It may be an icon cherished by women across the nation but the average little black dress is destined to be worn only twice.
New national research has revealed that while women spend five whole shopping days searching for the perfect black party dress they will wear it the sum total of twice.
The UK study by laundry specialists Dr. Beckmann reveals that 80% of all UK women own a little black dress and of the 20% who don’t, eight per cent are busy still searching for their perfect LBD.
Yet while it’s clear that British women’s wardrobes aren’t complete without one, the little black dress is likely to be worn out on just two social occasions in its lifetime, according to the study.
Instead, it is saved for those really ‘special’ occasions that rarely ever happen and is destined to remain preserved in a dust jacket just in case it is needed.
Most British women (68%) buy their first little black dress when they are aged between 18-24 and hold on to it for an average of 11 years (57%). They are likely, however, to buy another LBD when they reach 30-years-old as style and changing body shape determines that their initial LBD is no longer such a perfect fit.
The most cited reason why women don’t wear their LBD very often (45%) is that women are scared of the people in their social circle seeing them in the same outfit more than once.
But they are also worried that ‘special feeling’ they get when wearing it will wear off if it is given too many outings (19%).
An astonishing 91% of all little black dresses are never washed or dry-cleaned, according to the national poll.
Eight out of 10 women claim a girl’s wardrobe is incomplete without a LBD and a further 44% of Brit girls admit while they spend an average £125 on the dress itself that figure can be tripled when taking into account the cost of matching shoes and handbag.
Dr. Beckmann spokesperson Susan Fermor said: “The little black dress is a well-established fashion icon. Yet most are worn just a couple of times and remain unwashed and unused in the back of Britain’s wardrobes.
“For many women just owning a little black dress and knowing it is there to be called upon if it is required is enough to justify the expense.”
