The Best Black Dress

Buying Guide

The fashion word has Coco Chanel to thank for introducing one of the world’s most famous styles to a wider audience. In the mid-1920s, Vogue magazine published a sketch of Chanel’s black sheath dress—and soon after, the little black dress (or LBD) became a style icon. But before its haute couture debut, calf-length dresses were already a staple worn by middle-class women for centuries.

Now the dress is a chic, timeless wardrobe staple. It comes in an endless number of styles—from short and form-fitting to flowy and tunic-like—and is worn by individuals of all ages for various occasions, from the workplace to date night and parties. Sizes from range from petite to plus-size (tons of maternity options are also available) and the fabrics are just as varied, whether you’re a fan of soft cotton and polyester or elegant silk.

Black dresses are produced by myriad manufacturers, making them widely available and increasingly affordable. That means everyone can own a slice of the style Chanel made famous in the early 20th century. Here, our picks for top black dresses and how to find the best fit for your size and style.

Before washing your dress, always check its care tag for proper instructions. Some are machine washable, while others require handwashing or dry cleaning.

To keep your black clothing from fading to grey at home, Whirlpool suggests washing your garments inside out in cold water on a delicate cycle and using a low heat setting in the dryer or air drying.

When choosing the right size—x-small, medium, large, x-large, xx-large, etc.—it’s helpful to know your bust, waist and hip measurements, which you can easily record using a measuring tape (instructions and videos are available online if you need help). Compare those numbers to the dress manufacturers’ size charts to find the best fit.

If you’re purchasing dresses using Amazon Prime, it’s easy to have multiple black dresses shipped to your door so you can test out different sizes and styles. Since Prime members have access to convenient return policies, you can keep what you like and send whatever doesn’t fit back to sellers—but make sure to ensure your purchase qualifies for returns and Prime shipping.