Ask any fashion girlie ever, and she'll tell you that you can never go wrong with a little black dress. Even in summer! Yep, it doesn't matter how high the temperature climbs, we can't bear to ditch our black clothing in sunny szn. It's not like any unsightly perspiration stains (sweaty girls, I don't just see you, I am you) will show on the dark fabric anyway – just one of the many reasons we love wearing a black dress.
The others? Well, since you asked, how about the fact a black dress always looks chic AF, is a breeze to accessorise, and takes you seamlessly from one destination to the next with no need to change between events. Throw it on and go from desk to date night, picnic in the park to pub. And, unlike a white dress, there's no need to fret about wearing skin-coloured underwear or avoiding the colour when on a hen do.
We could go on and on, but chances are, if you've found yourself here, you share our affinity for a black summer dress. If you do still need convincing, we'll let our round-up of the best black summer dresses available to shop on the high street and beyond right now take it from here. With over 20 picks in a variety of trending styles, silhouettes and hem lengths, there's bound to be at least one design that catches your eye.
Black mini dress
An LBD is a classic for a reason, but on a warm summer's day, a black mini dress stretches far beyond its date night capabilities. Dress it down with walking sandals or trainers for weekends in the park with friends, then throw on a blazer and loafers when you wear it to work.
Black midi dress
A midi dress is perhaps our favourite dress length for its pure design versatility. No matter what style dress you're after – drop-waist, milkmaid, slip, A-line, halterneck, the list goes on – we can practically guarantee you'll find it in a mid-length. We can also guarantee it will come in black. Win-win!
Black maxi dress
Whether you're looking for something a little more glamorous or you're after a relaxed jersey number you can chuck on over the top of your bikini on holiday, a black maxi dress ticks all the boxes and promises you'll look impossibly chic.
Black patterned dress
M&S Collection Lyocell Rich Polka Dot Sweetheart Neckline Maxi Waisted Dress
Gingham and polka dots are currently vying for print of the summer and while both come in varying colourways, our favourite iterations are primarily black designs offset with white. For something more feminine, black-backed floral prints will set you apart in a field of flower patterns.
Black one-shoulder dress
One-shoulder dresses are something of a micro-trend this season, and we're low-key obsessed with the look. The universally flattering asymmetric neckline adds a little edge to a multitude of dress silhouettes, so take your pick of styles, pair with your black summer sandals, and go!
Black beach dress
The White Company Jersey Linen Twist Back Maxi Beach Dress
Packing space is precious, so finding a holiday dress that can do it all – all, in this instance, referring to city sightseeing, days spent lounging poolside and sunset cocktails –is no mean feat. Enter: a black summer dress. No matter if you opt for mini, midi or maxi, stick to a natural fabric like cotton or linen and rely on accessories like a belt and gold jewellery to do the rest.
Black wedding guest dress
Yes, you *can* wear black to a wedding! Admittedly, there are a few style rules we'd advise you follow to feel confident in your black wedding guest dress – all of which we detail here – but as long as you opt for a formal dress (think fabrics like satin and silk) in a modest silhouette, you can't go wrong.
Follow Alex on Instagram.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
