What to Wear With a Black Dress

The black dress is one of the most versatile staples in any wardrobe. From the iconic, effortless chic of the LBD to ultra-casual daywear dresses, there’s not much this sartorial classic can’t achieve. But the black dress’s versatility doesn’t always mean it’s easy to style. Careful thought and consideration is needed to ensure it delivers the intended aesthetic – perfect for the occasion in question. With that in mind, here’s all you need to know about how to wear the (not so) humble black dress.

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How to style a black dress

How you style your black dress will depend on a range of factors. The overarching look you want to achieve; the style, cut and length of the dress; and the occasion will all influence the approach you take. It’s a lot to consider but there are a couple of things you can do to narrow the search for your style:

Give yourself a styling brief

If you’re headed to a dressy ‘do’ – like an evening cocktail party – this might be ‘dressed-up elegance’. Or, for a celebration meal at a nice restaurant, it might be ‘stylish and smart – but not OTT’. On the other end of the spectrum, you might go for something like ‘casual and on-trend’ for a day of city exploring.

Get to know the details of your dress

It’s likely you chose your black dress for a particular reason: the feminine detailing, bold neckline, or its figure-hugging or flowing silhouette, for example. A clear idea of its defining assets will ensure you don’t make style choices that mess with the proportions, cut or detailing of your dress. Defining these points first will prevent you from accidentally mixing up too many looks and make your styling decisions much easier, whether you choose to dress up, down or play around with your black-dress style.

How to dress up a black dress

Coco Chanel famously advocated taking one accessory off before leaving the house. It’s faultless advice – especially if you’re aiming for a refined, elegant look. But what else can you do to elevate your black dress ensembles?

Go for heels

Whether suede black platforms, barely-there heels, or block-heeled boots, the easiest way to dress up a black dress is to wear height-giving shoes.

Accessorise

A pair of sparkly, oversized earrings, a vibrant jewelled necklace, or a chunky cuff bracelet – adding a key piece of jewellery will elevate your dress from casual to cocktail-bar ready.

Opt for a smart jacket or coat

Make your black dress look extra classy by pairing it with a beautifully tailored tux blazer. For a more opulent look, wrap yourself in a plush, faux-fur coat.

How to dress down a black dress

The black dress is known for its power to give off a sense of quiet sophistication. But what if you want to take it back a notch to give yourself a more workable daywear option? With a few simple moves, you can switch your black dress from ultra-formal to off-duty mode:

Go for flats

Give your black dresses a more casual feel by matching them with a pair of polished riding boots or stylish loafers. Opt for ballet pumps as opposed to party-ready heels. In the summer, reach for a pair of soft leather slides or chunky sandals. More casual black dresses can look stylish and laid-back with flat, chunky boots in both winter and summer.

Stick to casual layers

Layer your black dresses with relaxed jumpers and cardigans for a laid-back look. Alternatively, jackets in leather or denim or shacket designs keep things feeling casual. Avoid coats and jackets in more tailored designs when going for a dressed-down look.

Downplay with hats and handbags

While jewellery has its place among casual outfits, one of the best ways to dress down more formal-feeling black dresses is to opt instead for hats and handbags to accessorise your look. For a fully dressed-down look, try matching your black dress with a slouchy beret or fedora. A cute straw boater or large canvas tote bag will artfully downplay a black dress in sunnier months. Dressing your black dress up or down is one thing, but if you’re looking to create a more specific style, you can achieve a whole host of different looks with the right accessory choice.

Master the art of accessorising

In some ways, a black dress is the perfect base layer for experimentation. A mix of rings on both hands immediately gives off a casually creative look, while simple teardrop earrings offer a more conventional approach to elegance. This versatility means you can explore what suits you best and represents your unique personality, no matter what the occasion. If you need a little inspiration to get started, consider these three individual looks:

Ultra glam

Wearing a statement necklace, shimmering earrings or an embellished choker will give any black dress a glitzier feel. Think chunky or layered chains, oversized jewels, and bold pendants. These work particularly well with square, scoop and V-neck dresses.

