![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F02a288a6-5166-495b-8ccd-d18b19567d3a_4433x2923.jpeg)
The fact that black isn’t often associated with summer is precisely what makes it such a great foil for accessories that are. This is a particularly helpful consideration if you, like me, live in an urban environment and want to spend the next two months wearing turquoise beads and straw totes and silk scarves and sandals without running the risk of looking too beach-y. Easy black dresses are a staple for me in that regard, which is why I get so much use out of the three pictured above. It doesn’t hurt that they also handily conceal sweat stains, and — with the right styling — are suitable for wearing throughout the shoulder seasons unlike many of their lighter-colored counterparts.
So what makes an ideal summery black dress? For starters, it needs to be made of cotton, linen, or a cotton / silk blend. It needs to be comfortable enough to wear on a day of doing errands around the city, or sightseeing in a foreign country. And it can’t look like something a banking analyst would wear to work. Keep scrolling for a market report with 27 (mostly secondhand) options that check all of these boxes.
Under $100
Vintage linen dress with embroidery and crochet details (size 1X, $33.60)
Los Angeles Apparel garment dyed tank dress (sizes XS - XL, $32)
Vintage 90s cotton dress (size S, $58)
Joseph cotton dress (size 2, $82.81)
Ralph Lauren cotton dress (size S, $50.99)
Non Signé / Unsigned cotton dress (size L, $80.30)
Vintage linen dress (size XS, $29)
Quince cotton gauze dress (sizes XS - XL, $59)
Vintage European cotton dress (size loose M or fitted L, $58)
Vintage 80s cotton dress (size XS, $36)
Under $200
COS cotton maxi dress (sizes XS - L, $135)
Dries Van Noten cotton dress (size 8, $121.87)
Matteau cotton dress (size XS, $171)
Vintage 1920s cotton dress (check measurements for sizing, $112.50)
Toteme cotton / silk dress (size 8, $133.10)
Doên cotton dress (this one is size L for $150 — also saw it here in a size M for $160)
Gap × Doên cotton eyelet dress (sizes M - XL are left, $128)
Vintage linen Max Mara Weekend dress (size 2, $140)
Marni cotton dress (size 6, $168)
J.Crew linen dress (sizes XXS - 3X, $168)
Under $301
Tory Burch cotton / silk dress (size 6, $220)
Merlette cotton dress (sizes XXS - XXL, $300)
Doên linen dress (sizes XXS - XXL, $298)
Chan Luu cotton / silk dress (one size, $298)
Courrèges cotton dress (size M, $230.90)
Marine Serre cotton dress (size S, $211.67)
Prada cotton dress (size 4, $242.45)
xo Harling
Graphic design by Paige Stewart Enslow.
I have several visible tattoos, so I love to wear black in the summer and let them be my main accessory! 😍
I love how you’ve styled yours with such “summer-y” accessories. I have some great black dresses but struggle with making them not feel so harsh. Will try with beads and patterned sandals this week!