Best Little Black Dress Reviews 2023

Little black dress! Synonymous with elegance. Dressed up or down, it still radiates sophistication, which is why every woman needs one in her closet. And because the color has been streamlined to black, you’d think choosing it will be easy. Not so. There are lots of options out there. Not to worry. We’ve done the tedious part and have selected five of the best little black dresses from five trusted brands. As you read our review, keep in mind that these brands have other products in the same category that you can check out if you want more options.
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Overview
PROS
CONS
SPECS
Type
Material
Length
Neckline
Sleeve Type
Our Top Choice
Le Château Knit Scoop Neck Shift Dress
Le Château is a large designer and retailer of premium and contemporary fashion apparel, footwears, and accessories for both men and women.
Elegant design. Trendy finish. Quality material. Great for work and dinner. Available in different sizes. Ruched design. Feels great on skin. Fits slim.
Even though this is a great dress, be sure to follow the cleaning instructions.
Shift
95% Polyester/5% Spandex
Knee-length
Scoop
Sleeveless
Best Value
Karen Kane Three-Quarter Sleeve A-Line Dress
Karen Kane started in 1979, and since then, it has been creating luxurious and trendy fashion wears for women encompassing different lifestyles.
Classic cut. Premium materials. Professional tailoring. ¾ sleeves. Available in 5 sizes. Flatters your figure. For various occasions.
Sizing is inaccurate, so you might have to take some measurements first.
A-line
92% Rayon/8% Spandex
Mini
Scoop
¾ sleeve
Calvin Klein Short Sleeve Pin Tuck Dress
Since 1968, Calvin Klein has been clothing women and men of style with premium, luxurious apparels cutting across different fashion styles and preferences.
Quality materials. Great tailoring. Beautiful design. Available in different sizes. Transparent detailing.
No real issues, but be sure to get the sizing right.
Sheath
95% Polyester/5% Spandex
Above the knee
High-cut with illusion
Cap sleeve
Maggy London 30s Crepe Fit & Flare Dress
Maggy London takes feminine fashion to a whole new level with its collection of beautiful dresses aimed at boosting the confidence and sexiness of every woman.
Quality materials. Comfortable lining. Beautiful detailing. Drapes beautifully.
No real complaints, but getting the right fitting is essential.
A-line
95% Polyester/5% Spandex
Knee-length
High neck
Sleeveless
PattyBoutik Boat Neck Crochet Inset Knit Dress
PattyBoutik offers every woman a chance to feel good and confident, regardless of size, with its graceful, yet sophisticated designs.
Excellent tailoring. Beautiful design. Quality materials. Comfortable and elegant. Available in different sizes. Versatile.
Getting the right size is a bit taxing.
Sheath
52%Cotton/35%Acrylic/13%Nylon
Knee length
Boat
Cap sleeves

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Watch Our Little Black Dress Review

What is the Best Little Black Dress?

You have all the information you need to go little black dress shopping. As you read our product review, be sure to keep an eye out for the features you like. That way, you can end up with the best black dress for you.
Our Top Choice
Flaunt your figure and radiant skin in the Le Château Women’s Knit Scoop Neck Shift Dress, which is designed to be slim-fit with a straight hem and has a ruched finish. If you’d like a cocktail dress from this brand, check out the Le Château Women's One Shoulder Knit Cocktail Dress which has a wrap design.

Le Château Women's Knit Scoop Neck Shift Dress – Available in 4 Sizes


Features
Le Château is a Canadian fashion retailer located in Montreal. It also designs and makes contemporary fashion apparel, footwear, and accessories for men and women of all ages. It stays true to its mission of offering runway and trending fashion in ways that suit a wide range of fashion styles that blend with different occasions. This allows fashion-savvy men and women to acquire a collection of its wears and always find something that suits the occasion.

Flaunt your figure with the Le Château Knit Scoop Neck Shift Dress. This shift dress reveals a rich amount of neck real estate with its scoop neckline. Its sleeveless cut and above-the-knee length will help you show off your radiant skin and long legs. This simple dress will surely raise your hotness level to at least “steaming”. One great advantage of this black dress is varieties of accessories you can wear with it.

Made of 95% polyester and 5% spandex, this dress will clutch your body and highlight your curves to their full grace. With its fitted design, straight hem, and ruched tailoring, this short black dress is adequately accented to take you from the office straight to a dinner. This pretty dress by itself will take anyone from “nerd” straight to “classy”. It’s available in X and XX small and X and XX large, so whether you’re slim or thick, you can still get your groove on in this dress.

