Kelly Clarkson’s $495 Little Black Dress Is a Style Every Wardrobe Needs — Shop Lookalikes from $23

Welcome to The Blueprint, where we break down the celebrity looks we want to wear right now and build them back up, piece by piece.

I will never, ever break away from the one closet staple Kelly Clarkson wears, too. 

Last week, the Grammy award-winning singer got dolled up in a little black dress to celebrate the 1,000th episode of her daytime talk show. The Simone Black Dress from Nadine Merabi had a bedazzled neckline and pockets, plus cute cap-sleeves, and costs a whopping $495. 

But what’s a comeback outfit for her — the star was notably absent from the show for the few episodes prior — is a back-up outfit for me. In other words, when I don’t know what to wear, it’s the one piece of fuss-free clothing I always know will look good. It works for wedding showers, weekend dinners, or even Frank Sinatra-themed parties — all real-life examples, by the way. 

Clarkson also sported a lacy LBD earlier this year, while Taylor Swift, Nicole Kidman, Joanna Gaines broke them out near the end of 2024. But the love for little black dresses even spans decades: Princess Diana’s “revenge dress” still gets talked about today. 

Kelly Clarkson’s Outfit Blueprint 

• Spring-Friendly: Owin Boatneck A-Line Mini Dress, $35 with coupon (orig. $39) 
• Prettygarden T-Shirt Dress, $32 (orig. $40) 
• 1,000+ Five Star Ratings: Dokotoo Lantern-Sleeve Mini Dress, $33 (orig. $39)
• Zesica Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress, $50
• Longer Length: Anrabess Ruffle-Sleeve Midi Dress, $26–$28 (orig. $45) 
• Merokeety Short-Sleeve Mini Dress, $36 with Prime (orig. $42) 
• Under $30: LookbookStore Bell-Sleeve Tunic Dress, $23–$26 (orig. $36) 
• Wenrine Bow Mini Dress, $43
• Ofeefan Mockneck Mini Dress, $30

Owin Boatneck Sleeveless A-Line Mini Dress

This dress has a flattering fit-and-flare silhouette, featuring a comfortable neckline. I’d style it with a red lip, my hair down, and black tights on a night out, then ditch the pantyhose and go light on the glam while wearing it the next day. It’s one dress that has two totally different ways to wear it. 

LookbookStore Bell-Sleeve Tunic Dress

Even in the summer, I’ve always gravitated toward longer sleeves that cover up my skin, like this one. It also has peekaboo mesh paneling along the hems, which makes it feel less bundled-up than wintry versions. (It also might give me a bit of a tan!) The 4,400+ five-star ratings from shoppers — who have worn it to graduations, weddings, church, and more — are also very telling. 

Anrabess Ruffle-Sleeve Midi Dress

Let me say that just because it’s called a “little black dress”, that doesn’t mean it has to be little, little. I’m 5’8”, so mini dresses can look borderline obscene if I’m not careful. Something like this, which is technically a midi dress, should safely cover my backside, allowing me to sit without the fear that my undergarments are showing. 

It’s also wrinkle-free, according to shoppers. So, you can pack it for vacation, and it has a “super soft T-shirt-like material,” wrote one five-star reviewer. It also doesn’t have sparkles like Clarkson’s, so it’s very daytime-friendly for jobs that follow a more traditional dress code. 

Keep scrolling to shop more black dresses inspired by Kelly Clarkson at Amazon now. 

Prettygarden T-Shirt Dress 

Dokotoo Lantern-Sleeve Mini Dress

Zesica Puff-Sleeve Midi Dress

Merokeety Short-Sleeve Mini Dress

Wenrine Bow Mini Dress

Ofeefan Mockneck Mini Dress