15 Best Little Black Dresses for 2023
Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services.
When it's time to go out on the town, who doesn't adore a sleek and chic little black dress? We use the iconic term to describe the black frocks which make Us feel the most fabulous — predominantly thanks to the slimming nature of dark materials. But a true LBD can take on many different forms! Contrary to popular belief, they don't always have to be short and sweet styles. An LBD can range from flowy, casual pieces to elevated gowns. What matters most is that the fit is flattering and makes you feel like a million bucks. What's better than that?
With that said, we embarked on a thorough search to find the absolute best little black dresses in every category we could think of. Whether you want an everyday basic or a special formal gown, we've rounded up a wide variety of garments you're bound to fall in love. Scroll on to see which of the best little black dresses to shop for in 2023!
Best Minimalist Style: Open Edit Wear Two Ways Knit Midi Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Sleek and simple
Loose and casual fit
Easy to wear
Pros
Wearable on both sides
Soft stretch-knit fabric
Figure-flattering
Great sizing options
Cons
Fewer reviews
Reversible styles are always winners! You can wear this dress either as a crewneck or switch it around for a deep-V neckline. The frock is very straightforward, but that's what makes it so effortlessly chic. You can rock it from day to night with ease!
Best Basic Dress: Roxy Good Keepsake Tank Midi Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Soft, stretchy material
Bodycon fit
Criss-cross back with cutout detail
Pros
Basic everyday style
Comfortable
Cons
A bit expensive
Tank dresses like this one are a staple in our year-round wardrobes, but what makes this particular style special is the adorable back! There's a criss-cross detail and a small cutout which shows a touch of skin and also gives this dress some added breathability.
Best Show-Stopping Dress: Betsy & Adam Ruffle Halter Crepe Gown
Our Top Highlights:
Dramatic ruffle detail
Flattering fit
Elegant high neckline
Pros
Slimming
High-quality
On sale
Cons
More expensive
If you have a black tie event or formal affair on the calendar, this is the ideal frock to rock! We're obsessed with the ruffle detail along the hem which gives you a flamenco vibe, plus the high slit which beautifully shows off some leg. This is the type of dress that's guaranteed to turn heads!
Best Structured Design: HOUSE OF CB Charmaine Corset Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Built-in corset boning
Glamorous old Hollywood look
Curve-hugging silhouette
Pros
Structured design
Great reviews
Comfortable stretch material
Cons
Expensive
Corsets have been used for centuries to create a classic feminine silhouette, but they're undoubtedly uncomfortable. With this dress, you get the same effect but in a much comfier package! The boning sewn into the garment emphasizes an hourglass look, and it's seriously easy to wear too!
Best Halter Style: Steve Madden Briella Halter Cotton Midi Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Boho-chic design
Breathable
Loose, comfortable fit
Pros
Super affordable
Flowy design
Adjustable tie back
Cons
May not fit well for larger busts
Easy, breezy, beautiful! These are the best three words to describe the nature of this dress. It's totally made for the summer and you can make it look as casual or as formal as you want.
Best Ruched Style: Treasure & Bond Ruched Side Sleeveless Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Slimming, ruched design
Comfortable
Perfect moderate length
Pros
Super flattering
Affordable
Breathable material
Cons
Very slightly sheer
This dress is a must-have basic for any wardrobe! Although it's simple, it's the ruching on the sides which makes it stand out from the pack. This detail gives you a slimming effect which can help give you a sleeker silhouette!
Best Sundress: ASTR the Label Off the Shoulder A-Line Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Ultra-feminine design
Flattering
Breathable linen material
Pros
Comfortable
Lightweight
Versatile
Cons
Fewer reviews
This dress draws inspiration from the TikTok-approved prairie girl trend, but because it's made in black, there's more versatility at play! You can wear this dress in the daytime for brunch or picnics just as easily as you can wear it out for a fancy dinner.
Best One-Shoulder Style: Dress the Population Tiffany One-Shoulder Midi Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Stunning design
Waist-cinching fit
Comfortable stretch material
Pros
Great reviews
Easy to wear
Flattering
Cons
A bit pricy
Did someone say date night? If you have an anniversary coming up or just want to wear something extra special for a romantic evening on the town, this is the perfect dress to wear. We can already tell how confident we'll feel in it!
