Back when I was younger, I used to think black summer outfits were a no-no. The black clothes should be for fall or winter! Boy was I wrong. As much as I love a crisp white dress or white top, black is chic (and comfortable) in summer if you wear it correctly. Here are my easy tips on how to wear a black dress in summer.
How to Wear a Black Dress in Summer
Find the Right Fabric
Not all black dresses are created equal and work well in the summer. For summer, I prefer a black dress in a lightweight jersey, cotton, or linen.
Look for fabrics that are breathable and comfortable for you. That LBD you have hanging in your closet made from wool? Nope. The key here is to make your black dress seasonably appropriate. An airy or flowy fabric piece an absolute must, especially since dark colors attract more heat in the summer.
Here are a several black dresses that are perfect for summer:
Offset Stark Black with Woven Neutrals
I like to wear neutral accessories with black summer dresses to balance things out a bit. You can absolutely wear brown and tan with black, and in the summer it also helps soften the black.
Woven sandals or bags work wonderfully in the summer. Whether that’s with leather or straw, there’s some quintessentially summer about a woven anything. Plus, it’s an easy way to add in some texture to also provide visual interest to your black summer dress outfit.
Try Head to Toe Black
Alternatively, you can also try a head to toe black look. Black on black is always chic, even in the summer. It’s really important to make sure you’re wearing lightweight fabrics and accessorizing with seasonally appropriate pieces here. Black espadrilles are a great summer shoe choice, or black slide sandals like these.
Contrast with a Pop of Color
If you want more of a bold look, contrast your black summer dress with a pop of color. I personally love utilizing this principle if I’m attending a summer wedding and want wear a black dress. Bright colors liven things up a bit and make the black look a little more fun and celebratory.
Add in Fun Jewelry
It’s summer, the weather is nice, and people are happy. Don’t be afraid to add in some fun jewelry to your outfit to match your carefree summer spirit!
I’ve always loved a good arm stack, and I recently discovered Roxanne Assoulin and her bracelets – along with all of her jewelry – are just so FUN.
Play with fun fabrics that are nostalgic to summer camp feels – ribbons, cloth, beads, and even pearls or shells! The world is your oyster. (See what I did there?)
Black Dress Outfit Ideas
GET the look: Black SMOCKED dress | ADIDAS SAMBA SNEAKERS
BLACK dress WITH SNEAKERS
My favorite way to style a black dress for the summer in the city is just like this – with sneakers. This smocked midi dress is lightweight and comfortable, and with sneakers I can walk the entire day while doing errands or shopping.
GET the look: Black midi dress (similar and similar) | gold pleated heels | pink clutch (similar)
BLACK dress for summer wedding
If you’re looking for a black dress to wear for a summer wedding, look for a midi or maxi length. So that the black doesn’t feel so drab for a summer fete, punch it up with some metallic accessories like these heels, and add a fun pop of color with a bag or some bright lipstick.
GET the look: SHORT BLACK dress (SIMILAR) | WOVEN CROSSBODY BAG | WOVEN SLIDES (SIMILAR)
SHORT BLACK dress & NEUTRAL ACCESSORIES
Offset bold black and soften its appearance for the summer by mixing in casual neutrals via natural materials like raffia or woven textures.
BLACK SUMMER dress WITH SLIT
A breezy, lightweight maxi dress with sandals is perfect for a beach getaway. Look for summer-friendly fabrics like linen and cotton to keep you cool, and swap flat sandals for low heels to take you to dinner.
Looking very beautiful in this black dress.