This fall, I have five weddings on my calendar. Being a wedding guest isn't anything new for me, though. I attended a few this past spring and last year, too. So it's safe to say I've become something of an expert when it comes to dressing for "I do" moments.

One lesson I've learned recently? Buying a new wedding guest dress for every event isn't necessary. It's just an endless and expensive cycle. That's why I'm now investing in one dress I'll wear to the five upcoming celebrations. Thanks to Kaia Gerber, I found the chicest one with endless styling possibilities, so I'll never get sick of it, and it will always feel new.

On Kaia Gerber: Norma Kamali Invisible Fishtail Gown ($385)

Last week, while in NYC for the after-party following the Shards premiere, Gerber stepped out in a sleek black gown. The style was an under-$400 design from Norma Kamali. The accessible price point is reason enough to love it, but that's far from the only selling point. The body-hugging silhouette, low-back cut, and fishtail hem add drama and sensuality. At the same time, the translucent straps create the illusion that the dress is floating on the body, giving it a sleek, streamlined look.

The best part is that you don't have to be headed to a wedding to justify adding it to your closet. It's versatile enough for everything from a black-tie gala to an elegant dinner party in your friend's Tribeca loft.

Ever since Gerber wore the dress, it has been selling out quickly, so if you want to snag one in your size before it's too late, keep scrolling. Ahead, you can shop the dress as well as a few other timeless black gowns that are just as elegant.

Shop the Norma Kamali Invisible Fishtail Gown

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It's easy to forget just how powerful of a wardrobe item a little black dress really is. Style it with sandals or loafers and you have an easy daytime look. Swap them for heels and add some jewels, and suddenly it's evening-ready. Better still, because an LBD provides such a sleek foundation, all it takes is one thoughtfully chosen accessory to make it feel directional.

Right now, my favourite way to elevate an LBD is with a satin skinny scarf, and this week, Kaia Gerber reminded me exactly why. Stepping out in a black satin slip dress, Kaia elevated her look with a matching satin skinny scarf draped elegantly around her neck and cascading down her back.

Evoking the timeless glamour of the French Riviera, this elevated accessory lent her understated outfit a polished, cinematic feel with no effort at all.

Building on the elegant foundation, Kaia finished her look with a pair of peep-toe mule heels and slim black sunglasses. With her hair swept back, save for a few face-framing pieces, her look felt unfussy yet refined.

Adding a glamorous edge that few accessories can rival, a satin skinny scarf might just be one of the smartest wardrobe investments you can make this season. If you want to recreate Kaia's elegant look, keep scrolling to shop the best skinny scarves and little black dresses available now

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In my opinion, Alexa Chung is at her chicest in Paris. So this week, as the style icon descended on the City of Light for a flurry of fashion week appearances, my mood board was refreshed with a healthy dose of styling inspiration. Stepping out for an evening in Paris to celebrate Pandora's collaboration with stylist Harry Lambert, Alexa reached for a timeless wardrobe staple, reminding us exactly why she'll always be the queen of elevated everyday dressing.

Opting for a modern take on the little black dress, Chung chose an elegant design featuring an on-trend halterneck, an asymmetric hem and softly pleated detailing. Then to the shoes, whilst black heels would have been the obvious choice, Alexa sidestepped the predictable in favour of a pair of white heels.

Adding a crisp contrast to her all-black outfit, the white shoes kept it from feeling too heavy for a summer evening event, without relying on bold colours or statement prints.

Perhaps it's because white shoes can scuff so easily, or because they often feel quite stark, but they've never been a style I've instinctively gravitated towards. Still, Alexa's latest look has completely changed my mind.

Styled with chunky silver earrings, a gold arm cuff and a sleek black handbag, the white heels added dimension without distracting from its clean, minimalist aesthetic. In fact, I'm convinced that no other shoe colour could have achieved quite the same effect.

Quite possibly the chicest way I've seen a little black dress styled this season, read on to shop my edit of the best white heels below.