Best Long-Sleeve Style: ANRABESS Women's Deep V Neck Long Sleeve Maxi Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Elegant vibe
Comfortable knit material
Flattering empire-waist style
Pros
Soft and stretchy
High side slit
Slimming silhouette
Cons
Thin material
On chillier days or nights, a long-sleeve maxi dress like this one can keep you warm! Although there's more coverage, the material is still super lightweight, so you won't feel like you're suffocating. Shoppers say they absolutely adore the fit of this frock!
Best Off-the-Shoulder Style: Sarin Mathews Off The Shoulder Cocktail Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Beautiful off-the-shoulder neckline
Fit-and-flare style
High-low hemline
Pros
Slimming silhouette
Thick material
#1 bestseller
On sale
Cons
None to report!
This dress has racked up over 30,000 reviews on Amazon, and it's safe to say that well over 90% of shoppers have awarded it five stars! They love it so much because of how flattering the cut of the dress is. There isn't a single body type this dress wouldn't work for!
Best Vintage Style: GRACE KARIN Women's 50s Vintage Pencil Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Classic silhouette
Versatile
Figure-flattering
Pros
Comfortable stretch material
Extensive size options
Incredible reviews
Affordable
Cons
None to report!
We're definitely feeling the retro vibes from this amazing dress! It's extremely fitted and creates a beautiful hourglass shape that '50s fashion was all about. The "simple yet elegant" design is ideal for every type of setting, whether you're headed to work or going out for drinks!
Best Cutout Style: Pink Queen Women's Cutout Midi Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Slimming center cutout
Figure-flattering fit
Comfortable feel
Pros
Super affordable
Glowing reviews
Side slit
Cons
Thin material
Shoppers urge everyone thinking about buying this dress to go for it — instantly! The fit is slimming thanks to the cutout at the waist which gives you a cinched look, and it's seriously comfortable to boot. Wearing this dress will make you look chic without even trying — goals!
Best Multi-Way Dress: 72styles Infinity Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Multiple different ways to wear the dress
Dramatic floor length
Comfortable flattering fit
Pros
10 different neckline styles
Amazing reviews
Two universal sizes (regular and plus)
Cons
Thin material
Talk about versatility! You can adjust and tie this dress in 10 different ways, so you're essentially getting a 10-in-one garment. Shoppers say it takes some practice to figure out how to nail each style, but once you have it down, the options are truly endless!
Best Office-Appropriate Style: Fekermia Women's Button Down Shirt Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Professional aesthetic
Modest style
Buttons all the way down the front
Pros
Comes with pockets
Matching tie-waist belt included
Comfortable
Cons
Fewer reviews
When shopping for work dresses, we prefer styles like this one which have more coverage. We don't want to show a ton of skin in a professional setting, and because of the button-up style, you can control the neckline and play up how much leg you want to show!
Best Boho Style: PRETTYGARDEN Women's Tiered Ruffle Maxi Dress
Our Top Highlights:
Classic boho style
Flowy feel
Super slimming
Pros
Universally flattering fit
Majority five-star reviews
On sale
Cons
May run small
Is there a better example of a classic summertime dress than this one? We don't think so! Styles like this one are always welcome in our wardrobes for the season, and it can easily transition into the fall too.
Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Check out these related product articles below:
Check out more of our picks and deals here!
See more Us Weekly Shopping
15 Best Bathing Suits That Will Make Your Legs Look So Much Longer
Princess Kate Wows in Emerald Green — Channel Her Look for 99% Less
This Healing Cream With 500+ Reviews Shows Skin Improvements in 2 Days
This post is brought to you by Us Weekly’s Shop With Us team. The Shop With Us team aims to highlight products and services our readers might find interesting and useful, such as wedding-guest outfits, purses, plus-size swimsuits, women's sneakers, bridal shapewear, and perfect gift ideas for everyone in your life. Product and service selection, however, is in no way intended to constitute an endorsement by either Us Weekly or of any celebrity mentioned in the post.
The Shop With Us team may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. In addition, Us Weekly receives compensation from the manufacturer of the products we write about when you click on a link and then purchase the product featured in an article. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product or service is featured or recommended. Shop With Us operates independently from the advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback at ShopWithUs@usmagazine.com. Happy shopping!
