Black mini dresses

Every wardrobe needs a black mini dress, and most of us need a few. It is the little black dress in its most fun, leg-baring form: the one you reach for when you have nothing to wear, when you want to feel a bit sexy, or when you just cannot be bothered thinking about it. It always works, it goes with everything, and it never lets you down. Our black mini dress edit has every version, from slinky satin to pretty lace, in sizes 4 to 20. Free UK delivery over £135, so it lands well before the weekend.

Here's how to wear it out

The best thing about a black mini is how little it asks of you. For a night out, style it with strappy heels, a clutch bag and some gold jewellery, and you are ready. That is the whole outfit. Want a bit of edge? Throw a leather jacket over the top and swap to ankle boots. Going somewhere dressier? Add sparkly accessories and a good lip and let the dress carry it.

Because black goes with literally everything, styling is the easy part. A black mini works with gold or silver, with barely-there heels or chunky boots, with a slick of red lip or none at all. For a date, keep it simple and let the silhouette do its thing. For drinks after work, just change your shoes and add jewellery. And if you love a going out look but want to dress it down for day, throw on white trainers, a denim jacket and a tote, and it instantly reads casual. As for what to wear with it, our favourites are gold jewellery and heels for a classic night out, knee-high boots and a leather jacket for something edgier, and a blazer over the top when you want it more polished. The little black dress earns its reputation for a reason.

Sleek, sparkly, or sweet?

Here is where you pick your mood. Sleek: a satin or corset mini hugs in all the right places and feels grown-up and a bit sexy, perfect for dinner or a date. A strapless or halter cut bares the shoulders for warm nights, and a tight or A-line shape is just a matter of how fitted you like it. Sparkly: a sequin black mini is your party and NYE hero, the one that does all the work under low lighting. Sweet: lace softens the whole thing and leans romantic, lovely for a birthday or a pretty night out, and a black and white style adds a graphic, mod twist. For cooler weather a long sleeve black mini works, and a linen style keeps it easy in summer, so there really is a black mini for every season. 

More in black

Love a black dress? Black midi dresses and black maxi dresses take the hem down, black dresses gathers every black we have, and mini dresses has the short length in every other colour.