BLACK SUMMER DRESSES

Celebrate your summer in ModCloth's EXCLUSIVE collection of vintage-inspired, black summer dresses. Discover our most popular styles of black summer dresses, which include darling mini dresses, effortless maxi dresses, vintage-inspired halter top dresses, babydoll dresses, boho dresses, romantic floral dresses, pinafore dresses, and more. 

ModCloth loves carrying a wide variety of silhouettes and a great selection of patterns and solids, but we are most proud of our abundance of sizes. From XS, S, M, L, 1X, 2X, 3X, and 4X, our black summer dresses are for everyone.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF VINTAGE-INSPIRED SUMMER DRESSES? Well, that depends on what era of fashion you feel like channeling today:

• 40’s Summer dresses: Classic A-line sundresses, often with button-up detailing are a timeless staple of 1940s women’s fashion. Breezy midi sundresses in floral prints, and vibrant solids (especially navy blue sundresses) were all the rage during this era.

• 50’s Summer dresses: Rockabilly style began influencing fashion in the 1950’s, and this is the era when swing dresses, fit-and-flare sundresses, and sleeveless midi sundresses first made their debut! (Think Marilyn in her timeless, white halter-top dress). Tie-neck collars became a fashion must-have, and don’t forget the prints! Polka-dot sundresses, plaid sundresses, and deep emerald green sundresses have been stealing hearts ever since.

• 60’s Summer dresses: In the 1960’s, all manners of sleeveless mini dresses became mainstream! The babydoll sundress, smock sundresses with Peter Pan collars, off the shoulder sundresses, belted shift sundresses, shirred sundresses, smocked sundresses, and FINALLY dresses with pockets! Bold floral print sundresses, leopard print sundresses, and colorblock sundresses are still fashion hallmarks of this iconic era. 

• 70’s Summer dresses: Flowy maxi dresses and kaftan dresses with bold geometric prints can be traced back to the 1970s fashion era. Pinafore dresses made a comeback in the 70’s, boho sundresses first hit the scene, and the groovy seventies also saw the emergence of bold floral sundresses. 

• 80’s Summer dresses: Cute mini sundresses reached new heights in the 1980’s, and metallic print sundresses reflected the spirit of the eighties. Sundresses with puff sleeves, neon sundresses, and T-shirt sundress with playful graphics were all the rage, and Madonna made us fall in love with black mesh sundresses as well as sundresses with ruffles upon ruffles.

• 90’s Summer dresses: Plaid mini skirts, and plaid sundresses came back in a major way during the 1990s fashion era. Floral sundresses and sheer sundresses hit the streets, and nothing beat a floral slip dress layered under a flannel button-up top. Cute and casual sundresses, bodycon dresses, and color block sundresses also show up in timeless 90’s era dresses.

Whatever era in fashion you seek to inspire, we're here to support you with cute summer dresses in every size! 

Women’s clothing for our ModCloth community is about variety and creative expression! ModCloth loves representing the perfect fit for every woman, especially in vintage-inspired styles that go above and beyond the status quo. ModCloth makes it fun and easy to express yourself in sizes ranging XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL, 1X, 2X, 3X, and 4X. 

Yes, we have all our favorite essential clothing basics that include relaxed-fit tees, leggings, tunics, cardigans, and stretchy denim jeans. ModCloth also has you covered with workwear essentials like sophisticated blazers, trousers, dresses, and button-up tops, but here’s how ModCloth goes beyond basic to showcase your retro-chic sensibilities:

• Era-based fashion so you can channel the art deco-inspired 1920s, classic pin-up vibes from the 1930’s, the mod 40’s, the rockabilly 50’s, retro 70’s vibes with high-rise, wide-leg pants and psychedelic prints, the neon 80’s, and the pop, punk, and goth movements of the 90’s!
• Exclusive collaborations with exciting brands like Hello Kitty, Barbie, Care Bears, Collectif, Princess Highway, and more!
• Hard-to-find options for vintage-inspired coats, jumpsuits, overalls, swing skirts, sleepwear, outerwear, and swimwear.
• SO MUCH to choose from in women’s dresses! Fit-and-flare dresses, swing dresses, maxi dresses, cocktail dresses, party dresses, mini dresses, babydoll dresses, shirt dresses, midi dresses, sweater dresses…and MOST of them have POCKETS!
• Our most popular women’s clothing styles offer exclusive hand-drawn prints that range from elegant to quirky with an emphasis on current trends. Whether you love cats, dogs, books, deep sea creatures, outerspace, moon phases, stars, celestial, dinosaurs, bunnies, bugs, bears, florals, rainbows, or reptiles, our talented design team is always coming up with unique ways for you to express yourself. 
• Elegant dresses for special occasions including stunning wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses, and evening gowns that are full of unique, vintage-inspired detailing. 

So how do you feel like expressing yourself today? Are you feeling a bit kawaii? Cottagecore? Boho-chic? Feeling your goth streak? Or maybe you just want to wear something that lets everyone know how much you love your cat. Whatever you want in vintage-inspired women’s clothing, ModCloth is with you all the way. Come explore our latest women’s clothing collection now! 

Filled with florals, touched with ruffles, or flaunting sheer panels, black summer dresses are a basic staple for the warmest season of all! It's simple to style black maxi dresses for any time of year, but especially in the summer when accessorizing can be minimal and the black dresses you love most can make a stand-alone statement. To bring a summer black dress ensemble to life in a way that keeps your look light and free, find which one of our quirky bags you can't live without, slip into a simple pair of strappy sandals, and step out into the sunshine, where your versatile look can be admired!

HOW TO WEAR A BLACK DRESS IN SUMMER?
The best way to style black summer dresses is minimally, letting your functional accessories do the work. For example, a black A-line dress is best flaunted with a pair of cat-eye sunglasses, a bright purse, and espadrille wedges, whereas black maxi dresses are made summery by sun hats, straw bags, and embroidered flats. If your summertime plans are adventure-filled, figure out which practical add-ons feel just-right with a black mini dress or basic sundresses. It's hard to go wrong with such a simple formula!

HOW TO ACCESSORIZE A BLACK DRESS FOR A SUMMER WEDDING?
Some of our favorite outfit combos for summer weddings are black dresses and fancy gold shoes, noir gowns and pop-of-color heels, and midnight frocks with contrasting white kicks. Spice things up with hats and hair accessories, sparkling jewelry, and some bright lipstick. Will the dancing go late into the night? Don't forget a light scarf or neutral shawl!