The Emerald Dresses Worth Your Money

Emerald sits in a strange, useful space between the safety of black and the commitment of a truly loud colour, which is exactly why it earns its place on a rail of occasion dresses. A good emerald reads as rich rather than bright, closer to bottle or forest than anything approaching kelly green, and that depth is what makes it work on a far wider range of skin tones and hair colours than most jewel shades manage. The ones worth having are dyed properly through the fibre rather than surface printed, so the colour holds its intensity under evening light instead of flattening into something greyish or synthetic looking by ten o’clock.

Fabric does most of the work here. Emerald behaves best in something with a bit of body and sheen, a good silk satin, a cleanly finished crepe, or a substantial jersey that drapes without clinging. Avoid anything too matte or too thin, because flat, dry fabrics tend to dull the colour down to something closer to khaki.

Look closely at the seams and the lining too.

A dress in this colour is usually doing the heaviest lifting in a room, so a puckered hem or a lining that doesn’t match the true colour underneath will show up far more than it would in navy or black.

Cut matters more than pattern with emerald, since the colour is already doing the talking. A clean bias slip, a fitted midi with a bit of stretch, or something with a defined waist and simple sleeve all let the shade sit at the centre of attention without competition. Where it goes wrong is in fussy embellishment, too much beading or metallic trim fights the colour rather than framing it.

Styling it well is largely about restraint elsewhere. Gold jewellery warms emerald nicely, while silver can push it cooler and slightly harder, so choose according to the rest of the look. Black outerwear, a simple clutch, and a heel in a neutral or metallic tone let the dress stay the focus. It suits the moments where you actually want to be noticed, a black tie dinner, a significant party, a wedding as a guest rather than a bystander, anywhere the brief is quietly asking for more than your usual black dress.

Top Picks

CARL’S PICK GODDIVAGoddiva Tie Back Pleated Lurex Skater Midi Dress

$38.00 GODDIVA

HARPER’S PICK NATURALIZERNaturalizer Joy Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede Leather, 11.0W Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels

$149.98 $74.99 NATURALIZER

MADISON’S PICK HARVEY NICHOLS USSimkhai Emersyn Ruched Sequin Midi Dress - Dark Green - 10 (UK14 / L)

$837.21 HARVEY NICHOLS US

CLAIRE’S PICK HELLOMOLLY (US)Raelyn Maxi Dress Emerald

$115.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

JASMINE’S PICK THREDUP (US)emerald Casual Dress - DropWaist: Pink Solid Pattern Dresses - Used

$16.99 THREDUP (US)

DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONSMesh Overlay Dress - Emerald - Medium Child - Dance Dress D12770 $59.95 DANCEWEAR SOLUTIONS

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

HARVEY NICHOLS USSimkhai Emersyn Ruched Sequin Midi Dress - Dark Green - 10 (UK14 / L) $837.21 HARVEY NICHOLS US

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

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

THREDUP (US)emerald Casual Dress - DropWaist: Pink Solid Pattern Dresses - Used $16.99 THREDUP (US)

GODDIVAGoddiva Tie Back Pleated Lurex Skater Midi Dress $38.00 GODDIVA

HELLO MOLLY (US)HELLO MOLLY Glowing From Within Sequin Midi Dress Emerald $97.38 HELLO MOLLY (US)

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

GODDIVAGoddiva Bishop Sleeve Peplum Top Scuba Crepe And Chiffon Maxi Dress $165.00 GODDIVA

THREDUP (US)Emerald Sundae Cocktail Dress: Gray Tweed Pattern Dresses $18.99 THREDUP (US)

HELLOMOLLY (US)Raelyn Maxi Dress Emerald $115.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

SHOPBOPROAME Ibiza Cupro Dress Emerald $489.00 SHOPBOP

HELLOMOLLY (US)Lights Camera Party Satin Maxi Dress Emerald $135.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

GODDIVAGoddiva Sequin Cowl One Shoulder Midi Dress $120.00 GODDIVA

HELLOMOLLY (US)Daydream Fiesta Long Sleeve Mini Dress Emerald $95.95 HELLOMOLLY (US)

W CONCEPT (US)Florence Mermaid Scarf Set Midi Dress [Grace Green] $320.00 W CONCEPT (US)

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

CERQULAREmerald Green Caftan Tunic Dress $120.00 CERQULAR

CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITEDCharming Lace A-Line Tulle Gown Romantic Formal Prom Dress Slit - emerald $179.99 CHICSEW TRADING CO., LIMITED

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

−51%

LANE BRYANTEyelet-Hem Maxi Dress$80.61 $39.50 LANE BRYANT

−50%

NATURALIZER27 EDIT Tressa Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede, 7.5M Slip-On, Open Toe$129.98 $64.99 NATURALIZER

−50%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Joy Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede Leather, 11.0W Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels$149.98 $74.99 NATURALIZER

−37%

NATURALIZERNaturalizer Vera Dress Sandals, Emerald Green Suede Fabric, 7.0M Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels, Ankle Strap$134.90 $84.99 NATURALIZER