Prada Plunging Back Black Wool Mod Little Black Dress

This little black dress does more work than the average little black dress. Since the 1990s, Prada has provided ongoing instruction on how to combine femininity, grittiness, and glamour into something uniquely fashionable. This sleeveless black dress evokes the mod dress of the 1960s, with a crisp silhouette that flares slightly to a thigh-length skirt. Despite the apparent rigidity of the style lines, the black wool crepe that it is constructed from hangs with pliant drape.

Armholes are generously cut with a flattish base, forming a sharp curve as it meets the side bodice. The high bateau neckline drops unexpectedly at the back, plunging down provocatively to just above the waistline. The dress is lined with black silk, which helps it to slip on smoothly. A side zip provides additional ease of entry and fit.

Begun in 1913 as a leather goods shop, Muiccia Prada has taken this Milanese shop from regional success in the 1980s to a global phenomenon. Prada was the subject of a 2012 exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art titled Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations. Curators Andrew Bolton and Harold Koda compared her influence to the visionary work of Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

Size estimate: M

Size: 40

Measurements:

Bust: 34 inches

Waist: 30 inches

Hips: 37

Length: 36 inches

This dress by Prada is in excellent condition. Made from black wool crepe, this sheath falls with slight flare to a thigh-length hem. A bateau neckline transitions into wide straps at the back, where the neckline plunges down to almost waist level. Armholes are generous and cut with a flattish base that curve up sharply to meet the sides.

The dress is lined in black silk and fitted with a side zip. Professionally cleaned and pressed. High-quality vintage pieces like this are yours to live in and love while increasing in value every year. It’s never too soon to start collecting them, as an investment in your wardrobe—and in yourself.