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You'd be hard-pressed to find a more dated wedding guest dressing rule than the one that claims you shouldn't wear black. Take one look at the black dress Dakota Johnson is wearing to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding at Madison Square Garden, and the word "mourning" (which is where the "rule" comes from) will be the last thing to come to mind. In fact, Dakota's black dress is the perfect example of what you should wear to a wedding in 2026, as it's one of the most elegant dress trends of the year, and is simultaneously timeless.

The trend I'm referring to is a high-neck halter dress. Johnson's wedding guest dress appears to feature a long scarf that ties at the back of the neck as well as a high slit, both adding to the drama of the semi-sheer dress. With the elegant dress she chose to attend her close friend's wedding on this very hot day, Johnson opted for a studded Valentino flap shoulder bag and a pair of satin stiletto mule sandals with an oversized bow. No notes.

Scroll on to see Dakota Johnson's elegant black halter-neck dress for Travis and Taylor's wedding, and shop similar styles for the weddings on your calendar (or any other special occasion).

Dakota Johnson en Route to Travis and Taylor's Wedding

On Dakota Johnson: Valentino bag

Shop Elegant Black Halter-Neck Dresses

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more dated wedding guest rule than the one that claims you shouldn't wear black. Take one look at the black dress Dakota Johnson is wearing to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding at Madison Square Garden today, and the word "mourning" (which is where the "rule" comes from) will be the last thing to come to mind. In fact, Johnson's black dress is the perfect example of what you should wear to a wedding in 2026, as it's one of the most elegant dress trends of the year and is simultaneously timeless.

The trend I'm referring to is a high-neck halter dress. Johnson's wedding guest dress appears to feature a long scarf that ties at the back of the neck as well as a high slit, both adding to the drama of the semisheer dress. With the elegant dress she chose to attend her close friend's wedding on this very hot day, Johnson opted for a studded Valentino flap shoulder bag and a pair of satin stiletto mule sandals with an oversize bow. No notes.

Scroll on to see Dakota Johnson's elegant halter-neck black dress for Swift and Kelce's wedding and shop similar styles for the weddings and other special occasions on your calendar.

Dakota Johnson En Route to Swift and Kelce's Wedding

On Dakota Johnson: Valentino dress and shoes; Valentino Garavani Spike bag

Shop Elegant Halter-Neck Black Dresses

If your summer moodboard leans more sleek minimalist than eclectic grandpa, then you might want to bookmark Daisy Edgar-Jones’s latest look.

Skipping over the bubble hem dresses and attention-grabbing shades that have dominated this spring, the actor instead built her outfit around an eternally chic little black dress. Clean, simple and completely unfussy, it served as the perfect '90s minimalist-inspired foundation for her pared-back summer styling.

In another smart styling move, Daisy also swerved the technicoloured jelly sandals that are everywhere right now, opting instead for a timeless pair of beige square-toe heels. Chic, without trying too hard.

Free from excessive colour, embellishment or frills, this classic dress-and-heel pairing has an innate elegance that works time and time again. For anyone drawn to minimalist dressing, there are few combinations that deliver the same level of polish while still feeling relaxed and undone.

Poised, polished and uncomplicated, read on to discover the best black minidresses and beige heels to shop now.

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I know that a black dress isn't groundbreaking, but even the most stylish person can use some fresh inspiration on how to wear the everlasting closet staple. Some may even be in need of a black dress refresh, plus some new ideas as to what to add to their outfit rotations. Anything to make getting ready even easier. Regardless, I feel strongly that you or your fashionable friends will appreciate my curated list of the best black dresses right now, as well as the outfit ideas I pulled to get you inspired on how to wear them in 2026.

Ahead, you can shop my handpicked list of black dresses as well as six standout looks from fashion people in a chic option of their own. I found some stellar picks from retailers like Nordstrom, H&M, Revolve, and Zara in a range of lengths, silhouettes, and fabrics that can easily be worn to a variety of occasions. No matter your personal style, we can all agree that there is nothing like an effortless, versatile piece with endless styling possibilities.

Keep scrolling to shop the best black dresses right now and to check out the visual outfit inspiration I added throughout.

Shop Chic Black Dresses for 2026

It's the month of love, so I'm here to make sure you're aware of all the cute things that'll make treating yourself that much easier. As a plus-size fashion editor, I'm constantly on the hunt for great finds, so I've highlighted a handful of recent plus-size dresses, lingerie, shoes, and more to help you get dressed for any date nights and more coming your way this year.

In the mix of beautiful finds, you'll see a few pieces from Anthropologie, Eloquii, Dolce Vita, ASOS, among other brands. I've been pleasantly surprised by some of these designs. I could seriously mistake a few for expensive-looking finds. Keep scrolling to unlock a few plus-size fashion items worth paying attention to.

After a long hiatus from wearing dresses, I’m just now getting back into them. I want to incorporate chicer silhouettes into my personal style but without appearing as though I’m trying too hard. The little black dress is the perfect piece to help me achieve this. It’s a sleek, elegant, and easy item to style and a great go-to for a night out without overthinking your look.

While the black dress is such a timeless piece, I’m leaning toward looking less dated and more 2026. I’m suggesting classy, modern, and effortless silhouettes to avoid looking drab. I’m leaving much behind in the name of New Year’s resolutions, and looking not quite put-together must be avoided at all costs. I’ve been on the hunt for the best little black dresses that feel just right for 2026. Through my daily site scrolls, I’ve found 25 of the perfect selections for every type of modern dresser this year.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect black dress that doesn’t look dated, trust me and keep scrolling to find the best ones.

There's so much to love about awards season style: the new-season designs, daring silhouettes and over-the-top embellishments make for endlessly entertaining red carpet coverage. Yet, more often than not, I walk away from a post-show deep dive without feeling inspired to translate anything into my own wardrobe. I’m rarely tempted by the naked dress trend that has dominated the style set season after season, nor am I inclined toward puffball dresses layered in sequins and tulle. While I can admire these bold choices in others, they certainly never feel like me.

This year's Golden Globes, however, was quite the opposite. Gone were the sheer metallics and novelty details. Instead, the evening’s best-dressed celebrities were largely swathed in enduringly elegant black

Ayo Edibiri wears Chanel, styled by Danielle Goldberg.

A conveyor belt of elegant black dresses, some stars leaned towards gothic silhouettes à la Miley Cyrus in her sparkle-adorned Saint Laurent gown or Jenna Ortega's Dilara Findikoglu's ensemble. Whilst others evoked classic Hollywood glamour through draping and texture.

Miley Cyrus wears Saint Laurent.

What really struck me was how ranging and personality-packed the looks remained, despite their pared-back hue. And as someone who loves minimalist dressing and investing in pieces I know I’ll wear for years, this felt like a little red carpet gift to my inspiration board.

Jenna Ortega's wears Dilara Findikoglu dress, Christian Louboutin shoes, Simone Jewels jewellery, styled by Enrique Melendez.

Let’s be real: experimenting with colour is fun, but if you want a move that always looks chic, black wins every time. Transcends trends—what looks chic today will still feel relevant in ten years—there's a reason LBDs remain such a hero buy.

Mia Goth wears Dior.

As last night's red carpet attendees proved: you don’t need metallics, neons, or insane embellishments to make an impact. Read on to discover the chicest black dresses to shop right now.

Ariana Grande wears a custom Vivienne Westwood dress, Swarovski jewellery, styled by Law Roach.

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In my experience, the party-peppered months of November and December can be some of the trickiest to shop for—especially if you consider yourself a timeless dresser. With micro-trends dominating the landscape each year, it becomes all too easy to distinguish one festive wardrobe from the next. Prints shift, embellishments evolve, and suddenly last year’s “it” dress feels oddly timestamped. As someone who prioritises pieces that will stand the test of time, I often find myself stuck in a seasonal style stalemate.

