"And if a woman couldn't afford a new mourning gown she would die" Me: jesus, that's extreme "...or alter an existing one" Ah, gotcha.

I’m going to come from a very biased placed place but let’s share a moment for Lady’s Diana’s Revenge Dress. It was absolutely fabulous!

Speaking of Lady Diana's revenge dress: I'd love to see a video going into iconic revenge outfits, either from movies or real life.

I just love how versatile they are! Although almost every woman has one, they are styled so differently every time!

when you said "every woman have the little black dress" i immediately thought, no i don't, then remembered i literally have 2 right now in my closet, it's definitely an essential when you love fashion

the way black dress escalated from powerful royalty symbol to being associated with poor lower-class is honestly kind of funny

Modern fashion history is a kind of therapy idc.

the way i’m wearing an all black and white outfit right now… it was meant to be

I’m surprised I didn’t see Victoria Beckham! That was like her entire wardrobe in the 90s

I started this video wondering if you would mention Spanish court attire, and you did! Such a complete and well researched video. Loved it!

Holly golightly/ Audrey Hepburn’s black dress in breakfast at Tiffany’s will forever be the ultimate black dress to me!! Especially since a lot of brands today still recreate its silhouette

y'know i never really clocked that i have a little black dress myself, but it really has just cemented itself as an essential of mine without me even realising it. i love the versatility of it! it's so easy to wear and layer :)

Wow thumbnails are effective, I said "eh, I will watch it later" when it had Bella but now that it's Zendaya I clicked immediately 💀 Her Doc Ock inspired look at the Ballon d'Or last year and her last red carpet custom Valentino dress for the Emmys are to die for. She has worn many iconic black dresses over the years and her and Law kill it every time.

It''s so fun hearing about the history and details behind these outfits. Side note: I'd love for you to review the costumes for Cinderella (2015) and The Other Boleyn Girl (2008).

i love these types of history of videos! i’d like to add to the late 19th century section a bit - you see a lot of black taffeta ensembles absolutely encrusted with black jet beads in the 1880s and i know of a Worth gown in black taffeta and lace from about 1891, as well as a black velvet evening gown from 1907 that also has some beadwork. neither where used for mourning so i like to think we always knew black dresses were lovely :) anyway just thought i’d say

I know it's a ton of work to make these videos but could you publish a list of the movies you use in them? I always see clips that look interesting but I have no idea where they're from

It's funny hearing that black supposedly isn't for mourning anymore 'cause that association still seems very much alive lol My mum has told me a few times that I'm "too young to be wearing all black" (for casual wear, not formal wear) and that it looks like I'm in mourning... and both my grandmothers only wear/wore black ever since their husbands died Personally I default to black clothes and accessories since they're easy to colour-coordinate, but there's definitely still an association with death/mourning or particular subcultures. I suppose it really depends on the exact type of clothing

It would be wonderful if you did a style evolution on goth fashion. I'm soft goth but a passionate one. And fashion history really fascinates me. My whole wardrobe is black with splashes of colors like purple and dark red, and ir makes me wonder why people always say it's so "dark and different"... only because I'm the only goth in my friend group. So I'd love to know more about it, and your videos are always amazing

7:50 I’m so happy to see ‘Downton Abbey’ be mentioned. Dame Queen Maggie Smith in her Victorian Era Outfits 🤩

Can you please do a BIG video on once upon a times costumes and outfits? I beg you. 😩

your essays is such an inspiration, it's straight to the point, good themes and you don't need to show your face to keep us interested. I'm about to start my own channel and i hate to be in front of camera, so I'm glad to know there's no problem with it

I remember the first occasion that I wore my little black dress at was during a family member's funeral. It was a sad day but I got a lot of compliments ! I haven't had any other occasion to wear it but I'm hoping its one involving my current crush lol

Ok but sis lookin so cute and chic in the sponsor section like pop off queen💅😭

This is awesome! Would love to see a throwback video of 'the best black dresses in film' like what you did for the other colors!!

stop you looked so cute in the ad

Hey moderngurls. Will you ever do a style study on princess Diana? Love your channel.

Black was a status color in the Renaissance era, when it was difficult and expensive to achieve a true-black textile dye, unlike today. I read a fascinating book about the wardrobe of Elizabeth 1 of England, she wore mostly black or white, with some red or gold, gowns.

