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 DRESSDANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSMesh Overlay Dress - Emerald - Medium Child - Dance Dress D12770
$59.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS
EMERALD DRESSHELLOMOLLY (US)Raelyn Maxi Dress Emerald
$115.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
EMERALD DRESSHELLOMOLLY (US)RUNAWAY Samsara Dress Emerald
$115.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSKeyhole Front Fringe Dress - Emerald - XL Adult - Dance Dress D10969
$72.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS
POSTER MASTER USEmerald Flow Dress - Poster / 18x24 inch
$44.95 POSTER MASTER US
LINTICOWool Sculpted Pleats Turtleneck Midi Dress BRIAR
$99.90 LINTICO
FARMRIOGreen Richelieu Open Sheer Back Mini Dress, MARTINA TAPESTRY
$228.00 FARMRIO
DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSMesh Overlay Dress - Emerald - Medium Child - Dance Dress D12770
$59.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS
RENT THE RUNWAYPamela Love x RTR Emerald Velvet Dress Green
$112.00 RENT THE RUNWAY
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Bodycon: Black Dresses - New - Size 2X
$15.99 THREDUP (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Emerald Eyes Dress Pink
$109.75 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)Emerald Ice One Shoulder Satin Pleated Maxi Dress Blue
$119.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)RUNAWAY Adina Maxi Dress Emerald
$115.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)Trend Lover Satin Maxi Dress Emerald
$97.38 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Dance Under Rain Maxi Dress Emerald
$99.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Black Dresses - Used - Size X
$22.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Burgundy Dresses - New - Size 2X
$8.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Black Stars Pattern Dresses - Size X
$8.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Fit & Flare: Black Dresses - Used - Size X
$22.99 THREDUP (US)
HELLOMOLLY (US)Beachside Dreamer Midi Dress Emerald
$79.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Plus Starburst Sequin Maxi Dress
$135.00 GODDIVA
GODDIVAGoddiva Plus Sequin Mesh V Neck Midi Dress
$78.00 GODDIVA
HELLOMOLLY (US)Raelyn Maxi Dress Emerald
$115.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Blue Paisley Pattern Dresses - Used
$22.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress - Wrap: Green Solid Pattern Dresses - Used - Size
$10.99 THREDUP (US)
THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Pink Dresses - Size X
$18.99 THREDUP (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Cowl Neck Back Wing Satin High Low Midi Dress
$58.00 GODDIVA
GODDIVAGoddiva Jacquard Chiffon Wrap High Low Midaxi Dress
$85.00 GODDIVA
GODDIVAGoddiva Plus Scalloped Lace A-Line Maxi Dress
$95.00 GODDIVA
GODDIVAGoddiva Lace Up Jacquard Midi Dress With Organza Wings
$165.00 GODDIVA
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDElegant Bow Flower Girls Dress Satin Tulle Princess Gown for Wedding - emerald / Custom Size
$61.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLOMOLLY (US)RUNAWAY Samsara Dress Emerald
$115.00 HELLOMOLLY (US)
THE LUXURY CLOSETAlice + Olivia Emerald Green Sequins Bodycon Mini Dress
$187.00 THE LUXURY CLOSET
HELLOMOLLY (US)Trend Setters Unite Satin Maxi Dress Emerald
$119.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
GODDIVAGoddiva Halter Neck Puff Hem Mermaid Midaxi Dress
$115.00 GODDIVA
GODDIVAGoddiva Chiffon Bardot Cowl Neck Maxi Dress
$98.00 GODDIVA
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDCharming Lace A-Line Tulle Gown Romantic Formal Prom Dress Slit - emerald
$157.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDFancy V-Neck Lace Tiered Tulle Ball Gown Romantic Sparkly Spaghetti Strap Prom Dress - emerald
$201.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLO MOLLY (US)Emerald Serendipity Sequin Maxi Dress Green
$119.95 HELLO MOLLY (US)
PETAL & PUP USAdina Maxi Dress
$119.00 PETAL & PUP US
L*SPACELa Femme Dress
$150.00 L*SPACE
HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Mermaid Castle Mini Dress Emerald
$85.00 HELLO MOLLY (US)
CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDClassy Sweetheart Cut Out Lace Prom Dress Sleeveless A-Line Tulle Formal Party Gown - emerald
$175.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED
HELLOMOLLY (US)Daydream Fiesta Long Sleeve Mini Dress Emerald
$95.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
CERQULAREmerald Green Caftan Tunic Dress
$120.00 CERQULAR
HELLOMOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Glowing At Midnight Sequin Mini Dress Emerald
$105.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Dance Show Dress Emerald
$109.75 HELLO MOLLY (US)
HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Glowing From Within Sequin Midi Dress Emerald
$97.38 HELLO MOLLY (US)
−51%
LANE BRYANTEyelet-Hem Maxi Dress$80.61
$39.50 LANE BRYANT
−50%
NATURALIZER27 EDIT Tressa Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede, 5.0M 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
−50%
FAMOUS FOOTWEARNaturalizer Women's Joy Dress Sandals (Emerald Green Suede) - Size 10.0$149.98
$74.99 FAMOUS FOOTWEAR
−37%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Vera Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede Fabric, 6.0M Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels, Ankle Strap$134.90
$84.99 NATURALIZER
