How to Accessorize a Black Dress
It’s no secret that a black dress is a quintessential outfit staple. We’ve all heard of the “little black dress”! There are endless ways to wear a black dress; most fabrics are seasonless, so you can wear your black dress in any season, and by being black, they automatically look more elegant and are easier to style because of their versatility. What’s not to love?!
I’ve owned my fair share of black dresses over my blogging lifetime (which is coming up on 11 years—OMG!). My current black dress obsession is my kaftan dress. I love black dresses because they are the perfect canvas to showcase your personality, and you can easily switch up your look by playing around with a bunch of different types of accessories! Below, I shared how to accessorize a black dress for different seasons and events with a collection of eight outfit ideas.
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How to Accessorize a Black Dress
Accessorize a Black Dress for a Summer Party
Black may be the last color you want to wear for an outdoor summer party or wedding (as a longtime Idahoan, I’m used to hot summers, so I try to avoid wearing black if I’m going to be in the sun), but on the other hand—black also hides sweat the best. (Gross, but if you know, you know!)
Opt for a black dress in a lightweight, breathable fabric (like linen) if you can. Keep your accessories minimal. Add statement jewelry; I love earrings because a necklace just makes my neck sweaty. Throw on a pair of heeled sandals; I went monochrome with this look, but this is a great time to add a color or pattern! Style your hair up to keep it off of your neck, and don’t forget sunscreen!
Accessorize a Black Dress for Spring
Once the temperatures hit around 70-80°F in the spring, I’m breaking out my favorite black kaftan dress! It’s such a staple in my wardrobe, especially because it works so well even when my weight is fluctuating. A kaftan dress like this is shapeless through the body, but that’s what I love about it. Of course, you could accessorize a dress like this with a belt (or even a belt bag; see outfit below) if you want to show off your waist.
I’m a huge fan of minimalism when it comes to accessories, and I think you’ll see that in the rest of these black dress outfits, ha. Often times, a hat is all I need to instantly feel pulled together! I love pulling out this straw sun hat in the spring and summer. I finished this outfit with light pink clog sandals, which closely match my skin tone and elongate my leg line as opposed to black sandals.
Accessorize a Black Dress for Graduation
I wore a simple black silk shirtdress to my PhD graduation! Jazz up a black dress for your graduation with a comfy pair of pumps or flats (my Ferragamo pumps were spendy but comfy enough to be on my feet for a couple of hours), statement earrings, and a simple clutch. I tossed on a cashmere cardigan to stay warm in chilly indoor spaces.
If you’re graduating, your outfit will be covered by your graduation gown for most of the time, so it’s the perfect time to wear something comfortable and play around with your shoes, jewelry, nail color, and cap! Here’s how I decorated my last graduation cap. If you’re a guest of a graduate, a black dress is also a great option! Stick to a simple and comfortable outfit and keep a layer with you if the ceremony is indoors.
Accessorize a Black Dress for Evening
If you’re headed to an evening event, like a film festival or concert or comedy show, this black dress outfit idea is for you! I’m wearing the same kaftan dress as the spring outfit above and mentioned that you could nip it in at the waist with a belt or belt bag, just like what I’m wearing here. I picked a cognac brown belt bag for contrast (and paired it with matching boots, of course).
A leather jacket paired with a black dress is a match made in heaven! It adds the perfect amount of texture and edge and allows your black dress outfit to look interesting even though all you did was throw on one extra article of clothing. It’s the perfect third piece to finish an outfit! Take it up another notch by wearing statement earrings. You can tell these are my favorites!
Accessorize a Black Dress for Fall
When the fall and winter chill hits, it’s time to pull out the long-sleeved black dress. This one has a faux wrap that cinches at the waist. When I wear this dress, I honestly don’t add many accessories; it’s interesting enough on its own that it really doesn’t need much more! (Maybe you disagree with me? Like I said earlier, I’m a minimalist when it comes to accessories.)
Because I put together this outfit in late summer/early fall, I accessorized this dress with black leather ankle boots and a circle crossbody bag. The boots do cut off the leg line, which is a fashion “no-no”, especially if you’re petite like I am, but sometimes I just don’t care! It’s fun to wear what you want to wear just because you love it and feel comfortable.
Accessorize a Black Dress for a Christmas Party
It might look like I’m wearing a black skirt here, but I’m actually wearing a black dress with a cropped sweater layered over the top! I love this trick; it’s a fun way to get more wear out of your dresses. This is the perfect outfit for a holiday event (like seeing The Nutcracker ballet) or Christmas party.
