little black dress

plural little black dresses

1. businessA simply cut and often quite short evening or cocktail dress.

   When dressing up for a night out, let's not forget the sex appeal, allure, and slenderizing effect of ultrasheer black hosiery under that little black dress.

   2012, Rebecca Apsan, Lessons in Lingerie: Finding Your Perfect Shade of Seduction

   Synonyms: LBD

2. figurativelySomething simple, versatile, and elegant; something that pairs well with many other things.

   The F-bomb is the little black dress of vulgarity. Noun, verb, participle, verbal noun — it goes with everything.

   2013 April 24, Alexandra Petri, “The peculiar brilliance of that sorority e-mail”, in The Washington Post

   2 more examples

   Who, excepting fictional fanged creatures of the night, doesn't love a bit of garlic? It goes in anything and is like the little black dress of the food world.

   2014 August 28, Sarah Hazelwood, “5 of the Best…Fruits and Vegetables to grow this August”, in Buzz, page 27

   While Phelps might have been the headliner, Ledecky became the little black dress of American swimming; unpretentious, regal and ridiculously versatile.

   2014 August 10, Karen Crouse, “After Tuneup for Trials, American Swimmers Evaluate Potential”, in The New York Times

   Synonyms: LBD

3. slanglifestyleA character who is shipped with many other characters.

   I've seen Snape/Loki. Little Black Dresses, both of them. They'll go with anybody.

   2018 September 23, Marion Beet (@Knitronomicon), Twitter

   2 more examples

   Sansa is SUCH a good little black dress. I honestly would read almost any character in GOT with her.

   2021 March 24, acequeenking (@acequeenkingpin), Twitter

   Brienne is my little black dress of GOT/ASOIAF. I am happy to read fic with her shipped with many many many characters.

   2021 September 24, captainellie (@captainecomb), Twitter

   Synonyms: fandom bicycle