Thought You Couldn’t Wear Black In Summer? Adele Will Make You Think Otherwise

The singer looked spectacular at BST Hyde Park.

Adele BST Hyde Park

by Laura Antonia Jordan |
Updated on

We're at the start of a long hot summer. And with a big dose of sunshine, comes the urge to binge on colour and print where your wardrobe is concerned. So much so, in fact, that even the thought of wearing black probably goes against all your better instincts.

Charithra Chandran
Charithra Chandran ©Getty

But before you dismiss black entirely, consider this: it’s not a killjoy option, but rather, a liberating one. Black is easy. Black is versatile. Black is, without fail, chic. Case in point? Adele, who wore a series of spectacular black dresses (well, more like gowns) to perform over the weekend at BST Hyde Park.

Adele BST Hyde Park
Adele wearing Schiaparelli ©Getty

Last week also saw Serpentine's Chairman, Michael R Bloomberg, host an evening to honour artists and thank his most loyal supporters at The Serpentine Gallery, where top-to-toe black was the outfit de jour. Bridgerton's diamond Charithra Chandran, looked ever the style icon in a black satin Christopher Kane dress complete with floor-length fringe, while model Tsunaina and designer Charles Jeffrey made a case for black lace. Get ready for a sultry summer.

Charles Jeffrey Tsunaina
Charles Jeffrey and Tsunaina ©Getty

Further proof came in the form of Dior Cruise, staged last month in Seville, where almost the entire front row wore some variation on the theme of head-to-toe black. The lynchpin is the LBSD. That’s the Little Black Summer Dress. And it's clearly working for the A list. Elle Macpherson arrived at said show wearing what must be the ultimate combination when temperatures are peaking at a dizzying 36 degrees: a spaghetti-strapped black slip dress and chunky flat sandals.

Elle Macpherson

Hailey Bieber, who's long been an advocate for wearing the LSBD, takes her summer black dress not so much little as micro. For evidence, see last month's thigh-high, peplum-waisted dress by Sportmax (add a pop of colour to yours if head-to-toe black is too ‘goth’ for your tastes).

Hailey Bieber

And lest you think the black dress is a tad conservative compared to, say, tangerine or turquoise, cast your mind back to summer 1994. The LBSD made headline news twice. First on ElizabethHurley, who stole the show at the Four Weddings and a Funeral premiere in that Versace safety-pin number. And then in June that year, when Princess Diana turned to one for the ultimate ‘revenge’ moment.

elizabeth hurley versace safety pin dress
Elizabeth Hurley at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral

The beauty of the LBSD is that it can be whatever you want it to be. Grungy or glamorous; sexy or sporty; quietly chic or unapologetically revealing. But whichever one you go for, and however you wear it, the beauty of black is that it is always immune to grass stains and rosé spillages – something that’s definitely worth celebrating.

Gallery

SHOP: The Best Black Summer Dresses

summer black Warehouse, Plus Size Utility Tie Waist Dress, £221 of 10

Warehouse, Plus Size Utility Tie Waist Dress, £22

summer dress H&M, Opened Back Mini Dress, £34.992 of 10

H&M, Opened Back Mini Dress, £34.99

Arket, Crochet Halter-Neck Dress, £793 of 10

Arket, Crochet Halter-Neck Dress, £79

COS, Gathered Midi Dress, £794 of 10

COS, Gathered Midi Dress, £79

& Other Stories, Puff-Sleeve Linen Midi Dress, £955 of 10

& Other Stories, Puff-Sleeve Linen Midi Dress, £95

Rixo, Sabrina Halter-Neck Lapel Dress, £1956 of 10

Rixo, Sabrina Halter-Neck Lapel Dress, £195

Three Graces London, Charita Dress In Black, £5807 of 10

Three Graces London, Charita Dress In Black, £580

Raey, Cross-Front Silk-Blend Halter Dress, £4958 of 10

Raey, Cross-Front Silk-Blend Halter Dress, £495

Whistles, Gracia Smocked Dress, £1399 of 10

Whistles, Gracia Smocked Dress, £139

Acsceno, Lyon Black Silk Slip Dress, £29510 of 10

Acsceno, Lyon Black Silk Slip Dress, £295

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