My Incredibly Chic Co-Worker Is a Master at Elevated Black-Dress Outfits—7 I'm Re-Creating

a collage of three photos of fashion editor Kristen Nichols wearing different chic black dress outfit ideas

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

It's no surprise that working in fashion means being surrounded by incredibly chic people who constantly inspire your next look. Such is the case with all of my co-workers, but there is one in particular who is known for putting together elevated outfits with black dresses: our associate director of special projects, Kristen Nichols. I'm pretty faithful to black dresses over any other color or print, so I couldn't help but notice her various inspiring takes.

I set out to find some of her best black-dress outfits, which are well-documented on her stylish Instagram account. There are endless outfits to pick from, so it took me a moment to narrow it down to seven of my personal favorites. Each is the epitome of elevated thanks not only to the black dress styles she choses, which range from mini to maxi lengths, but also the bags and shoes she opts for. Think sleek mini bags, sophisticated slingback shoes, and effortless sandals to name a few.

Keep scrolling to check out and shop each outfit that prove Nichols is a true master at elevated black-dress outfits.

1.

fashion editor Kristen Nichols poses on a street corner in New York City wearing black oval sunglasses, a sleeveless mini black dress, Hermes bag, and Tory Burch slingback flats

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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2.

Who What Wear editor Kristen Nichols poses in New York City at night wearings a black fit and flare dress, mini clutch bag, and pointed-toe slingback pumps

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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3.

Who What Wear editor Kristen Nichols poses for a mirror selfie wearing a black strapless mini dress, mini black bag, and strappy barely-there flat sandals

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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4.

Who What Wear editor Kristen Nichols poses for a mirror selfie wearing a strappy open-back cutout maxi dress, and strappy heeled sandals

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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5.

Who What Wear editor Kristen Nichols poses during fashion week on a New York City sidewalk wearing oversize oval sunglasses, a Tory Burch button-front mini shift dress, Savette mini black bag, and white Prada pointed-toe kitten heels

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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6.

Who What Wear editor Kristen Nichols poses for a mirror selfie in a New York City apartment with herringbone wood floors wearing a boatneck midi black dress, mini Savette bag, and black slingback heel pumps

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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7.

Who What Wear fashion editor Kristen Nichols poses at Caviar Kaspia wearing a black mini dress with spaghetti straps a small bag, and strappy kitten heel sandals

(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols)

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Jennifer Camp Forbes
Contributing Editor

Jennifer Camp Forbes is currently an editor at Who What Wear, where she has worked in a variety of capacities for over a decade, including creative director and various editor roles. She’s well-known as a shopping expert that’s sought out for advice and insight on the latest trends, outfit ideas, and fashion picks thanks to her thoughtful shopping roundups, digital moodboards, and extensive knowledge of up-and-coming brands, plus the new arrivals sections of the chicest retailers. Jennifer has had a lifelong interest in fashion which led her to intern at Harper’s Bazaar as an undergraduate. Later, while working towards her masters degree in psychological counseling at Columbia University, she founded two digital fashion publications: Le Fashion and Olsens Anonymous. The popularity of both sites grew and after graduation she decided put her plans to become a therapist aside to pursue a career in fashion. While she has called Los Angeles and New York City home in the past, she currently works remotely from Massachusetts. When she’s not obsessing over and writing about her latest fashion finds, she is delighting in raising two little ones with her highschool sweetheart, perusing TikTok religiously, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, creating abstract photographs, and eating the best Mexican food she can get her hands on.