How to Dress Down a Black Dress to Make It More Wearable!
I have a black dress (or nine?!) that doesn’t get enough wear simply because black seems to be more dressy in my mind. But practically, I know it can be dressed down. So I decided to explore the many ways to do that. I’m sharing with you what I came up with. I have around 30 ideas below for how to dress down a black dress!
A black dress is basic and functional. Age doesn’t matter because a black dress fits all ages, sizes, seasons and occasions.
It can be layered or bundled for warmth in fall and winter. In spring and summer, casual accessories are the key to a laid-back look. The following ideas for how to dress down a black dress start with warm-weather outfits and gradually transition to cold-weather outfits towards the end.
How to Dress Down a Black Dress
- If you have a black shirt dress, wear it over your bikini or swimsuit. Add flip flops and a straw bag. Accessorize with simple gold jewelry.
- Another way to dress down a black shirt dress is by wearing it over jeans or casual pants.
- Accessorize a black dress for summer with gold jewelry and/or light wooden beads + a straw bag + tan slip-ons mules, preferably crocheted or perforated.
- Top a black dress with a kimono or duster.
- During warm weather, add flat sandals, a straw hat, a cord necklace and/or bracelet, beads and turquoise jewelry.
- Accessorize with hoop earrings, a long strand of metal & beads, a couple of matching bangles, flat tan sandals and a straw hat.
- By simply adding beads and summer sandals, your dress can go out on a casual day.
- Top your dress with a denim jacket.
- Wear a blouse or shirt over your dress open as a jacket, or closed and belt it.
- Layer with a sweatshirt, sweater, button-up shirt, t-shirt and/or a casual jacket any time of year. In cold weather, add tights & closed footwear + maybe a scarf, warm hat and fingerless gloves.
- Layer a tank or tee underneath the dress.
- Wear a loose, black dress over a long-sleeve t-shirt. Add a scarf or shawl around neck with ends crossed in front. Layer big necklaces/beads over the scarf/shawl. Add big, ornate earrings + a wideband (wide cloth headband.) You might like to put your hair up.
The easiest way to dress down a black dress: add casual footwear. Try chunky flat sandals, espadrilles, flip flops, sneakers, combat boots, Western boots, etc.
- Wear chunky flat sandals with your dress. Keep it simple with no jewelry and your hair down. If cool, add tights.
- Add to a short black dress: tights + flats or kitten heels + a cuff bracelet.
- A long black dress + a duster + a statement ethnic necklace + combat boots.
- Along with Western boots, dress down your dress with turquoise and coral jewelry.
- A black maxi dress + combat boots.
- Wear riding boots with your dress. Add an infinity scarf, a wide belt and a wristband.
- Add a cap, boots and mismatched earrings to a black sweater dress. Or, warm up with a beanie.
- Cinch in a loose black dress with a narrow belt. Add tights & booties + a big, colorful bracelet + cream-color or small crystal earrings.
- Add a blazer over your dress. You might like to belt the jacket. Wear tall boots and maybe a scarf.
- Top a short black dress with a shawl in your favorite color. Wear accessories that match the shawl and a scarf around your head if you like. Add black tights and flat black ankle boots.
- You can even dress down a black cocktail dress by sliding a black turtleneck underneath. Then belt it in black and add black boots.
- A biker jacket is always a good coverup for wherever you go.
- For a family gathering: Dress it down by belting a cardigan over it and adding knee-high boots or sneakers.
- Stroll through your neighborhood or local downtown area, morning or evening, in a black t-shirt dress and walking shoes.
Let’s Connect!
I hope this was helpful to you. I’d love to hear what you think. Please leave a reply in the comments below!
Like this post? You might like to find more inspiration from:
- “Over 50 Black Outfits to Wear Spring & Summer: For the Goth & New Yorker in You!”
- “How to Look Good in Black When It’s Not Your Color”
- “How to Make All Black or All White Look Special”
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Angie
I have a couple of black dresses that I really like. One of them I keep forgetting to wear. I need to dig it out and make sure it’s gets worn this summer. Thanks for all the tips!
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I’m really glad to know that this was helpful and maybe even inspiring to you! Thanks for leaving your feedback. <3
Black dresses are the most versatile piece of clothing. These are fab ideas of how to get the most out of them!
It’s becoming more and more clear to me that we can wear just about anything we want every day because there are always ways to dress down!
I love this article! These are such chic ways to make a black dress into a more casual look! I really love the look that Michelle Pfeiffer is wearing– that leather jacket is fantastic with the black dress!
Thanks! I saw a lot of photos of celebrities wearing a black maxi dress in a casual way as they went about their day.