Flapper ensembles are instantly recognizable as the look of the '20s, and it's easy to see why: With their relaxed drop waists, ornately beaded designs, and feathered accessories, the trends of the era have enduring appeal. The most influential style, however, may have been a subtler one. According to The Dictionary of Fashion History, it was in this decade that Coco Chanel introduced the little black dress: "It offered simplicity and elegance, and instead of being a color associated with servants or widows, black became chic."