I love love LOVE that you included the clip of Prue from the OG Charmed, her fashion was always my fave of the three sisters and her black dresses always gave her air of power and beauty

Anna Karenina (Russian aristocracy) films deserves to be on this list. Especially the 90s one, and the ballroom dance dress. Sophie looked very radiant and dream like in that scene 😍 Maddie's (euphoria season 2) new year party lbd also deserves a mention, that look was 🔥

Omg she’s finally making fashion videos again 😭 slayyyy

Get home from work, open the computer, notification pops : perfect ! :)

After so many days, I’m back to watching a great video just in time. Also, you look fabulous, Tessa! 👏🏽

that ad transition was absolutely fantastic 👏🏻 👌🏻 also, i love these videos on the history of various fashion ensembles. They're really cool! :)

love this video and esp loooved the different movies you used to illustrate the different eras ! i was almost surprised to see a clip of one of my fav french comedy “the tall blonde man with one black shoe” ! i’m glad at how versatile you were

This took a tremendous amount of research and work, thank you ma’am, this was a great watch! ❤

I got 2 in my closet now and this video inspired me to get more black dresses. Thank you Tessa💖✨🔥😘

fun fact! nuns and monks are wearing black bc traditionally it was made out of undyed black wool of black sheep that was very cheap bc you couldn't dye it any other color, tho it was more of a brown black disthinguishing it from a dyed black expensive garment!

Anyone else notice the thumbnail change? I feel like such an insider 💅💅😂

The pearls and the little black dress , omg stunning!!!!

Your videos always fascinate me and bring out my love for fashion!!

Can you please do a style analysis on The Serpent Queen? My husband and I like this show so far.

I lovveeeeee the fashion history in this channel

Insanely well made and researched video, thank you!

I've had the same cotton poly blend lbd with a high neckline, mid back plunge, cinched waist and subtle peplum for almost a decade and I hope I have it a decade longer! Long live the lbd 🖤

Always so well researched. Love learning about fashion history. Thank you :)

Loved this video! I just found your channel and it’s so interesting. About to go watch some more of your videos

just bought a new black dress yesterday!!! perfect timing

I love a little black dress. It just doesn’t get old😍

you should do the outfits in heartbreak high

LOVED THE VIDEO!

absolutely love this video

Love your videos!

I have several black dresses in my wardrobe, it really just is a staple piece ❤

Admittedly all I wear is black so I have more than a few LBDs. They’re just so versatile, and with different cuts and materials, they can work for any season! Though I would like to point out that black was used in fashionable clothing during the Victorian era, at least the latter half certainly, there are many examples of black clothing that isn’t mourning attire, I actually own a few.

I have an LBD I haven't worn in years, but it is hands down the most elegant thing I own

Omg seems like I am pretty early , have been waiting for you to upload

Interestingly black for men’s suiting came *much* later than the LBD. Up until VERY recently black suits were only worn by chauffeurs and waitstaff. My grandfather only had one black suit, and it was only worn to funerals, and was surprised my husband only had a black one. For “gentleman” black was reserved for tuxedos. That’s why the Royal family wore dark colored suits and black ties for their mourning wear when the Queen died, and not black suits.

Love Thirdlove!!!!

Can you please cover/break down the fashion of the Nanny please please please

The OUTRAGE when Keri Russell cut her hair in the second season of Felicity actually lead to declining ratings because the public loved her curly hair so much which is absolutely crazy to me.

In Tudor England, no one looked as cool as Anne Boleyn did with the black outfit and her French Hood.

Yay! This is such a STAPLE!

Hi Tessa,could you do a Ziegfeld girl video?the costumes in this movie are amazing and it’s so hard to find content about!

i waited for this

Love You vids keep it up

I remember most brides were married in black because since most common folk only had one formal dress that often doubled as a funeral dress. Also because funerals were more common back then compared to today. It was only when Queen Victoria (I think) married in white, did people start clamoring for white wedding dresses

I’m 34 but I remember being 8 years old, my step dad was making a Valentine’s Day dinner for my mom. I told my mom to get her little black dress, he might pop the question. My mom laughed and she still doesn’t know where I got that from… this was 1996 mind you, the little black dress is iconic.

Just a note on Third Love: I have somewhat narrow shoulders and a naturally fuller bust. I tried a variety of sizes and styles in this brand, but the straps are set very far apart, not a good choice for those of us with narrow shoulders. The straps can be attached at several places, but all are just set too wide. The straps always cut across my armpits, not very comfortable.

Could you please do the Fran Fine fashion and looks? Same with Coyote Ugly?

