Guides to the little black dress

Every good wardrobe starts with one black dress.

Independent guides on how to choose a little black dress that fits, how to style it for the office, dinner or a wedding, and how to keep it black for years.

Start with the guide

Black crepe dress on a wooden hanger beside a white wall, with black pumps on a cream rug

Find your starting point in one minute

Answer three questions about the look, the occasion and the fabric you need. The fit finder explains which cut and fabric to try first.

Open the fit finder

Latest guides

Three black garments in different fabrics laid out on light bedding

Style

Can you wear a black dress to a funeral?

Start with the family’s wishes, then choose an outfit you already own that suits the setting.

A woman in a black wrap dress sits at an outdoor café table beside a cup of coffee

Style

Can you wear black to a wedding?

Start with this wedding’s instructions, then decide whether your black dress fits.

Woman in a black wrap dress and denim jacket at a café table, coffee in front of her

Style

How to style a black dress for day, night and work

One black dress, five occasions. The jacket, the bag and the shoes do most of the work.

Three women in black dresses of mini, midi and maxi length, photographed from the knees down

Style

Black dress length guide: mini, midi and maxi

The hem is the fastest way to change a black dress from office to evening.

Macro photo of black crepe, satin and ribbed jersey swatches on a wooden table

Style

Black dress fabrics compared: crepe, jersey, ponte and silk

Black shows every fabric difference. Compare the options by what you need the dress to do.

Explore by topic

Style

How to choose, wear and adapt a black dress: cut, fabric, length, layers and hair.

Shoes and beauty

Shoes, makeup and finishing touches that make a black dress work for a specific occasion.

Care

Washing, storage and repair, so a black dress keeps its colour and shape for years.