The Essential Black Dress

Style Theory: When in doubt I often reach for the safety of a black dress for an event. They are always flattering, can be matched with any accesssories and always look chic and understated.

Images via pinterest

So versatile and timeless, the black dress is the perfect fall-back dress in your wardrobe and works for every season. Over the past 10 years my black dress hemlines have got longer but I always tend to buy ones with fairly high necks as they suit me shape better and I wear them again and again. 

Here is my selection of the best on the high street now:

&Other Stories Pom Pom dress £55

This is a great, light cotton, comfortable dress. It is one of those dresses that works just as well with flats as with heels. It does crush but as the fabric has a slight pattern in it you can get away with it crushing a little throughout the day. It also comes in cream, I know I will wear this non-stop and it hides my mum tum perfectly! Fits true to size.

This dress is a great cover up piece, I love feeling comfortable at an event, top arms covered, and legs..makes me feel unselfconscious...

&Other Stories Broderie Anglais £65

A beautiful, delicate but structured dress. I love the broderie look on the arms, will provide arm coverage whilst looking interesting and extremely pretty.

Zara Cape Sleeve Tie Neck Dress £69.99

The cape detail of the sleeve on this dress is very 2015, I would wear with high black/tan strappy sandals M&S ghillie sandals look fab on.

Mango Fringed Dress £49.99

Fringing is on trend this season and this dress is a perfect way to wear it. Would look amazing with the mango strappy, flat sandals, a cool boho look for holiday. Add a large straw bag and some fine gold jewellery and it will look beach to bar perfection.

Next Boho Dress £26

An easy to wear lightweight jersey dress. Great for throwing over a bikini/swimsuit on holiday.

Topshop Plunge Neck Dress £40

Balance out the midi length of this dress with a plunge neck. I had one of these from French Connection many years ago and it was so flattering. Pointed court shoes make this dress look super sophisticated.

M&S Sleeveless Maxi Dress £52

Chic and glamorous, the black maxi dress is endlessly useful. Dress up with chunky gold bangles piled high, gold boho drop earrings and high strappy tan or black sandals. By day wear with flat sandals and fine gold jewellery, add a coloured bag for a pop of colour.

Warehouse Gypsy Style Dress Midi Dress £28

An easy to wear, un-expensive dress, will make an impact when dressed up with heels and accessorised with gold/silver clutch bag.

H&M Embroidered Dress £59.99

This is a little short but I love the embroidery detail, it is stunning. A great holiday piece and wear in the winter with black opaque tights and knee high 70s style tan boots.

I could go on forever, I do love a black dress, I have kept all of mine (since I was 18) as I wear them again and again (the ones I can still squeeze into!)

Do you have a favourite black dress? Do you tend to go for the safety of black when attending a function? As always I would love to hear your thoughts and comments, have a great hopefully sunny weekend Frances xx