Barely there

Barely-there accessories look great both with formal and casual black dress outfits. A dainty chain and a pair of twinkling drop earrings can give a dressy outfit a sense of elegance. While casual black dresses can look great with small gold hoops, and delicate chain bracelets.

Eclectic cool

If you love to add intrigue to your outfit with a focal point, try styling your black dress with a more eclectic collection of accessories. This might be a combination of gold and silver rings or earrings. Or achieved through layering up bohemian charm bracelets to complement a casual linen summer dress.

Layer-up in style

When you’ve spent time perfecting your black dress look, the last thing you want to do is to throw off the whole concept with layers that don’t match. Thankfully, there are plenty of options to keep cosy in your black dress with items that not only complement but accentuate your look.

Keep it chic

Opt for a structured blazer for those spontaneous after-work drinks. Or, in colder months, stay warm and chic with a double-breasted wool coat.

Go for laid-back vibes

Reach for something in denim or khaki for casual summer days out. In winter, layer a supple leather biker jacket over your black dresses for a laid-back and on-trend look.

Ditch the jacket

Layer t-shirts under strappy black dress designs in the warmer months. Or, throw on a light cardigan or soft pashmina to keep the summer breeze at bay. When the weather turns, layer up your black dresses with snuggly, chunky-knit cardigans and jumpers.

Wear tights

If it’s too cold out to go bare-leg, reach for a pair of warmth-giving tights. Sheer designs can work particularly well with black dresses, as they stop the outfit from looking too all-black. Thicker tights can work in the wintry months too, though, especially when paired with looser fitting dresses and stylish chunky boots.

Choose the right shoes for a black dress

Should you go for statement-making stilletos, or keep things laid-back with a pair of heeled boots? The truth is, a classic black dress can work well with most shoe styles. From trainers to wedge heels, loafers, slides, and simple pumps – there are plenty of designs to experiment with. Try these classic combinations as a starter for ten:

All-out elegance

Try pairing a figure-hugging black evening dress with a pair of black, pointed-toe court shoes in a kitten heel.

Keeping it casual

Match a straight-cut black T-shirt dress with a pair of chunky biker boots. Or, embrace the Western trend with a pair of cream leather cowboy boots.

Summer vibes

Pair a classic black linen dress with supple leather slides. Or, make a statement in a pair of flatform sandals with chunky buckle detailing.

Athleisure chic

A black midi or maxi tank dress goes perfectly with a pair of crisp white trainers for a cool, athletic look.

The perfect shade

When it comes to what colour shoes go best with a black dress – there aren’t any hard and fast rules. Blacks, whites and nude or neutral tones can work just as well as animal print, metallics and even brighter colours. Speaking of colour, which colours overall are acceptable to wear with black is a widely debated topic. But there’s more than one right way to ensure your black dress gets a perfect colour match.

Know which colours complement a black dress

A black dress can stand alone, even with minimal accessories. But when it comes to reaching for a jacket, scarf, or other accent items – which colours complement a black dress best?

Natural tones

From pebble greys through to rich taupes, and classic beiges – when you accessorise a black dress with natural tones, it’s pretty much impossible to go wrong. Try accessorising with classic tortoiseshell sunglasses, a pale grey pashmina, or a pretty beige cardigan.

Metallic tones

Silvers, golds and rose golds all work really well with black. Layer up dainty, twinkling chains around your neck, or make a statement with a pair of chunky gold hoop earrings. Opt for a metallic silver clutch bag or pair of gold platforms to give your black dress an eye-catching edge.

Colour accents

There’s nothing to say you can’t wear bolder colours with black, too. If you’re someone who can’t be without a pop of colour in their ensemble, try vibrant scarlet in the form of a luxurious matte lipstick or silk scrunchie. Or a plush velvet headband in racing green for a truly elegant look.

Making the most of your favourite black dresses

Ultimately, how you choose to wear this classic design will all depend on the occasion and the look you want to achieve. If you’re nervous about getting things right – stick with neutral-toned accessories and classic shoe and jacket styles. If you’re feeling more adventurous, give your black dresses an edge with chunky boots or statement heels, and bold jewellery. Remember, the perfect black-dress look can take many forms, and there’s definitely one out there for you.