Black Dresses

A great black dress is the hardest-working piece you can own. Wear it to the office, then add heels for dinner. Dress it up for a party or down for a weekend lunch. Our black dresses come in fitted pencil shapes, lace, sparkle, A-line midis and a draped maxi. Each one is designed and made in England, and cut to flatter.

Why black always works

Black is slimming, simple and easy to style. It suits every skin tone and almost every event. It also hides the odd mark on a long day.

The cut is what makes a black dress special. A good fit turns a plain colour into a strong look. That is where our pattern-cutting heritage, going back to 1985, really shows.

Black dresses for every mood

For work, try the Cynthia Long Sleeve Pencil Dress or the Cynthia 3/4 Sleeve Pencil Dress. Both are clean and smart. The Carolyn A-line Midi Length Dress is a softer option.

For evenings, lace adds texture. The Lovelock French Lace Sleeve Dress and the Diva Zermatt Lace Short Sleeved Black Pencil Dress with Belt Detail are elegant choices. See more in our lace dresses.

For parties, the Glitterati Midaxi Sparkle Dress and the Eve Metallica Dress bring shine. The Lyrical Off Shoulder Black Dress and the Othello Off-The-Shoulder Drape Maxi Dress show off the shoulders.

One black dress, many looks

  • Office: add a blazer and low court shoes.
  • Dinner: swap to heels and gold jewellery.
  • Wedding: add a bright coat, hat or shoes.
  • Weekend: wear with white trainers and a denim jacket.

Many styles here use Ripple Crepe. It is light, stretchy and keeps a deep colour. Our fabric guide has more on how each fabric behaves and how to care for it.

Looking for a softer dark shade? Our navy blue midi dresses are a gentle alternative. For formal events, see our evening dresses.

Choosing the right black dress for you

Think about where you will wear it most. For work, choose a plain fabric and a sleeve. For evenings, lace, sparkle or a bare shoulder feels special. For year-round use, a knee-length pencil is the most flexible.

If you only buy one, pick the style you could wear three different ways. That is real value.

Black dress FAQs

Will the black fade in the wash?

Follow the care label, and turn the dress inside out before washing. This helps keep the colour deep.

Can I wear a black dress to a wedding?

Yes, at most modern weddings. Add colour with your accessories to keep it celebratory.

Are your black dresses suitable for work?

Many are. Plain pencil and A-line styles are smart. Browse our work dresses for women for more.

What sizes do you offer?

Most styles run from S (UK 10) to XXL (UK 18). Each product page lists what is in stock.

EU Right of Withdrawal

Under EU consumer law, customers may withdraw from their purchase within 14 days of delivery.

When submitting a return request, you may select Other as the return reason.

You do not need to provide a reason when exercising your EU withdrawal rights.

Returns are not available after 14 days from delivery.