A black dress for dinner is not boring if the construction is right. What matters is the fit, the fabric, and the detail. A black dress with a clean line and good tailoring reads as elegant. One with interesting seaming or an asymmetrical hem or a cut that actually flatters your shape becomes the dress you reach for constantly. Black works with literally everything you own and it photographs well in low restaurant lighting. These are the black dresses that prove a solid color is only as simple as you want it to be. Look for ones that fit without tugging and that feel substantial enough to wear without a jacket if you choose.