The word muse is one that gets thrown around a little too lightly nowadays, but if there’s one tastemaker who is undoubtedly deserving of this title, it’s Alexa Chung. Over her two decades in the industry, the perennial It girl has garnered a legion of adherents who worship her commitment to ethereal everyday style—Peter Pan collars paired with boxy leather jackets, denim jeans finished with quaint lace-up derbys, knee-grazing shift dresses plastered with an illustrated portrait of Elvis Presley’s face.
Now, to celebrate her 42nd birthday, the British fashion icon delivered a masterclass in effortlessly elegant evening wear just in time for the upcoming party season. Fusing a timeless silhouette with a contemporary trend, Chung donned a knee-grazing little black dress that boasted a raw hem trim and saccharine bow accent.
This enduring mini is a style that appears in any well-edited wardrobe and has been a staple for chic socialites like Audrey Hepburn to Margaret Qualley since Coco Chanel invented the garment over a century ago. But to ring in her latest lap around the sun, Chung leant into the zany girlishness she’s curated over the years by teaming the look with a pair of light denier tights and white court pumps.
Given the fact that Chung fêted the occasion in New York, the outfit formula also felt like an homage to some of the city’s most prolific dressers—Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw and Madonna during her Material Girl era. As it turns out, Chung isn’t the only one to gravitate towards this ensemble. Earlier this week on the island of Manhattan, Hailey Bieber also embraced this template by stepping out in a black leather midi from Saint Laurent’s spring/summer 2026 collection and razor-sharp white heels.
With the festive season fast approaching, it’s only a matter of time before we see more of this exact outfit formula. Between the classic dress shape and the polished shoe colour and cut, don’t be surprised when you see this at every upcoming soirée from here on out.
Because if you can’t beat them—and I doubt you’ll be able to find a more sophisticated look than this—join them and scroll on to shop the best black dresses, black tights and white heels.
Shop LBDs + Black Tights and White Heels:
The high neckline and gathered ruching around the bodice gives this dress a luxurious quality.
Such incredible value.
For the price of a few cocktails at a ritzy London bar, these curved heels are well worth the investment for your party season wardrobe.
It's not just corduroy that's having a comeback, with velvet details swiftly taking over this winter.
These are made with rip-resistant technology, which is perfect for all the cocktail parties on the horizon.
One of Manolo Blahnik's most iconic designs.
An LBD doesn't have to feature a micro hemline, as this stunning slip-dress proves.
Make like Kate Moss and pair your LBD with the sheerest tights imaginable.
For those who are after an investment pair, this Prada style is a bona fide cult buy.
-
Eiza González Reveals Her Fave Red Carpet Looks of All Time and Her Top Holiday Jewelry Trend PredictionRead our new interview.
-
Only People Who "Get It" Are Wearing This Heeled-Shoe Color Trend Instead of Black or TanBella Hadid is one of them.
-
If You're Going to Keep Wearing Floral Dresses in the Winter, This Jacket and These Boots Are Absolutely CrucialIt's the only practical (and chic) way.
-
The Ashley Olsen Way to Make Simple Black Coats Look Chic, Not BoringIt's so easy, yet so impactful.
-
Okay, Noted—the Most Elegant Dresser I Follow Just Traded In Her Dark-Wash Denim for This Controversial Color TrendIt looks so expensive.
-
I'm a Senior Shopping Editor—29 Pieces I'm Eyeing Ahead of Black Friday That Will Get You Envious Stares and ComplimentsThese are guaranteed to elevate your wardrobe.
-
I'll Know You're a Fashion Person If I See You Wearing Jeans Like *This* in 2025It's probably not what you're thinking.
-
4 Years Later, This Chic Fall 2025–Coded Outfit From Zoë Kravitz Is Still on My Mind: Here's How to Re-Create ItShe's always ahead of the fashion curve.
