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    The History of the Little Black Dress

    By Connie Wang, Designed by Naomi Abel, Refinery29
    The little black dress has a much more storied past than just the time spent as your go-to party piece. In fact, LBDs have a place in some pretty major moments in history, dating back over 5,000 years - from a garment reserved only for evil to an item that represented empowerment and enfranchisement.

    Take a moment to relive its heritage, ahead - then, revel in a throwback that is both trendy and timeless.


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    1. Photo by: Naomi Abel, R29
      1500s - Sumptuary laws during Elizabethan Europe (laws restricting displays of extravagance) made black not only one of the most popular hues around, but also helped modernize textile technology. It became popular for the wealthy to wear richly dyed black dresses.
      Photo by: Naomi Abel, R29
      1500s - Sumptuary laws during Elizabethan Europe (laws restricting displays of extravagance) made black not only one of the most popular hues around, but also helped modernize textile technology. It became popular for the wealthy to wear richly dyed black dresses.

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