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Bestselling, Editor-Approved LBDs for Fall
Fall dressing for special events (or special evenings out) can be challenging when you live in a place that still reaches 80-degree temperatures this time of year — but not for Margaret Qualley and Hailey Bieber, who, just three weeks apart, turned heads in respective “little nothing” dresses that proved the all-seasons versatility of this breathable wardrobe staple and how essential it is for achieving a timeless, classy look.
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On her part, Qualley thrust the LBD into the spotlight by wearing a custom Chanel one to a recent New York screening of her film “Honey Don’t!” It’s safe to say that when it comes to her outfit choice for the evening, we were left saying honey do, as the pitch-black number managed to nail the tricky equilibrium between sexiness and sophistication. Its low-cut neckline, spaghetti straps, and curve-wrapping fabric were only amplified by the dress’ delicate beading, which extended the beaded bag trend of the season from the world of accessories to the fashion realm.
The starlet also played off the item’s intentionally pared-back nature by matching it to statement-making diamond studs (that never overpowered her natural beauty) and minimalist, strappy sandals in black. The LBD’s micro hemline contributed to Qualley’s leggy look, and she also managed to draw attention to her facial angles by keeping her hair in a flyaway-free, slicked-back bun, having a hint of hue on her lips, and going with an overall dewy-skinned appearance that emphasized the brows.
As for Bieber’s lacy Saint Laurent slip dress, worn to celebrate the release of her husband’s new album, it was undoubtedly more ornate than Qualley’s but worked with the same purpose in mind: that of maximizing the glam with a one-and-done piece. In Bieber’s case, her little nothing dress featured a plunging neckline, lingerie-inspired lace details, and a looser fit around the waist. Bieber masterfully paired it with dark shades, buckle-clad mule sandals, and a black Saint Laurent handbag that infused extra texture into the mix. Though the Rhode founder kept her makeup minimal (slightly blushed-up cheeks and a pinkish lip), the overall effect was that of instant put-togetherness.
The little black dress is one of those fashion creations whose sheer simplicity helps it stay relevant and coveted across generations. It can be credited to none other than Coco Chanel, who debuted the original design in Vogue circa 1926. Though Chanel’s first take was long-sleeved, knee-length, and much more conservative than what was seen on Qualley and Bieber recently, it absolutely changed the fashion landscape and was compared in affordability, accessibility, and practicality to a Ford Model T car.
Throughout the decades, the LBD received fortuitous placements on icons like Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” Princess Diana (two words: revenge dress), Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, Jane Birkin (she put a markedly boho-coded spin on it), and Kate Moss. While earlier iterations were mostly formal, usually signaled by a maxi hemline or covered arms, the ’90s is when the minimalist LBD style really took off.
Red carpets at that time were flooded with Hollywood elite who gave the little nothing dress their whole-hearted seal of approval, like Cindy Crawford curating what’s now considered one of the most generation-defying LBD moments in red carpet history: through her form-fitting bandage dress worn in conjunction with fur-trimmed gloves. With ’90s looks trending in fashion, interiors, beauty, and beyond right now, it’s really no wonder that the era’s most pivotal little black dress styles are coming back with a vengeance and being spotted on our favorite celebrities of the day.
Like most core wardrobe staples and accessories, from capri pants to sunglasses, the LBD has witnessed quite the evolution throughout the years, shapeshifting when it came to finishes (like glitter and sequins during the disco decade), hemline lengths, and fabrics (changing from Chanel’s crepe de chine to present-day versions outfitted in silk, linen, or Skims’ own polyamide and elastane concoction for added compression and moisture-wicking capabilities).
The LBD style picked by Qualley and Bieber in particular is inherently lightweight and adaptable in the way it moves with your body — never constricting the torso, despite its second-skin fit. This makes a ’90s-inspired, itty-bitty black dress ideal for elusive Indian-summer weather patterns that come around in the span of time between September and November.
Feeling like all your closet’s missing is a little black dress that won’t have you compensating on chicness to achieve comfort and breathability? You’ve come to the right place, as our shopping editors rounded up nine top options (including those that read more “office” than “lingerie”) for your own revenge-dress moment this fall.
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Shop the Best LBDs for Fall
Natori Enchant Lace Trim Satin Chemise
Chemises as a going-out staple? Not shocking in the least, considering stars like Zoë Kravitz love taking them for a spin on red carpets and lace slips were repped on the fall 2025 runways of labels from Chloé to Fendi. This particular chemise from Natori can work just as well in the bedroom as in a bar or while stepping out for an event with your S.O. (Bieber knows all about this). Its V-neck style will let all your pendant necklaces shine, while that floral lace trimming helps put a coquettish bow on your larger ensemble. Match with the season’s bestselling Western boots for some cowboy-core edge and throw on a leather jacket to stay extra cozy.