The following are some other quality and exciting products from Le Château:
  • Le Château Women's Knit Scoop Neck Shift Dress – With straight hem and capped sleeves. Great for work.
  • Le Château Women's Knit One Shoulder Cocktail Dress – Available in black and hot pink and comes in 4 sizes.
  • Le Château Women's Taffeta & Knit V-Back Cocktail Dress – Has a boat neckline, is sleeveless, and has a full skirt.
Best Value
The Karen Kane Women’s Three-Quarter Sleeve A-Line Dress features the classic A-line cut that subtly flatters your figure while still showing off the elegance of a little black dress. If you’d like a cocktail dress for plus size, go for the Karen Kane Jersey Embellished Cocktail Dress which also has a ¾ sleeve with sparkling accents below the neckline.

Karen Kane Women's Three-Quarter Sleeve A-Line Dress – Available in 5 Sizes and 2 Colors


Features
Karen Kane started in 1979 in a garage where it made casual wears with the California vibe. It later moved downtown to keep up with demands where it added sportswear and yoga/lounge outfits to its collection. It uses the finest fabrics from around the world to make its apparels for premium quality and comfort. Its designs aim to strike a fine balance between fashion edges with outfits that are relaxed, yet energetic. Relaxed, yet luxurious. This way, many women can easily find expression in the clothes they wear without an overkill.

The Karen Kane Three-Quarter Sleeve A-Line Dress features a simple design, yet is luxurious. It is cut into the classic A-line silhouette to subtly flatter your curves, while its simple and plain material enhances its streamlined sophistication which allows you to dress up or down in this pretty black dress. Its ¾ sleeve adds an edge to this design by blowing wide open its versatility. This dress is one that will help you grab attention in the office or make you stand out in one of those girls’ night outs.

This cute dress with a scoop neckline is made of 92% rayon and 8% spandex to create an elegant appearance and a warm feel against the skin. This dress comes in 5 different sizes, allowing the majority of body types to enjoy the luxurious feeling that comes with the dress. It’s also available in Navy so you can rock this A-line in a different color. The brand recommends machine wash or dry cleaning so you can help keep the fabric as good as new.

The following are some other beautiful outfits from Karen Kane:
  • Karen Kane Women's Crossover Drape Dress – Faux wrap in front and available in Black and Print.
  • Karen Kane Women's V-Neck Lace Dress with Scalloped Trim – Lace illusion neckline with zipper closure.
  • Karen Kane Women's Scallop Lace Contrast Dress – With lace sleeves and neckline, and available in 5 sizes.
You have a stunning figure which you can flaunt with the Calvin Klein Women's Short Sleeve Pintuck Dress with Illusion which has a stunning transparent detailing around the neck, sleeves, and yokes. If you’d like a sleeveless variant from this brand, go for the Calvin Klein Women's Embellished Dress which has a full 100% polyester lining and concealed zipper.

Calvin Klein Women's Short Sleeve Pintuck Dress with Illusion


Features
Founded in 1968 by Calvin Klein and Barry Schwartz, the brand has become a global name in the fashion industry with its creative designs. It creates outfits for both men and women cutting across lifestyles and inclinations. It has become a global fashion brand and its apparels are distributed to almost every country in the world. It aims to inspire people everywhere with its fashion, and its designs embody individuality and authenticity.

Turn up dazzling like you’re straight out of a runway with the Calvin Klein Women's Pintuck Dress. This sheath dress flaunts a beautiful pin-tuck design that adds a dimension of elegance to it. It has a round neckline with short sleeves and stunning transparent detailing around the neck, sleeves, and yokes. With its short sleeves and the base hem hanging above your knees, your radiant skin will surely glow in a striking contrast to the black of this dress.

Hugging your waistline to accentuate your curves, this dress is a must-have for your next cocktail party if you want to go looking smashing. The unlined tailoring, the straight hem, the concealed zipper closure at the back, and the combination of polyester and spandex all come together to show off the mastery of craftsmanship put into making this stunner of a dress.

The straightforward design of this dress gives you a level of freedom to use a wide variety of accessories, shoes, and bags along with this dress. You can stay trendy all you want with the versatility of this Calvin Klein dress. The manufacturer recommends dry cleaning only to keep the fabric in shape and in good condition. It’s ideal to take measurements and compare it with the size chart before making a purchase so you can rest assured you’re getting a perfect fit.
Fire up your dress game with the Maggy London Women’s 30s Crepe Sleeveless Cocktail Dress with Back Detail which is made with a stretchy fabric and fully lined with polyester, keeping you comfy and flaming hot. If you’d like a lace-trimmed shift dress, go for the Maggy London Women's Lace-Trimmed Crepe Shift Dress which is 95% polyester and 5% spandex, and fully lined with tricot.

Maggy London Women's 30's Crepe Sleeveless Cocktail Dress with Back Detail – Available in 8 Sizes


Features
Maggy London was founded by Larry Lefkowitz with the belief that a woman can be empowered, made confident, and ultimately sexy, with the right dress. This is the mindset the brand has continued with ever since, which is why it has consistently created beautiful outfits for women using the best materials, tailoring, and finishing. The brand offers its expertise through different brands focused on different fashion styles and preferences so every woman can get a feel of wearing the Maggy London confidence.

Upgrade your dress game with the Maggy London 30s Crepe Fit & Flare Dress which is made with a stretch poly fabric and fully lined with 100% polyester. It has a high neckline, is sleeveless, and hangs above your knees to reveal your pretty skin and flawless arms and legs. The defined waistline hugs your body and reveals your curves, doing a fine job of an ideal little black dress.

It has a beautiful lace detailing at the upper back and an invisible zipper closure. There is a self-tie ribbon at the nape of the neck, which further accentuates the lace design. This dress is recommended for dry cleaning alone, and is available in many sizes so almost anyone can look elegant in this dress regardless of their size. Apropos of sizing, it is important that you take your measurements so you can compare it with the size chart. This will help you pick out a size that will suit you best. You don’t want to miss out on the hotness of this black dress because it’s a size or two off.

The following are some other pretty dresses on offer from Maggy London:
  • Maggy London Open Back Crepe Scuba Shift – Fully lined with tricot, with a slit closed with a hook and eye.
  • Maggy London Grid Flower Border Lace Fit and Flare – Bodice double-framed with tricot lining and invisible zipper.
  • Maggy London Women's Cross Neck Halter Sheath – Fully lined with tricot, with invisible zipper.
Whether for work or play, the PattyBoutik Women’s Boat Neck Crochet Inset Knit Dress will help you stand out with its boat neck knit design, covering the chest area and sleeves. If you’d like an off-shoulder black dress, check out the PattyBoutik Off Shoulder Floral Lace Dress which is fully lined and available in multiple sizes.

PattyBoutik Women's Boat Neck Crochet Inset Knit Dress – Available in 3 Sizes and 2 Colors


Features
PattyBoutik is a fashion label that looks to dress every “girl” in style regardless your size, preferences, fashion sense, and even condition. No one says you can’t keep looking radiant while pregnant. It creates styles that make you look graceful while oozing sophistication. Using the best materials available, it strikes a perfect blend of elegance and comfort so you can feel confident about your looks anytime. Whether for work, play, or serious party, PattyBoutik has you covered.

The PattyBoutik Boat Neck Crochet Inset Knit Dress is a show of style and grace that embodies the woman you are. The boat neckline is accentuated with a knitted finish that covers your chest through your upper back, and it’s short-sleeve. It hugs your waistline to reveal the curve of your hips, serving the little black dress purpose. Do you have a wedding or a white-themed party coming up? This sexy little dress is also available in white.

Made with a combination of cotton, acrylic, and nylon, this dress is not only elegant but comfortable as well. It will serve you great behind a desk, a dinner table, or at a concert. However you choose to rock this dress, it will surely rock along with you. This dress is available in multiple sizes, which takes away the limit of the type of women who can wear this. But note that even though PattyBoutik is detailed with its sizing, you should still do what’s necessary to ensure you get a perfect fit. Getting the right fit is how you will get the best from this little black dress.

Below are some other premium products available from PattyBoutik:
  • PattyBoutik 3/4 Sleeve Low Scoop Back Dress – Quality material with side zip, and available in 4 sizes.
  • PattyBoutik V Neck Crochet Lace Dress – Full lining with an A-line cut. Available in 3 sizes and in black or white.
  • PattyBoutik V Neck Faux Wrap Ruched Dress – Sexy design to reveal your pretty neckline. Available in plus sizes.

How Do I Choose the Best Little Black Dress?

The little black dress is one of the most versatile dresses you can have. Dressed up or down, it still screams elegance. It also comes in different types to flatter different body shapes. The A-line little black dress has a fitted bodice and flay cascading to the thighs and knees. This is a preferred choice because of the illusion of shape it gives, especially for those without a prominent rear or who are trying to hide belly fat. It hides all the features you rather not put on display and still gives you that Cinderella look. Ideal for both office and the ballroom.

The bodycon—body consciousness—little black dress is a perfect way to “give your curves a hug.” The best part of the little black dress is that it’s perfect for all occasions. From the office to the club, a little black will work magic. Just wear a jacket on your bodycon little black dress, with your Michael Kors bag to achieve an edgy and corporate look. After work, dress it down for a casual date by doing away with the jacket and clutch your secretary wallet. For parties, just add your vintage bracelet to give you the girl-next-door party look, and you’re all set.

