The Emerald Dresses Worth Your Money

Emerald bridges a useful gap between the default safety of black and the full-on commitment of what one might consider a truly loud colour. It reads as rich, rather than bright, closer to bottle or forest than it does anything approaching Kelly green, and it’s that depth which allows it to work on a far wider range of skin tones and hair colours than most jewel shades do. Buy ones that have been properly dyed through the fibre, not surface printed, so that the colour retains its intensity under evening light rather than looking greyish or plastic by ten o’clock..

Fabric is going to do the majority of the heavy lifting here. Emerald looks best in something with a bit of body and sheen to it, a nice silk satin, a cleanly finished crepe, or a substantial jersey that will drape without clinging. Stay away from things that are too matte or too thin, dry fabrics tend to drain the colour into something khaki-like.

Check the seams and the lining as well. A dress in this colour is likely to be doing the most work in a room, so a hem that hasn’t finished properly or a lining that doesn’t match the true colour of the dress will be noticeable much more than it would be in navy or black.

Pattern is less important than cut when it comes to emerald, since the colour itself is always going to do the talking. A simple bias slip, a stretchy fitted midi or something with a defined waist and straightforward sleeve allows the shade to be centre of attention without competition. It tends to fall down when you start adding too much fuss to the detail; too much beading or metallic trim will clash with rather than complement the colour.
Wearing it well requires restraint elsewhere. Gold jewellery compliments emerald warmly, while silver pushes it cooler, and harder, so choose what you’re pairing it with carefully. Black outerwear, a simple clutch, and a neutral or metallic toned heel will let the dress do the talking. It’s ideal for those occasions where you actually want to stand out. A black tie dinner. A proper party. Weddings, when you’re a guest, and not a awkward bystander. Anywhere that the dress code is quietly demanding something more interesting than your standard black.

Top Picks

EMERALD DRESSNATURALIZER27 EDIT Tressa Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede, 6.5M Slip-On, Open Toe

$129.98 $64.99 NATURALIZER

EMERALD DRESSTHE LUXURY CLOSETAlice + Olivia Emerald Green Sequins Bodycon Mini Dress

$187.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

EMERALD DRESSTHREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Wrap: Black Dresses - New - Size X

$18.99 THREDUP (US)

POSTER MASTER USEmerald Flow Dress - Poster / 30x40 inch $64.95 POSTER MASTER US

HELLOMOLLY (US)Emerald Ice One Shoulder Satin Pleated Maxi Dress Blue $119.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSMesh Overlay Dress - Emerald - Large Adult - Dance Dress D12770 $64.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS

SHOPBOPRAILS Primrose Dress Emerald Stripe $268.00 SHOPBOP

THE LUXURY CLOSETAlice + Olivia Emerald Green Sequins Bodycon Mini Dress $187.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET

DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSKeyhole Front Fringe Dress - Emerald - Small Child - Dance Dress D10969 $67.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS

HARVEY NICHOLS USSimkhai Emersyn Ruched Sequin Midi Dress - Dark Green - 6 (UK10 / S) $837.21 HARVEY NICHOLS US

HELLO MOLLY (US)Ring Ring Midi Dress Emerald $79.75 HELLO MOLLY (US)

HELLOMOLLY (US)Emerald Serendipity Sequin Maxi Dress Black $119.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDClassy Sweetheart Cut Out Lace Prom Dress Sleeveless A-Line Tulle Formal Party Gown - emerald $199.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

HELLO MOLLY (US)Find Out One Shoulder Midi Dress Emerald $105.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Casual Dress - Wrap: Burgundy Polka Dots Pattern Dresses - Used $19.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Green Dresses - Used - Size X $53.99 THREDUP (US)

PETAL & PUP USEverlee Maxi Dress $100.00 PETAL & PUP US

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Party: Black Dresses - Used - Size $18.99 THREDUP (US)

HELLO MOLLY (US)Mission Accomplished Dress Emerald $79.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)

HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Dance Show Dress Emerald $109.75 HELLO MOLLY (US)

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDElegant Lace Bodice Satin A-Line Cut out Corset Gown Sexy High Slit Formal Evening Dress - emerald $179.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

HELLO MOLLY (US)Trend Setters Unite Satin Maxi Dress Emerald $129.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDFancy Lace Satin Mermaid Formal Gown Sexy High Slit Sweetheart Neck Prom Dress - emerald $169.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Green Dresses - New - Size 2X $18.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Casual Dress: Green Dresses - Used - Size $13.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Party: Pink Dresses - Used $21.99 THREDUP (US)

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Wrap: Black Dresses - New - Size X $18.99 THREDUP (US)

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDStunning Sweetheart Ball Gown Prom Dress Beaded Bodice Tiered Tulle Formal Evening Gown - emerald $229.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

CERQULAREmerald Green Caftan Tunic Dress $120.00 CERQULAR

GODDIVAGoddiva Flutter Sleeve Wrapover Satin Maxi Dress $85.00 GODDIVA

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Wrap: Blue Dresses - Used - Size X $16.99 THREDUP (US)

RENT THE RUNWAYPamela Love x RTR Emerald Velvet Dress Green $112.00 RENT THE RUNWAY

PETAL & PUP USAdelyn Midi Dress $119.00 PETAL & PUP US

GODDIVAGoddiva Satin Flutter Sleeve Wrap Maxi Dress $95.00 GODDIVA

GODDIVAGoddiva Scalloped Lace Corset Bodice Maxi Dress $98.00 GODDIVA

HELLOMOLLY (US)Luxurious Allure Satin Maxi Dress Emerald $119.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

SELDOM SEEN STYLESWomen's Emerald Green Wrap Mini Dress Elegant V Neck Loose Vacation Party Dress $34.00 SELDOM SEEN STYLES

GODDIVAGoddiva Tie Back Pleated Lurex Skater Midi Dress $38.00 GODDIVA

W CONCEPT (US)Twist Bodice Mini Dress [Green] $340.00 W CONCEPT (US)

GODDIVAGoddiva Square Neck Scalloped Embroidered Sequin Midi Dress $135.00 GODDIVA

GODDIVAGoddiva Plus Long Sleeve Sequin V Wrap Maxi Dress $150.00 GODDIVA

CERQULAREmerald Green Long Sleeve Chiffon Maxi Dress $150.00 CERQULAR

GODDIVAGoddiva Petal Bow Sleeve Frill Midi Dress $85.00 GODDIVA

GODDIVAGoddiva Scalloped Hem Starburst Midi Dress $84.00 GODDIVA

HELLO MOLLY (US)Trend Lover Satin Maxi Dress Emerald $97.38 HELLO MOLLY (US)

HELLO MOLLY (US)Emerald Luxe Satin Mini Dress Green $89.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

HELLOMOLLY (US)Feel Like Laughing Satin Midi Dress Emerald $79.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)

HELLOMOLLY (US)Emerald Eyes Dress Pink $109.75 HELLOMOLLY (US)

HELLO MOLLY (US)Dance Under Rain Maxi Dress Emerald $99.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)

−50%

NATURALIZER27 EDIT Tressa Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede, 6.5M Slip-On, Open Toe$129.98 $64.99 NATURALIZER

−50%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Joy Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede Leather, 8.5M Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels$149.98 $74.99 NATURALIZER

−37%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Vera Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede Fabric, 5.0M Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels, Ankle Strap$134.90 $84.99 NATURALIZER

−30%

SHOPBOPSIMKHAI Leona Mini Dress Emerald$695.00 $486.50 SHOPBOP

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