black, and no other colour will do.

What Coco Chanel started, other designers followed.

We have the style icons to show us how to wear it, with Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe showing us how to rock the LBD, elegant and sexy with minimal effort.

From Rive Gauche/YSL to Givenchy, the little black dress was and still is the epitome of style and class.

You can buy a brand new LBD anywhere these days, body con is very now, but there is no better black dress than vintage.

How about a beautifully tailored dress from the 1940s? What would you give for an identical Givenchy number like Audrey Hepburn perhaps, worn for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, or a strappy 1970’s dress, or an 80’s Frank Usher with fluted panels?

When you shop vintage you can simply choose a favourite decade and pick your LBD. I know, it’s enough to make your spine tingle.

Surprisingly, not all vintage black dresses are expensive either. You can easily find one for less than £50 if you do your homework.

Dress it up or down with accessories, a pair of gorgeous shoes, vintage or new, followed by a simple clutch or a small leather purse.

Jet earrings, big 80’s clip ons or simple gold studs; wear your LBD in whichever way you want.

The original LBD worn by Audrey Hepburn in the opening scenes of Breakfast at Tiffany’s and designed by Hubert de Givenchy was sold in 2006 for a staggering £467,200 at Christie’s auction house.

It was one of three made for her as the Manhattan socialite Holly Golightly in the 1961 film based on the book by Truman Capote.

If your budget won’t quite stretch that far then come and see me at My Vintage in Darwen. You can find the perfect LBD from our original vintage rails spanning the 1930s to the 1980s, or opt for one of the gorgeous brand new retro pieces.

Most of all enjoy it. Vintage is about equality, it’s universal and it’s for everyone. It’s about the love and appreciation of fashion from bygone eras and styles that left their stamp on each decade. The LBD made her own contribution and long may she reign.