Price upon publish date of this article: $170
Gap SecondSkin Slip Dress
There’s a reason Gap’s LBD is called SecondSkin: it’s so lightweight, you might forget you’re wearing something in the first place! The nylon blend offers stretchiness that nonetheless retains the dress’ shape, the scoop neckline is universally flattering, and, though Gap recommends donning it as a base layer, we encourage stepping out in the simple-yet-effective beaut as is during the sweatiest days of September.
Price upon publish date of this article: $29
Commando Zone Smoothing Full Slip
From the brand that regularly dresses A-listers at awards shows in bodysuits, thongs, and slips comes this at-first-glance unassuming LBD, which, upon closer inspection, reveals itself to be worthy of space in every fashion insider’s closet. Besides those raw-cut edges and medium level of compression provided by strategically laid-out panels, it’s crafted out of a luxe microfiber blend that offers a four-way stretch and almost-instant shape recovery. There’s not an elastic band in sight here, and you’ll also be happy to know that your new Commando dress won’t pill, snag, or tear as you enjoy it for seasons on end.
Price upon publish date of this article: $148
Skims Fits Everybody Slip Dress
This dress is one of Skims‘ bestselling products, and it’s really not hard to see why. Dishing out buttery softness and accentuating your curves in all the right places, the Fits Everybody Slip Dress is something that will perform just as well alone — complemented only by heeled thong sandals and your clutch — as it does layered under the kinds of bomber jackets favored by Bella Hadid, once the weather really starts getting colder.
Price upon publish date of this article: $68
Alaïa Form-Fitting Cami Dress
Please give a round of applause for this designer cami dress from Alaïa, whose square neckline, slip-on style, and hem that ends just above the knees fuse openness and breathability with a kind of formality that makes it an easy choice for your next soirée. Just style a striped cardigan overtop for happy hour at the office or accessorize with an ornate shawl for drinks and dinner with your beau.
Price upon publish date of this article: $1,650
Leset Pointelle Square Neck Mini Dress
Not satisfied with simple spaghetti straps? Let this Leset top hit add some visual interest to your LBD-powered getup with its scalloped straps and higher-than-average neckline. The pointelle cotton it’s made of adds an additional touch of romance and feminine allure (not to mention thermoregulation you’ll be grateful for). The only other elements needed here are some Mary Janes and playful, kidcore accessories of your choosing.
Price upon publish date of this article: $120
Posse Alice Linen Mini Dress
Sarah Jessica Parker is no stranger to headline-making LBD looks on red carpets, but her most talked-about is probably the one she wore to the CFDA Fashion Awards in 1994. Featuring wider straps, ample bust coverage, and a silk materiality that she contrasted with sheer tights, the dress somewhat resembled this one from the founded-in-2016, Australia-based fashion label Posse — whose square neck, linen fabrication, and cropped length bestow upon the wearer the perfect combination of sophistication and frivolity. With one of fall’s hottest handbags on your shoulder, it will look especially head-turning (thank us later).
Price upon publish date of this article: $370
Theory Flared Dress in Admiral Crepe
Theory’s Flare Dress is a clear winner for corp-core environments, while also being able to seamlessly convert into a go-to for your five-to-nine schedule with the addition of some jewelry and height-happy pumps. This little black dress appears composed as can be via that bateau neckline, and its Japanese crepe fabric (an ode to the Chanel-made prototype) is wrinkle-resistant by nature. You’ll look polished and prepared in it on any given day: That’s a guarantee.
Price upon publish date of this article: $395
Fleur du Mal Flared Corset Dress
If you feel like Qualley and Bieber’s LBD could’ve been taken to even greater heights through a little flared skirt situation, let us introduce you to this recently back-in-stock corset dress from Fleur du Mal: a brand that makes lingerie worn and loved by the likes of Charli XCX. Promising to take you “from brunch to [the] bar” without an outfit change, it’s a versatile wonder that benefits from a stretchy jacquard material, waist-snatching corset seaming, and a cheekily open back. Like the aforementioned Pointelle Square Neck Mini Dress from Leset, the top-selling pick also has scallop detailing on the straps and hemline. As far as we’re concerned, this plus a pair of trusty ‘lil kitten heels is all that’s needed to get the party started.
Price upon publish date of this article: $395
How to Style Minimalist, ’90s-Inspired LBDs
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, Cosmopolitan, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on celebrity style, as well as trending fashion staples worth readers’ time and money.