With the little black dress, you can never go wrong! So, choose the size, material, neckline, type, etc., that compliments your figure. And if a particular type doesn’t seem to work with your body shape, don’t sweat it. Throw it on still! Flaunt your style, by all means, as long as you’ve got the confidence to pull off the look.
Price
Design, material, brand, size, type, etc., are some of the factors that determine the price of a little black dress. Having at least one little black dress in your closet is absolutely the way to go, and paying the extra price for the classy look it offers isn’t too much. A dress from a global designer with luxurious detailing can cost close to $300, while one from a less-premium brand with a simple design (that will still look smashing) will go for around $50. Cheap little black dresses abound, however; please steer clear of them because they are made with inferior materials and won’t last.
Features
Getting the best black dress requires paying attention to details. Knowing who can rock which type, which occasion it can be worn to, and how to switch it up—casual or corporate—will do a lot of good. Here are the important features to look for:
  • Type
  • Material
  • Length
  • Neckline
  • Sleeve type
  • Extras
  • Care
Read on to see our detailed explanation on the importance of these features.
Construction and Design
When it comes to the construction and design of little black dresses, the most important aspect to consider is what type it is. Following this, keep in mind the desired material and length of the dress, which correspond closely with each other. Let’s get into more detail, now.

Type

A little black dress is a must-have for all ladies: mothers, teenagers, and even toddlers (okay, maybe not toddlers, but you get the point). It is a preferred choice because it works great for most occasions. There are different types and your preference largely depends on how much attention you want to draw to your body, and where you intend to wear it.

The A-line and skater black dress type is fitted on the bodice to the waist and flares out from the waist. This creates an illusion of shape while hiding the parts of your body you’re not so fond of. Both can comfortably be adapted to any occasion—the upper part clinches to the skin at the right places, while the flay cascades to the thighs and knee which makes it appropriate for the office. Further, the flay down gives easy and unhindered strides, so if your daily routine in the office requires you to move about, you’d absolutely love the A-line and skater little black dress. The great part is that it still gives you that subtle Cinderella look and can be switched from desk to dinner.

The bodycon little black dress will embrace your body curves in all of their glory. This tight clench dress is designed to make your body features pronounced because of the material it’s made of: lycra or spandex. Walking into a party in this with your hourglass shape will get people drooling. It is ideal for women with well-accentuated body features, who feel they’ve got the shape and wish to flaunt it. Some steer clear of bodycon because they don’t seem to be appropriate for work (it may seem too distracting for your male colleagues). Work or not, you will look great. Just throw a blazer on your bodycon little black dress and it gives you an edgy corporate sophisticated look: perfect for work. Because this clenches to the body, pay attention to your choice of pants when wearing it.

Material and Length

The material a little black dress is made with determines how comfy it’d be, as well as how loose or tight. Apart from lycra and spandex we mentioned earlier, little black dresses are also made of polyester and rayon. The length of the little black dress, as with other dresses, will be dependent on where you wish to use it. These can include knee length, above the knee, below the knee, or midi-knee length (any length below the midi-knee length is no longer qualified to be called the little black dress, lol). The material often influences length choice. While the length of the A-line and skater type won’t affect your movement, the bodycon type isn’t ideal to be too long, as it restricts certain movements.
Performance and Ease of Use
When buying a little black dress, you want to make sure that it’s going to offer you the results you want and won’t be too much of a hassle in terms of wearing or caring for it. The most important thing in this area to consider before purchasing is the type of neckline and sleeves you wish to have, based on your desired appearance and where the dress will be worn. Finding a black dress with added features, such as a zipper, will further enhance its usefulness to you—as will ease of cleaning and care. Let’s take a closer look.

Neckline and Sleeve Type

The little black dress has different neckline types: round neckline, scoop neckline, sweetheart neckline, boat neckline, V-neckline, etc. Some are designed to have a different neckline in the front and in the back. Your choice will be influenced by the amount of skin you wish to bare, keeping in mind the occasion you’ll be gracing it with. Further, little black dresses come in different sleeve lengths to flatter you. Long, short, cap sleeves, or ¾ sleeves are some options, and are great for all occasions.

Extras

The zip is another important feature to look out for. Some little black dresses come with zippers while some don’t. If you don’t wish to smear your makeup each time you pull your dress over your head, or don’t want your hair disheveled, then it’s best to go for the zippered little black dress. They give you easy access in and out of your dress, and some have concealed zip, to give your dress a little mystery.

Care

Finally, caring for your little black dress. Some are machine-washable, while some are not and will only allow dry cleaning. So, read the manufacturer’s guide to know how best to care for your little black dress.

Get the Best Little Black Dress of 2023!

Yay! You’ve come to the end of our review and we hope you now have all you need to go shopping. Go ahead and rock your new best little black dress after making that purchase. You’ll love it! But in case you still want more options, go ahead and see what else these brands have in store for you.

Our Top Choice
Le Château Knit Scoop Neck Shift Dress
Best Value
Karen Kane Three-Quarter Sleeve A-Line Dress
Calvin Klein Short Sleeve Pin Tuck Dress
Maggy London 30s Crepe Fit & Flare Dress
PattyBoutik Boat Neck Crochet Inset Knit Dress