Our new favorite little black dresses

Including a minidress for summer

View in browser May 31, 2025 The best little black dresses Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter It's hard to imagine an article of clothing more elegant, enduring, and versatile than a little black dress. To find the best ones out there, we underwent a fresh new round of testing this year, researching well over 100 dresses and testing nearly two dozen of the best options. We landed on a few new picks, including a flare minidress we think is perfect for wherever your summer takes you — be it a kinda-fancy pool party, a summery work event, or a shower of any kind. It has a festive silhouette, but it doesn't feel at all stuffy or formal because of the crisp cotton poplin material. As style expert Zoe Vanderweide puts it: "The cut says 'cocktail' but the fabric says 'clambake.'" Plus, a silky slip and a lacy romantic number→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more › Happy Saturday. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can't always respond, but we do love to hear from you. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. If you received this newsletter from someone else, subscribe here. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Recommendation from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018