Black maxi dresses

If you only buy one dress this year, make it a black maxi dress. It is the hardest-working thing you will own: flattering on everyone, right for almost any occasion, and so easy to restyle that it never feels like the same dress twice. Dress it up, dress it down, layer it, accessorise it, and it just keeps giving. Our black maxi dress edit has every version you could want, from fluid satin and flowy styles to lace, tiered and halter cuts, in sizes 4 to 20. Free UK delivery over £100, because you probably need it for the weekend.

Dress it up, dress it down, repeat

Here is the thing about a black maxi: the dress is the easy part, the styling is where the fun is. For day, keep it relaxed. A plain black maxi with white trainers, a denim or oversized linen shirt thrown over the top, and a tote is all you need for errands, brunch or travel. Add sunglasses and gold hoops and you are done.

Want to dress it up? Swap the trainers for strappy heels, add a clutch and your best gold jewellery, and let the dress carry the look. A black maxi is honestly one of the easiest things to take from day to night, so if you are going straight from work to dinner, just change your shoes and add a lip. Layering is your best friend when it is cooler. A leather jacket gives it edge, a blazer makes it polished enough for the office, a trench keeps it elegant, and a chunky knit or denim jacket dresses it right down for the weekend. When it is properly cold, reach for a long sleeve black maxi with boots and tights. As for shoes, you really cannot go wrong: heeled sandals for occasions, ballet flats or trainers for day, knee-high boots for winter. Black goes with everything, which is exactly why it is so easy to wear.

How formal do you need it to go?

A black maxi covers everything, beach-casual right through to black-tie, and the fabric is what sets the tone. A cotton or linen maxi keeps things easy and breathable for daytime and holidays. A satin or silk maxi instantly reads dressier and catches the light for evening, while lace or a sequin style is your go-to when the dress code says formal or party. A tiered or flowy maxi feels romantic, and a halter or backless cut adds a little quiet drama up top. For a wedding, a black maxi is a chic, low-stress guest choice (just double-check it is not a strict no-black dress code first). Go formal in satin or lace, keep accessories gold and minimal, and you are good to go. 

Worth a look too

If black is your colour, black midi dresses and black mini dresses bring it to shorter lengths, and black dresses gathers every black we have. Chasing that maxi length in another shade? Maxi dresses has the lot.