31 Black Dresses That Are Actually Wedding Appropriate
Well, it's July, which means I'll have at least one friend in Italy for a wedding for the foreseeable future—all requiring outfit recommendations for what are promising to be both extremely chic and extremely sweaty events. The dress codes range from cocktail to black tie to garden party, with weather forecasts landing anywhere from uncomfortably hot to full-blown heat wave.
Between this sticky humidity and the fact that we love things we can wear on repeat, I'm here to remind everyone that you absolutely have permission to wear black to weddings. So long as you're staying respectful of dress codes, cultural traditions, and requests from the couple, black is fantastic for weddings, and if you don't enjoy laughing at your fashion time capsules, it's excellent to wear in photos that will undoubtedly reemerge on whatever social media looks like in the decades to come. Since we're in the thick of the season, what better time for a roundup of black dresses that are perfectly appropriate for wedding guests? (I also strongly support non-dress looks for weddings, but we'll save that for a future story.)
A dress that will save you from even the most ambiguous dress code.
I love the top version of this ruched SIR dress, which is perfect for a coastal wedding.
A silhouette for anyone who just can't with this heat.
Reformation x Laura Harrier should tell us everything we need to know.
Ideal for a less formal wedding and then for so many future occasions.
A longtime Australian go-to brand for occasion dresses you'll wear more than once.
Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and contributing fashion editor. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects across fashion, luxury, beauty, home, and travel.
-
Elegant, Rich Looking, and Pretty to a Fault: Meet the Trend Fashion People Are Losing It Over
Myself included.
By Eliza Huber
-
I Want a Rich-Looking Wardrobe—33 Perfect Picks FromReplica Store's (Early) Black Friday Sale
Get a head start with these chic gems.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
I'm Manifesting Chic Winter Outfits—30 Affordable and Stylish Walmart Finds That Fit the Bill
Cheap *and* cheerful.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
I'm a Professional Shopper—30 Elegant Picks I'm Eyeing From Mango, COS, andReplica Store
These are too chic to pass up.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
These 32 Elegant Fall Dresses Look Incredibly Chic With Boots
A perfect match.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
My Friend Wants a Chic Wardrobe—I Sent Her These Early Black Friday Fashion Deals
Discounted gems fromReplica Store, Zara, J.Crew, and more.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
These 25 Incredibly Chic Sale Picks From Revolve Scream Fashion Person
These cool-girl picks are bound to sell out fast.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
I'm Manifesting Rich Vibes for Fall—31 Expensive-LookingReplica Store Sale Finds That Fit the Bill
Don't sleep on these under-$150 gems.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes