Detour

5 Black-owned brand summer dresses to take on vacation

A woman poses in a hot new summer dress.
A woman poses in a hot new summer dress. Photo courtesy of Godisabel Jacob, Pexels.

Hot days and warm nights are on the horizon, and it’s time to revamp your wardrobe in preparation of your summer travels and vacation. What better way than with new dresses by Black-owned brands? Here are our picks for a flirty sun-kissed season.

lemlem - Meseret Short Plunge Neck Dress

Known for their gorgeous line prints, lemlem never fails to deliver. The Meseret’s deep-V neckline, wide sleeves, cinched waist, and hem fringe come together in a flattering cut for a light and breezy dress. Perfect for a day of light activities like casually strolling about a new town and checking out the local brunch situation.

The Meseret Short Plunge Neck dress by lemlem.
The Meseret Short Plunge Neck dress by lemlem. Photo courtesy of lemlem.

Hanifa - Iggy Mini Knit

We love a knit dress, and Hanifa’s iteration is just right for summer. Bright orange and frilly, it gives us orange chrysanthemum vibes while incorporating delicate ribbing in the knit pattern. Great for a beach day or a daytime lunch date.

The Iggy Mini Knit dress by Hanifa.
The Iggy Mini Knit dress by Hanifa. Photo courtesy of Hanifa.

Farai London - Gaia Dress

Made of gorgeous blue stretchy velvet, the Gaia dress boasts a deep-V and backless halter-cut, tied together with a golden hoop at the center. More tied-on than cut-out, the top of the dress ties together in the back, revealing waist and back skin and sure to keep you cool. If you’re hitting the clubs in your vacay city, this dress is sure to leave an impression.

The Gaia dress by Farai London.
The Gaia dress by Farai London. Photo courtesy of Farai London.

KIN by Kristine - Tangerine Cross Neck Halter Dress

Blogger-turned-designer Kristine Thompson began her fashion industry journey with website TrendyCurvy.com to inspire outfit ideas for plus-size women. The end result was KIN, her very own designer brand creating gorgeous trends made for beautifully curvaceous clientele. The tangerine cross-neck halter is bright, bold, and perfect for a warm night out.

The Tangerine Cross Neck Halter dress by KIN by Kristine.
The Tangerine Cross Neck Halter dress by KIN by Kristine. Photo courtesy of KIN by Kristine.

Bronté Laurent - 25 Reasons Dress

Planning a date night? This single-shoulder piece puts a new spin on the classic “little black dress” with its peekaboo waist cut-out and leg slit to mid-thigh. It’s made of sheen satin material with a little stretch to it to be ultra form-fitting and flattering. We can think of at least 25 reasons to keep it on hand, but we’ll keep those to ourselves.



The 25 Reasons dress by Bronté Laurent.
The 25 Reasons dress by Bronté Laurent. Photo courtesy of Bronté Laurent.




Kayra Raecke is a proud brown queer Los Angeles-born neurodivergent with a predilection for syntax, mild cat obsession, and a collection of odd hobbies.

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This story was originally published June 9, 2023 at 2:30 PM.

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