Not the LBD again!

Very disappointed to read in the Melbourne Age recently that the Little Black Dress is being revived, 80 years after it was first designed by Coco Chanel for Vogue magazine in 1926. Myer fashion director Bob Boutin is quoted as saying that after three seasons on fashion's fringe, black was back, and winter would bring a lot of black and grey with a bit of beige and plum. Wow I can hardly wait! Hmmm, I wonder if there's a demonstrable link between prevailing fashion colours, the state of the economy, and our moods? Does the predominance of black reflect a more sombre conformist mindset, or an economic downturn, or does it actually contribute to occasional feelings of gloom? Perhaps not for nothing is depression commonly referred to as the black dog.

The popularity of the LBD is probably also a reflection of our continuing obsession with slimness and the need to disguise those extra kilos that are creeping on by way of cafe lattes and other treats. OK, I confess to having owned a few LBD's in my time, and yes I still wear black trousers and skirts occasionally, but I'm trying to break the habit, really. If only the forecast black and grey would come in the form of storm clouds filled with lots of rain for our parched and drought-ravaged land.