How to Wear a Black Dress in Summer

Back when I was younger, I used to think black summer outfits were a no-no. Black should be for fall! Black should be for 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.

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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. (ICYMI, I wrote this blog post on why linen is a must-have summer fabric.)

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 few options I am currently loving:

Offset Stark Black with Neutrals

To keep a black summer dress from looking too severe, I like to wear neutral accessories to balance things out a bit.

I bought this woven bag in 2020 and it’s one of my most used purses during spring and summer. It’s such a good “in between” purse. It’s not too casual or fancy, it’s a nice neutral tan (not too pink or brown). And it fits all of the essentials. It’s also available in other colors including an even lighter neutral depending on your taste.

I love adding in a woven accessory via my sandals or bag. 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 provide visual interest to your black summer dress.

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 shells! The world is your oyster. (See what I did there?) 😉