Let’s talk about the little black dress. It’s been an absolute staple in every woman’s closet since the dawn of time (or at least since Audrey Hepborn wore the most iconic one as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s).
One of the reasons LBDs are so loved is because they work for every occasion. They’re the perfect simple base clothing piece to dress up or down. Black is the new black; nothing can beat it when it comes to the epitome of style.
We don’t just stop wearing black in the summer. That would be a misunderstanding of the purpose of a wardrobe staple. Little black dresses, they’re for all seasons. In fact, we up our black dress game in the summer because hello cute mini dresses and sophisticated plays on patterns and garden-party-chic but make it black.
So enjoy our top picks for black summer dress ideas and let yourself be inspired.
Sarabeth Dress
A little 1920’s flapper, a little Carrie Bradshaw, it’s flirty and great for dancing due to the fringe. This one is perfect to wear to that friend’s party where everyone is told to come in their best but you’ll be the most stylish person there.
Alaine Dress
Nothing is really more comfortable than a wrap dress. It’s like folding yourself in a slippery smooth sheet that keeps you cool in the summer heat. Draping but make it chic. The fabric practically wicks to draw excess heat and sweat away from your body so you’ll be cool (in both senses of the word).
Adler Dress
It’s time to bare the shoulders and collarbone when the sun comes out. SPF protected, of course. From grabbing ingredients for the most beautiful charcuterie plate ever at the grocery store to the party that evening, you won’t be taking the Adler dress off.
Mariette Dress
What screams summer more than sleeping in late and throwing on something simple and chic that announces your laid back vibes? This dress says it all. It’s pretty much guaranteed to be the only thing you want to wear for three months straight. Feel free to pair it with messy hair to add a pinch of scandal to your look.
Stassie Dress
The crossing straps and peekaboo cutouts whisk us away to a tropical resort somewhere. You. A beach. This dress. A drink in your hand and a big ‘ol floppy hat. A few extra freckles smattering your nose. Can’t you just smell the ocean?
Whitley Dress
What’s better than making a run to the farmers market during those late summer mornings? The Whitley dress is just right for wearing while you stroll through vendor’s stalls with an iced latte in one hand and a woven basket filled with wildflowers slung over your shoulder. Summer should be effortless. You’re doing it perfectly.
Marlowe Dress
The Marlowe dress: it’s a classic if we’ve ever seen one. Somehow it manages to look both like the nightie you slept in last night and a vintage treasure Winona Rider probably wore in the 90s. What we’re saying is that tiny little slip dresses are the only thing you need to wear this summer if you want to stay vogue.
Twilight Dress
You’ll be dozing in wildflower fields in this one. How could you not with this spectacular print? Don’t buy this dress if you aren’t prepared to fully lean in to the whimsical; we’re talking full on flowers in your hair, golden bronzed skin, bare feet in the clovers, honeysuckle-hinting perfume. That doesn’t mean you can’t wear it to the bar. You bring the romance with you.
Crosby Dress
Summer was made for two piece sets. A nice and relaxed fit for ultimate movement, the Crosby dress flatters you. The pattern is just psychedelic enough to summon visions of dancing the night away under a disco ball but it also takes us back to a little Y2K rollerblading around the block. Do everything in this dress. It’ll match your vibe.
Noha Dress
You are a vision in viscose—forest-based crepe to be exact. You’re the kind of girl who does everything in a mini dress. Saving the planet; building an empire; cleaning the house; getting your friends through a crisis. You just throw on a pair of tennis shoes (ooh, those look great with this dress) and get it done.
Takeaway
Just because it’s hot as blazes in the summer doesn’t mean the wardrobe staple also known as the little black dress gets pushed to the back of your closet. That would really be too much of a shame since there are so many cute black summer dresses. When you’re feeling adventurous, relaxed, and laid-back this summer, you’ll have dresses on hand to match your mood. We’re talking patterns, mini length, maxi length, spaghetti straps, open back, cutouts, you name it. Find the right dress (or even better, dresses) and rotate it through those warm casual summer months.