I clicked SO fast! Love me an LBD 🖤🖤

Plss consider Practical Magic for an upcoming video 🙏🙏 it's the season, and I just rewatched it and the looks and ladies are 😍😍

Very interesting! I do have a black dress in my closet, but I actually purely wear it to funerals. I personally need some more colour in my life (and face, as black looks drab on me).

OMG I saw a Prue from Charmed clip in there PLEASE tell me a Charmed (og series) style vid is coming. Their 90s/2000s looks are iconic

Hell yes, fashion icon Alexa Chung at 14:17

Hopefully you can make a video on the fictional Marylin movie Blonde. Because I just saw it and it’s…… problematic. I would love to hear your reaction.

When you’re discussing 1714, I believe you’re meaning ~1814 Regency/Napoleonic fashions? The Georgian Era in England began in 1714, but it was very similar to French fashion at the time. French style dominated from Louis XIV until Louis XVI. It wasn’t until the very late 1700s/early 1800s that the style shown emerged (it emerged prior to 1814, but that was a nice number to compare to 1714).

I was surprised not to see Mme. Virginie Gautreau (the infamous Madame X) in the 19th century section, but other than that, wonderful video! Mme. Gautreau's other portraits, one notes, were always striking (given that she stuck to either all black or all white). If memory serves, the Marchesa di Casati was another well-known society figure who made striking use of black. My favorite anecdote of a woman using black outside of the mourning context comes from Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch. I'm not sure if this was the late Victorian or early Edwardian era, but Quiller-Couch was at a grand ball standing next to a young naval cadet who was too shy to introduce himself to anybody. The men were all in typical evening dress, the matrons ditto, the debutantes ditto. The debutantes--and this will be important in a moment--were all clad in the usual white or pastels with pearls around their necks. In came a striking dark beauty whose first ball this was; instead of pearls she wore only a diamond crescent in her hair. No white or pastels for her, but instead a black gown. The men flocked to meet her. Over their heads this young woman spotted the shy young cadet in the corner. She freed herself from her admirers, laughed, and headed straight for the cadet to ask him to dance. They danced. The cadet came back afterwards, cheeks flushed, stars in his eyes. I've no doubt our young cadet remembered that moment for the rest of his life. I own at present one vintage black dress from the early 1960s and a black-and-white slip dress. Probably my favorite black dress that I've ever worn was a slinky bias cut number that never failed to open doors for me. I am eyeballing a 1940s style dress with diagonal draping and strong shoulders. So.

i don't really have a black dress, i find them high maintenance with my cat lol

My little black dress was my mother's. It must be at least 30 years old, which makes me think about the quality of the fabrics the clothes were made, because it's older than me

i KNEW fran fine's lbd would feature somewhere in this video

Me wearing all black rn 🤣 But yes I love black dresses, they're so versatile.

I'd be interested in reviewing the fashion for the game, "Bayonetta," I know it's very different to your celebrities, movie, and shows but it would still be cool

i don't have LBD , and i am a fashion design student! i guess it's time to make my own then

all my dresses are black and then red or both 🖤🥀

i appreciate that rose isin there at the end cause i feel like thats the only thing in her closet lmao

Please review the new Winx club season! It's so much better!

0:33 I need that dress XD

My favorite LBD of all time is Elizabeth Hurley’s Versace safety pin dress. That dress alone made me want to become a designer 😁🔥✨

I have a hard time seeing every black dress as a fashion statement because many women resort to wearing black because they're afraid or don't know how to wear colors. The black dress is so "safe" that some people don't explore beyond it.

OMG you've seen The Mirror Has Two Faces❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

the only time I wore a LBD, I got in big trouble. so I have not worn one since. :D

Love to see HBO's Rome in here

rip third love's 30 band, i went to restock a few months ago and could not find my size anymore :(

"...And if a woman couldn't afford a mourning gown she would DIE". IKR English not my first language but this quote made me almost choke on teaxD

No one ever made more of a parade out of her mourning than Queen Victoria. Even decades after her husband’s death, she never let anyone forget for a second about her loss. When I read Victorian-era literature, there is always someone stressing about the exact shade of mourning they should wear, depending on their relationship to the deceased, how much time has passed, etc.

Coco Chanel really took unliked things (tweed, color black) and made them elite.

please please please make a video on princess dianas fashion iconography

Get that coin💸💸💸But really it's exciting to hear about the history behind such a seemingly ubiquitous item of clothing.

What made you change the thumbnail

8:07 OMG just saw this scene from ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ earlier in the day. I mean, what are the odds?