36 Black Dresses From Zara, Mango, and J.Crew That'll Rake In the Compliments

There's really never a bad time to shop for a black dress. It can be an absolute lifesaver anytime you're confronted by outfit paralysis—meetings, dates, holiday parties… all the usual suspects. Like any classic wardrobe staple, it's best to buy while the buying's good, and right now, my friends, the buying is very good.
Per usual, Mango, Zara, and J.Crew are a treasure trove of chic black dresses at price points that are particularly welcome this time of year. As we get into that tricky holiday season rife with stacked calendars and ambiguous dress codes, it certainly doesn't hurt to have a versatile black dress at the ready for those moments when getting dressed starts to feel hard. From the office-friendly to the party-ready, these chic black dresses will get you through this season.
Zara
Don't underestimate a simple black dress paired with black accessories. The mix of textures—the sheen of the leather bag and the addition of little sheer socks—is where it gets fun.
Mango
If you didn't know that Mango has a little curation of elevated gowns, now you know.
Click in to see how Mango styled this with an oversize leather jacket.
J.Crew
Let the record show that loads of J.Crew's dresses are currently on sale.
This is not on sale, but it's definitely still going to sell out.
Just add a turtleneck layer, loafers, and tights.
Yes to this dress, and yes to the cool factor of adding a blazer—always.
I love the versatility of being able to remove the feathered cuff detail, but honestly, why would you?
This dress is machine washable and made from a fabric created with sustainably sourced wood pulp, and it has pockets. Say less.
Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and fashion editor, who regularly contributes from Paris. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects.
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