Black summer dresses for women should be a powerhouse staple in your wardrobe.
It can make you feel sexy, breezy, confident, or cool, and sometimes it can do all of that at once.
All it takes is finding the right style for you and your lifestyle.
The perfect little black dress for a summer capsule wardrobe should be:
– Versatile
– Quality-made
– Well-fitting
– Comfortable
To help you check those boxes, we’ve put together a list of the four best options for professional women.
But before we get into our product recommendations, let’s first cover why black dresses are a great choice for summer.
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Should You Wear Black Summer Dresses for Women?
Yes, if you’re comfortable in dresses, a black summer frock should be a summer go-to for you.
Why? Because an “LBD” is a year-round staple. Thanks to the neutral color, you can easily dress it up or down with layers or accessories.
On top of that, it can fit any dress code. Black automatically looks put-together, so it’s an easy way to create a professional outfit without a lot of effort.
Finally, we love black summer dresses for women because they’re a quick, one-and-done outfit. You don’t have to waste time each morning building outfits or matching separates.
Getting dressed shouldn’t feel like a chore so finding simple pieces that do the work for you is essential.
Best Types of Black Summer Dresses for Women (and How to Style Them)
Ready to upgrade your summer closet? Here are four types of black summer dresses for different occasions and dress codes.
We’ll walk you through how to style them and why they’re worth adding to your rotation.
The Best Black Summer Dresses for Women: Black Maxi Dresses for Women
Who can resist black maxi dresses for women on warm weather days? These floor-length frocks feel feminine, breezy, and comfortable thanks to their flowy silhouette.
Plus, they offer plenty of coverage. This is great for protecting you from too much sun exposure, but it’s also great for the workplace. You won’t have to worry about your hem being too short or having to adjust it throughout the day.
And, as we mentioned earlier, black reads as more formal than other colors. So with a black maxi dress, you’re less likely to have to worry about your maxi looking too casual.
If you’re searching for a black maxi this season, give this one from Shelli Segal a try.
Product by Laundry by Shelli Segal, shop here.
This makes for a great casual or business casual summer dress. The thick straps keep your shoulders covered while the wrap silhouette defines your figure.
(Pro tip for plus or mid-sized ladies trying to style their body type: lean into wraps. They flatter your waistline and bring out your curves instead of hiding them.)
Accessorize it with black heels like the ones in the picture, and a simple pendant necklace.
Want to lean more into the business casual side of things? Add a structured waist-length jacket or blazer in olive green or white.
This is one of those black summer dresses for women that you can wear to a Monday meeting or after work to dinner without skipping a beat.
Conquer Casual Dress Codes with Black Sundresses for Women
Are you looking for something to wear to a casual office or for summer off-site events? Then black sundresses for women are about to be your new best friend.
Oftentimes, people think a sundress only works on the weekends. But summertime is the ideal opportunity to add these to your weekday wardrobe.
Does your office observe “summer Fridays” or does your team have a work retreat on the schedule? Then try something like this relaxed a-line by Marine Layer.
Product by Marine Layer, shop here.
This piece is 100% cotton, meaning it’s 100% built for even the hottest of summer days. Cotton is a natural, breathable fiber, so you won’t feel as sweaty or overheated as you would in a synthetic.
The subtle texturing and sheared tiers feel fun and trend-aware without going over the top.
Wear this with sandals for a company picnic, or pop on white sneakers for a west coast office dress code.
The Best Black Summer Dresses for Women: Black Midi Dresses for Women
Next on our list of must-have black summer dresses for women, is the midi dress.
Black midi dresses for women have become more and more popular in recent years because they’re the perfect middle ground. They’re not too short or long, which makes them more versatile across dress codes and different seasons.
That’s also why they’re a great fit for most offices as well.
Today, we’re recommending this ruffle-shoulder option from Paige.
Product by Paige, shop here.
This is the perfect example of casual or corporate casual attire. Why? Because of how it blends a formal silhouette with modern details like textured fabric and ruffles.
We especially like this dress for anyone looking to add more of a feminine touch to their wardrobe.
We often hear from our female clients that they don’t want to have to dress like “one of the guys”. Instead, they want to show off their personal style.
This frock is a chic and professional way to do so.
Long Black Summer Dresses for Formal Offices
We’ve shown you how to wear long black summer dresses for casual settings. Now, let’s see how you can make them work in formal environments.
The best way to do this is to choose more elevated fabrics and traditional silhouettes.
Skip patterns and frills and go for something streamlined and classic.
One of the best black summer dresses for women is this sleeveless number from Theory.
Product by Theory, shop here.
The viscose fabric has a slight sheen and is thicker than the other dresses on our list. This makes it feel more dressed up and sturdy, perfect for an executive or power casual workplace.
If your office keeps to a more traditional business formal dress code, complete your outfit with nude heels or flats.
However, if you’re in a setting where you can show off your personality, try something fun like metallic sling-backs.
No matter how you choose to style this dress, keep your accessories to a minimum. That way you keep the focus on yourself.
Black summer dresses for women aren’t the only way to enhance your style this season. If you’re wanting to level up your wardrobe for good, apply for our women’s consulting and styling services. Our team has over 20 years of experience helping professionals to upgrade their clothing and change their approach to shopping.
