How to Style a Black Dress: 5 Ways to Wear Black Dresses

A versatile black dress works in all seasons and almost all settings. See how you can get the most out of your black dress with these outfit ideas:

1. 1. Go casual in warmer weather. Summer outfits are usually an opportunity for brighter, vibrant colors, but you can opt for a trendy, casual look by pairing a strapless black dress with a pair of white sneakers. Shoulder a tote bag and throw on a summer hat, and you’ll be ready for the beach or farmers’ market.
2. 2. Add leggings and a blazer for the office. The black dress can be for the workplace as well. Wear booties, tights, and a blazer with your black dress for smart casual offices. Dresses with conservative necklines work best for workwear.
3. 3. Throw on a leather jacket for a night out. Leather jackets, like black dresses, work with all body shapes, so you can customize your casual outfit by wearing a colorful leather jacket with your black dress.
4. 4. Try something formal for a date night. Wear a black midi dress with heels for a night out or more formal events, and accentuate your outfit with some fancier add-ons like jewelry.
5. 5. Complete your look with knee-high boots. Your black cocktail dress can go with many forms of shoewear. Heels can work in warmer weather, and knee-high boots go great in cooler months, especially if you wear a shorter midi dress.

A solid black dress is the perfect, plain canvas for you to add color with personalized accessories. Consider the following ways to accessorize:

• Wear a colorful belt. You can add a belt over a black dress for a pop of color or accentuate your waistline. Try tossing on a sun hat with a belt that matches the hat’s color to bring your outfit together in the summer.
• Add statement earrings. A pair of earrings can go well with your little black dress, especially for more formal occasions.
• Don a necklace. Adding a statement necklace gives a focal point to your outfit and can act as a personal touch.
• Throw on a denim jacket. More casual black dresses made of cotton, linen, or lighter materials can be worn with a denim jacket for a more informal and comfortable look.
• Put on a crossbody bag. A clutch purse can be more elegant for fancier occasions, but a crossbody bag goes well with more casual looks and gives you an easy place to store your phone, wallet, and more.
  

Follow these style tips to make the most of your black dress outfit:

1. 1. Be comfortable in what you wear. Almost every clothing brand sells a version of the black dress, but sizes may vary from store to store. If shopping online, check out the exact measurements of the dress, or when buying in person, be sure to try it on first so that you feel comfortable and confident.
2. 2. Go for an all-black look. A simple way to style a black dress is to wear black from head to toe. Try an all-black outfit by adding a black leather jacket, black shoes, and/or black leggings to your LBD.
3. 3. Know the dress code. Some black dresses are more formal than others. The cocktail dress, or party dress, is a semi-formal dress style that falls knee-length or just below the knee. As the name suggests, cocktail dresses are great for your typical cocktail party. In 1926, Coco Chanel designed the little black dress (LBD), making the iconic, yet simple piece a closet staple and de facto cocktail dress. Longer, conservative black dresses are more appropriate for formal black tie events and occasions such as funerals.

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