That's why I was so inspired when I came across a shot of Margot Robbie this week wearing the timeless party-ready dress trend I know will hold up for years to come. Echoing the cool tailoring trend that continues to endure, blazer dresses return every festive season without fail. In particular, the Wardrobe.NYC x Rosie Huntington-Whiteley black blazer dress has reemerged as a favourite among fashion people once again.

Taking hers out for a spin just this week, I spotted Margot styling the collarless blazer dress with tall black leather heels and a black Chanel Flap Bag. With its clean lines and tailored structure, the black minidress takes its cues from classic tailoring, exuding a naturally polished energy that does the styling work for you. As Margot demonstrated, minimal accessories and a monochromatic palette only elevate its refined appeal.

Designed as part of her ongoing collaboration with Wardrobe.NYC, naturally, Rosie has sported the timeless dress on a number of evening occasions, too. True to her luxurious aesthetic, she often leans into sleek, tonal styling—her leather blazer and black fishnet tights offering one of the chicest interpretations of the trend I’ve seen.

And it isn’t just celebrities taking note. I recently spotted influencer @nlmarilyn layering hers over a black column skirt and finishing with a structured hat, whilst others have kept things classic, opting for sheer black tights and pointed-toe heels for an elegant and refined finish.

While the Wardrobe.NYC version is having a moment; the high street and designer offerings are just as compelling this season. From H&M and Mango’s neatly tailored takes to Valentino’s sculptural, evening-ready iteration, the blazer dress is firmly cemented as one of the season's most sophisticated party-season staples.

Read on to shop my edit of the best blazer dresses to see you through the festive circuit for many years to come.

Shop the Wardrobe.NYC X Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Blazer Dress:

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The City of Lights has played host to many a style icon throughout its storied history: Marie Antoinette and her rococo extravagance, Josephine Baker and her ostentatious showgirl wardrobe, Audrey Hepburn and her beatnik chic…

Now, during the early part of Paris Fashion Week, legendary supermodel Kate Moss has taken it upon herself to prove exactly why the French capital is the perfect place for stylish dressers to shine. No stranger to making her well-adored wardrobe items the centrepiece of a memorable outfit—including the Levi’s 501s she wore on repeat whilst off-duty in the ‘90s, the Wellington boots that made regular appearances at Glastonbury during the early 2000s or even her vintage Hermès bag that she recently took to the beach in Formentera, Moss’s latest appearance relied upon a very simple formula.

However, it was the way she leaned into the effortless sensuality and refined elegance synonymous with the city that truly made me stop in our tracks.

Of course, I'm referring to the way the 51-year-old transformed a humble LBD into something far more sophisticated by teaming it with a pair of black tights and chic, round-toe heels. She stepped out in this look whilst running errands in the 1st arrondissement: checking into The Ritz in Place Vendôme, attending a fitting at Tom Ford’s atelier and enjoying the sights after attending Saint Laurent’s spring/summer 2026 collection on Monday evening. On the latter, it appears she took styling cues from Anthony Vaccarello’s latest collection for the house, as the Belgian designer also presented a slew of vampy looks paired with lighter stockings and humble pumps.

And whilst a luxe monochromatic outfit like this seems in keeping with what one would pack to wear in Paris, what surprised me the most was the way she switched out her higher-denier tights for a pair that was on the sheer side. In the past, I’ve almost omitted wearing anything under a 40, erroneously thinking they wouldn’t make an impact. But what Kate has proven here is that there’s a subtle sophistication in exercising restraint and not going too bold with your hoisery this season.

Those who have found themselves asking, "Whatever happened to glamour?" will be happy to hear me salute Kate in her act of dressing suitably for the occasion—and the location. With party season and colder weather approaching, it’s also never felt more relevant to lean into the fun of dressing up for the hell of it. Who knew all it took was throwing on a pair of tights that have been in your underwear drawer since secondary school? I am in no way suggesting that you reach for this pair, however, so consider this an invitation to upgrade your collection and shop my edit of the chicest black tights currently available below.

