If you're the kind of person who jumps at the chance to throw on a fuchsia frock or rainbow-hued separates at the merest hint of sun, then it might be best to look away now. This is an ode to the black summer dress and is dedicated to anyone who has found the prevailing summer aesthetic at odds with their personal style. My relationship with summer clothing has been an ever-evolving one, and while I think I have finally found a happy equilibrium between my penchant for tailored simplicity and practical need for warm-weather pieces, I can still find dresses hard to navigate.
It doesn't help that I've never been a massive fan of florals, and I also find that the classic fit-and-flare summer dress makes me feel about 13 years old. While my winter style can hardly be described as minimalist, interestingly, I find that the more stripped-back silhouettes are what most appeal to me during the warmer months. And when scrolling through the new-in sections of my favourite online stores, it's more often than not the black dresses that seem to fulfil my criteria.
So if you're craving something a little more low-key but certainly not lacking in impact, scroll down to see and shop my edit of black summer dresses that have caught my eye this season.
Shop the Best Black Summer Dresses:
We all known linen is a great choice for summer.
Such an easy mini dress for summer. I'd wear mine with chunky flip flops at the weekend, and heels for date night.
Look at the pretty bows!
Matteau's dresses are some of my favourites, as you may guess from the edit below. This halter style is perfect for holidays but is also polished enough to wear at home too.
I love that this one is easy to dress up with heels (hello summer wedding) or down with minimalist sandals.
Such a lovely shape.
Jovonna dresses always get a yes from me.
Possibly the best dress COS has created this year.
It's the asymmetric shoulder that really does it for me with this style.
A tank dress will work hard in your wardrobe all year round.
Aligne's dresses are just gorgeous. I love the almost waistcoat-style detail on the Leah.
So many fashion people own this comfy maxi.
Wear it over a bikini at the beach or add a slip underneath to make it city-friendly.
You can't go wrong with a simple slip you'll love and wear forever.
So pretty!
Simple, sleek, sophisticated.
The shirred bodice really makes the look so much more expensive than it is.
The sleeves, the broderie hem... This dress is just stunning.
The perfect LBD (that's long black dress) in my eyes.
Just add gold jewellery and you're set.
A great choice if, like me, you like a satin finish.
Ordered it, worn it, love it!
M&S has really won me over with this styling.
I love this easy jersey dress.
This style has such a Parisian feel.
This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
-
The Brutally Honest Skincare Advice You Needed to Know Yesterday, According to 2 Beauty Industry VetsThe Dieux founders share their hot takes and unfiltered product recs.
-
Sorry to My Classic Black Shoes, But This Printed Shoe Trend Is Defining Fall 2025Spotted on fashion people in Venice, NYC, and Copenhagen.
-
Skip the Logos—Here's What French and Italian Women Are *Actually* Wearing for a Euro SummerChic.
-
This Simple Fashion Person–Approved Layering Technique Changed the Way I Wear My BasicsEffortlessly cool.
-
These 31 Effortless Summer Basics Make Getting Ready So Much EasierLow lift, high reward.
-
If You're Anti-Jeans, These Nordstrom Skirts, Dresses, and Pants Will Make You GiddyStylish bottoms to the front!
-
I'm a Shopping Expert—31 of the Hottest Summer Finds According to My Revolve, Zara, and Nordstrom TabsFrom trendy lace-trim shorts to flip-flop heels.
-
My Fashion Friends Put These 30 Exceptionally Good Pieces on My Radar This MonthGood luck picking just one favorite.
-
The Pretty Dress Trend L.A. It Girls Are Bringing Into Fall (and the "Basic" Style They Already Forgot About)It's finally time to part ways with boring linen dresses.
-
J.Crew and Gap Are Having Major Sales RN—Here Are 31 Beautiful Summer Finds I'm Swooning OverFlirty florals and blush-worthy lace pieces.
