My one wardrobe stable, all year round, is the little black dress. With tights and boots in winter, and with pumps or heels in summer.
I know when I’m shopping for dresses myself, that recommendations weigh heavily on my mind (and my shopping cart). I’ve purchased many a dress because it looked amazing on a blogger I follow, so I figured I’d share some of my favourite brands.
These are some of my absolute favourite little black dresses, the ones I wear again and again and remain top of my ironing pile.
(I don’t really iron, who am I trying to kid here?)
I’ve tried, where possible, to pair the model photo or dress-photo with a photo of me actually wearing it too – so you can see what it looks like on a different body shape. And also how you might actually style it day-to-day Vs during a photoshoot.
Collectif Penny Pencil Dress
This dress is gorgeous, but holy crap, make sure you have some good shape-wear underneath! A nice pair of heels is all you need really, the neckline itself acts as the accessory. I felt it looked a bit too fussy when I put earrings or a necklace on top. Collectif are generally great for plus size dresses, so they’re always a brand I go back to.
Kiyonna Clothing
These guys are one of my favourite plus size brands for dresses (any dresses) but they do the little black dress especially well. I have all three of these and they all fit gorgeously, both on the bust and the waist. They’re a bit more expensive than what I’d usually buy, but I try and think of it as ‘price-per-wear’ and I get so much wear out of these beauties.
Left: Black Mesh Dress
Middle: Luna Lace Dress
Right: Scalloped Boudoir Lace Dress
Another Kiyonna dress, thisWhimsey Wrap dress is one I’ve worn so many times I can’t count. It can be dressed super casual (like below in San Francisco) or really dressed up too.
Lindy Bop
An unfailing choice from Lindy Bop – their Ophelia Dress is gorgeous in pretty much every colour. I don’t have a photo of me in the black version – but I do have a photo in the pink and black version (see below). This is one of those ‘LOOK AT YOUR BOOBS!’ dresses – so make sure you have a good bra on underneath!
V by Very
This Draped Wrap Dress from Very is a simple, easy choice and pretty much the standard ‘little black dress’. Lovely for a night out, and it’s one of those dresses you’ll end up wearing when nothing else looks quite right.
Pin Up Girl Clothing
Pin Up Girl Clothing (or PUG) is a designer brand in the US who specialise in vintage-reproduction. I am obsessed with this brand, their clothes are gorgeous and fit like a glove. It’s like being inducted into this secret clothing club, and you’ll start to know each dress by name, and start talking about dresses like they’re friends.
“Monica is so damn sexy, you know?”
“Oh yeah I love Monica, but don’t you think Heidi is better on a date?”
It goes on. Ask any PUG customer and she’ll back me up when I say the Monica dress is a miracle worker.
Another of my favourite dresses from PUG is the AVA dress, they do have this in plain colours – but I love the patterned ones best. This black with red roses is so lovely.
Phase Eight
When I’m after something casual or patterned (a patterned little black dress is my next favourite) then Phase Eight is the first place I check. The don’t sell my ultimate favourite anymore in black (far right) but they do have it in blue (nearly as good).
I find these dresses wear really well and last ages too.
Do you have any more little black dress recommendations? If so, tweet them to me!