Shop Kate Moss's Look:

If anyone has mastered the art of putting together a chic, '90s-inspired outfit, it's Jennifer Aniston, one of the many well-dressed women who inspired the easily-recognizable aesthetic back in her Friends days. While the '90s are long over, Aniston hasn't forgotten how to make simple pieces look elegant and elevated in that '90s way. She proved so on Tuesday night when she attended an after-party for the premiere of The Morning Show's new season at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan, wearing an ensemble straight out of the era. Actually, all throughout the press tour for the show, she has utilized a specific '90s outfit combination for her looks, and yes, it's just as effective now as it was back then. Her styling trick? Pairing black dresses with barely-there strappy sandals.

What makes the duo so effective is how simple and timeless it is. Any black dress style will do, whether it's a strapless gown like the Rick Owens one she wore to the show's actual premiere or the V-neck, knee-length alt she changed into afterward. By going for super-clean heeled sandals (a custom Jimmy Choo pair with one toe strap and another slingback strap), she maintained an air of stress-free, effortless sophistication that perfectly describes street style from the decade.

On Jennifer Aniston: custom Jimmy Choo shoes

Aniston isn't the only one who knows how foolproof a black dress and strappy black sandals are. On the same night, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley was spotted outside Brasserie Zédel in London wearing a similarly '90s-esque look to the Elle Style Awards. For the occasion, the model chose a black Burberry minidress with a square neckline and V-shaped hem from the brand's F/W 25 collection. With it, she carried Burberry's Bridle Clutch, wore a selection of jewelry items from Tiffany & Co., and completed the night-out look perfectly with a pair of Aquazzura strappy black sandals.

On Rosie Huntington-Whiteley: Burberry dress and Bridle Clutch ($1995); Aquazzura shoes; Tiffany & Co. jewelry

Clearly, the combo is foolproof if a '90s look is what you're going for, whether you're heading to a red carpet event, a night out, or a dinner date. Whatever black dress you choose, your outfit will fall into place when paired with black strappy sandals. Trust me—it works every time.

Candidly, I’m not always a dress type of girl. In fact, I haven’t worn one in a year. My body has fluctuated so often during that time that I didn’t want to commit to purchasing a lovely new dress if it wasn’t going to fit me properly just a month later. Lately, I’ve been more likely to slip on a skirt with a very oversize T-shirt, but I want to change that. I’ve learned that our bodies—especially in our twenties—are going to keep fluctuating. I’ve made my peace with that fact and have learned to love every version of my body.

With that being said, fall is around the corner, plans have been made, trips have been booked, wedding season is far from over, and I need a couple of new options. Reformation’s new arrivals and end-of-season sale that’s currently going on have changed my anti-dress attitude after just a few scrolls through the site. The brand’s wide range of options instantly reminded me that I can wear one for any occasion and any reason. I came across tons of elegant, elevated styles that are exactly what I’m looking for in a dress.

From wedding guest dresses to casual, everyday styles, I scoured Reformation for the best options for an array of scenarios. It’s going to be difficult not to hit checkout on all 37 of these selections, but at least I narrowed the offerings down significantly.

If you’re in the market for a new dress as well, keep scrolling to shop the ones I’d choose after avoiding them for approximately 365 days.

Shop Reformation's Best Dresses

I’ve long considered the black dresses in my wardrobe to be amongst the hardest-working pieces I own. From office hours to evening plans, they’ve seen every occasion that I have. Over time, I’ve noticed a bit of personal hierarchy emerge; favourites that I instinctively reach for again and again. Lately, the pieces at the very top share one special trait: elegant lace detailing.

With the lace-trim trend bubbling up over the past few months, it’s no surprise that my lace-adorned black dresses are pulling more than their fair share of the weight right now. And I’m clearly not alone in this newfound obsession. Just this week, Victoria Beckham stepped out in a little black dress with the very same elevated twist.

Spotted enjoying lunch outdoors, Beckham wore a breezy black number with delicate lace tracing its edges. The fine detailing gave the dress a lightness that balanced the summer heat, keeping the all-black look fresh and airy rather than heavy. Later that same day, she stepped out for a boat trip in the very same dress, making a case for the growing trend's versatility. Whilst black dresses are reliable, they're not always the most exciting thing to wear; this small addition, however, totally changes that.

It struck me that, without the lace trim, the design might have slipped under the radar. Instead, that pretty embellishment entirely elevated it. Whilst Beckham showed how perfect it can be for sunny afternoons, I can just as easily imagine it for a formal evening out, or styled with knee-high boots to carry it into autumn.

If you’re equally tempted by the easy elegance of this trend, keep scrolling to shop my edit of the best black lace dresses to invest in now.

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Believe it or not, one of the most prominent themes on the F/W 25 runways was lingerie—lingerie that's more classy than risqué, that is. Many of the boudoir-inspired looks that graced the runways of Chloé and Miu Miu (among others) were elegant and had a cool-girl vintage quality about them. Specifically, one of the trends to stem from this fall aesthetic is lace-trimmed dresses. Think of silky nightgowns that you can wear outside. And one of the early adopters of the trend is Kaia Gerber, who just wore a black dress in this style to dinner with Karlie Kloss in Malibu. I wouldn't say the trend is all that surprising, given the popularity of lace-trimmed skirts and lace-trimmed shorts this year, but the dress trend feels fresh nonetheless.

Something I think we can all agree on is that L.A. girls love a pretty dress trend, and Gerber, whose style I would describe as pretty, is likely to inspire many others to start shopping for a lace-trimmed dress of their own. She opted for a short-sleeve black midi dress adorned with white lace trim and a black bow at the bust, which she paired with her go-to white Repetto ballet pumps. Another It girl, Bella Hadid, also recently wore a nightgown-inspired Mango dress in L.A., and yet another L.A. It girl, Devon Lee Carlson, just wore a pretty lace-trimmed dress of her own to celebrate her birthday. All signs point to lace-trimmed lingerie dresses being one of the biggest trends of the season. Keep scrolling to shop one for yourself.

On Kaia Gerber: Chanel bag; Repetto White Camille Heels ($361)

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It's summer in East Hampton, so of course, Gucci had a star-studded party that everyone in fashion wanted an invite to. The host? Emily Ratajkowski, who doubled as the best dressed attendee at the soirée, which took place on Saturday at the Maidstone Hotel and Restaurant. Ratajkowski and company made the trek to the far side of Long Island to celebrate the model and author's new GG monogram campaign with Gucci—specifically the Gucci Giglio handbag, which debuted at the Italian house's cruise 2026 show in Florence back in May. She carried the oversize monogram tote earlier in the day before switching to an evening-appropriate Mini GG Handbag.

If I'm being honest, though, it wasn't her choice of handbag that caught my eye when I saw her "night in the Hamptons" ensemble. Rather, it was Ratajkowski's decision to swap the locale's usual light-washed linen aesthetic for a '90s vibe. Her look wasn't "Hamptons" at all. Instead, she donned a high-neck LBD with the highest slit, well, ever and styled it with a pair of ankle-strap patent-leather sandals with a sky-high heel made to look like silver bamboo. She even finished off the look with a pair of tiny black sunglasses, another staple of '90s fashion.

On Emily Ratajkowski: Gucci Mini GG Handbag ($1950), Silk Crêpe Dress With Embroidery ($3980), and Leather Sandals ($1160)

Whether you're heading to the Hamptons before summer ends or just desire an alternative to all things linen dresses and flip-flops, EmRata's ensemble is a perfect jumping-off point. And no, you don't have to get the look at Gucci (unless you want to). My advice? Splurge on a Gucci monogram bag and then get the model's '90s dress and heels at a lower price. That's the best thing about '90s fashion—it's simple, so you can pair pricey pieces with affordable ones, and no logo will give you away.

Keep scrolling to shop my favorite alternatives that will give off Ratajkowski's elegant '90s energy.

Get EmRata's look for less:

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