Alexander McQueen in Black: The Black Dresses, Tailoring and Leather to Buy

Black is the colour of Alexander McQueen. The house uses it for its sharpest tailoring, its corsetry and its lace, and for most of the shoes and bags too. If you buy one McQueen piece in black, make it a jacket; if you buy two, add a corset dress. Here is the edit, by what each piece does.

Black dresses

• Corset Midi Dress: the house’s boned bodice on a day-length dress.
• Floral Lace Evening Dress: lace for black tie.
• Leather Mini Dress: the evening dress that needs nothing else.
• Off-the-shoulder Draped Evening Dress: drama without embellishment.
• Lace Trim A-line Dress: the softest of the edit.

Black tailoring

The Waterfall Collar Single-breasted Jacket is the jacket of the season, worn with Tuxedo Trousers for a black suit. The Off-the-shoulder Harness Jacket turns corsetry into outerwear, and the Waterfall Collar Coat finishes it. Read the McQueen tailoring guide.

Black leather

The Waterfall Collar Leather Jacket, Sculpted Shoulder Leather Jacket and Peplum Leather Jacket carry the house’s shoulder into leather.

Black shoes and bags

Finish an all-black look with the black Niko boots, the Niko Mary Jane, and the structured Locke bag with its padlock. For a single contrast, add the black and ivory Skull Knit Scarf.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best black Alexander McQueen dress?

The Corset Midi Dress is the most versatile, with the house boned bodice on a day-length dress. For black tie, choose the Floral Lace Evening Dress.

Does Alexander McQueen make black suits for women?

Yes. A black McQueen jacket, such as the Waterfall Collar Single-breasted Jacket, worn with the Tuxedo Trousers makes a black suit.

Why does Alexander McQueen use so much black?

Black shows the cut. It is the colour that lets the shoulder, the corset line and the lace read most clearly, and it ties to the dark romance of the house.

Which McQueen shoes are black?

The Niko Boot, Niko Ankle Boot, Niko Mary Jane and Wishbone Creeper are all in black leather at Coveti.

Shop McQueen in black on the Alexander McQueen page.