To finish this outfit, add a statement necklace for a touch of glamour, and wear black tights underneath to keep out the chill. The style of tight depends on your preferences; I’m partial to opaque tights, but sheer tights add some dimension to a dark outfit. And fleece tights are definitely the warmest option if you’ll be spending time outside in the cold!
Accessorize a Black Dress for the Holidays
Here is another holiday outfit featuring a little black dress, and this one is perfect for a winter wedding or other formal event. (I also wore this outfit to see The Nutcracker!) I don’t typically wear sleeveless dresses when it’s cold out, but I made an exception in this case because my faux fur coat was a part of the look. This outfit feels incomplete without it.
This outfit works because it’s a short black dress that hits above my knees, and the fit-and-flare style adds shape by nipping in at the waist and flaring out in the skirt. Accessorize with black tights, coordinating velvet boots, and crystal earrings (or a bold statement necklace), then grab a clutch bag and you’re all set!
Accessorize a Black Dress for a Resort Vacation
When you’re packing for a resort vacation, choose accessories that can be mixed and matched with everything in your suitcase. Of course, I packed my black kaftan dress for our trip to an all-inclusive resort in Mexico a while back! I wore this dress almost every day; it’s the perfect throw-on-and-go dress. It’s comfy enough for the beach and nice enough for dinner.
I often wore my black dress with a packable sun hat and my straw crossbody bag, two accessories that always come with me on beach vacations. And you definitely cannot forget a pair of sunglasses! My signature sunglasses are the Le Specs Air Heart.
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Accessories For Black Dress
Leather Jacket
Leather jackets and black dresses go together like peanut butter and jelly! They add a little bit of edge and texture to any outfit. You could opt for a classic or oversized fit. Depending on the vibe you want to go for, wear a moto style (like mine) or something more streamlined like a leather blazer.
Faux Fur Coat
If you're headed to an elegant evening out in the fall or winter, a faux fur coat is the perfect topper for your black dress. That said, I would recommend not wearing one if there is a threat of precipitation and you'll be outside in it. A contrasting cognac brown color is a luxe combination with a black dress, or you could opt for another color like black, ivory, or navy.
Tights
If you plan to wear your black dress in the fall and winter and you live in a place that gets cold, you’ll definitely want a pair of tights or two on hand. My favorite brand for tights is Hue (size up!), but there are lots of other retailers and brands offering everything from sheer tights to opaque tights, patterned and textured tights, fleece-lined tights, and even tights in a variety of colors.
Statement Jewelry
No matter your jewelry style (I'm partial to earrings and necklaces myself), a black dress is the perfect blank canvas for statement jewelry, which act like your own personal wearable art collection! Statement jewelry pops on a black dress and can really pull an outfit together, especially if you are attending a formal event like a wedding.
Oversized Cardigan or Blazer
For the workplace, toss an oversized cardigan or blazer over your black dress so you don’t freeze if the summer air conditioning is a little too aggressive. On the flip side, a cozy sweater is the perfect layer in the winter. Opt for third pieces in a lightweight fabric like linen or cotton (or blend) for the summer months and a heavier, cozier knit like alpaca or cashmere for the winter.
Clutch or Belt Bag
A small clutch bag is the perfect bag to carry for a formal occasion. Look for something with bling or an interesting detail, like woven leather. If you want to go hands-free but don’t want to wear a crossbody bag, look for a belt bag! They have the added benefit of cinching your black dress at the waist.
Crossbody Bag
My go-to type of bag is a crossbody bag. I love not having to carry my bag, and shoulder bags always slip off. (They are on-trend again if shoulder bags are more your thing!) Your black dress will pair perfectly with any type of crossbody bag; try a bag in a different texture or color to inject more of your personality.
Headband
If jewelry isn’t your thing but you still want to show some eye-catching bling, try a headband! There are more options than those sweatbands that you wear when working out to keep the sweat out of your eyes, ha. A headband is also an excellent place to add more visual interest to your outfit with a fun color or texture.
Wide-brimmed Hat
If you know me, you know I love hats! A packable sun hat or straw sun hat are both excellent options to wear with your black dresses in the summer (or at a resort). You could also wear your black dresses with a floppy felt hat in the fall, a beanie in the winter, or even a baseball cap for a casual everyday look.
Sunglasses
I can't go outside without a pair of sunglasses, so I always complete my outfits with a pair! My go-to sunglasses are the Le Specs Air Heart cat-eye sunglasses. They're huge and sort of make me feel like a celebrity (haha, not really—but I do like that I can sort of "hide" behind my sunglasses, plus I think the large lenses work well on my face).