Women in the 1970’s needed something new - a style both simple and sophisticated for an active life. Diane Von Furstenberg to the rescue! In 1973 the fashion designer and former royal socialite introduced the wrap dress. Suddenly a new generation of women had something they could wear to the disco, the office, and almost anywhere in between – like the “little black dress” of the 60’s, but way more sensible.

With its seamless combination of fashion and functionality, the revolutionary “little bourgeois dress” became one of the hottest designs of the decade. Von Furstenberg had meant it to counter the tendency towards unisex-style fashion. She thought women should be able to feel both sexy and comfortable while wearing something chic. Her brilliant solution: a dress that wrapped across the body, the way a robe did, for an instant, stylish, simple, elegant fit.

The wrap suited most body types - you didn’t have to be petite or ultra-thin. In the evening, you could just take off your sensible shoes, put on some high heels and sexy jewelry, and be all set to go out dancing or dining or whatever the evening had in store. Made of slinky jersey material or polyester, the wrap dress came in bold patterns as well as solid colors, chic and sexy for any occasion.

“To some,” Von Furstenberg said, looking back, “the wrap became a manifesto for the liberated woman of the 1970’s.” Women could look fashionable without being caught up in every new trend. And they didn’t have to burn their bras and trade in all their dresses for jeans to feel easy and comfortable in their clothes.