5 Reese Witherspoon Outfits That Prove She's The Queen Of The Black Dress

Not only is Reese Witherspoon the queen of southern charm, she's also the queen of the black dress. The "Sweet Home Alabama" star has rocked some of chicest LBDs (that's little and long black dresses) we've ever seen on the red carpet, repeatedly reminding us that black doesn't have to be boring.

At the 2015 Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala, for example, Witherspoon flipped the standard black dress on its head when she stepped out in a knee-length, structured ensemble adorned with pearls. The dress had open cap sleeves and cinched at the waist to showcase her figure; Witherspoon amped up the glam with 1950s-inspired curls and a pink lip. She knew to keep things simpler on her feet to balance out the look, and opted for simple pointed toe black heels. But that's hardly the only time she's put her own spin on the classic wardrobe staple.

Back in February 2014, Reese Witherspoon stepped out for the Great American Songbook event in a unique LBD that made it clear long sleeve, all-black dresses don't have to be so vanilla. The sophisticated Valentino number hither just above the knee to show her toned and tan legs. To keep the look comfortable without being stuffy, a mesh panel across the collarbone provided a subtle nude illusion that was perfect for the star (showing a lot of skin has never been Witherspoon's style). The faux scalloped edge brought a dash of fun, while the mesh was a perfect complement her shorter 'do, as it allowed her to wear her hair down disrupting the look of the sheer panel.

Witherspoon kept things monochrome with her shoes, opting for classy and elegant black heels.  Pointed toe pumps were hot that spring, and this southern beauty showed us why.

The little black dress has a reputation for being too safe on the red carpet, but in 2023, Reese Witherspoon showed us that's just not true. For the Los Angeles Premiere of "Daisy Jones & The Six", she had jaws dropping in a fitted, Schiaparelli strapless dress. The neutral-colored dress was appropriately understated seeing as Witherspoon wasn't the star of the show (though she did co-produced the series) but it wasn't too bland, either. The lack of straps made it youthful, while the bold, gold buttons running from the chest to the hem gave glam and elegance. But it turns out the outfit was more thought-out than it looked. The swirly dark black design over her hips was reminiscent of the sound holes found in musical instruments such as cellos and violins, calling back to the series, which focuses on a rock band.

By pulling her hair back into a simple low ponytail, Witherspoon allowed the dress to have its moment without distraction. Her simple black Christian Louboutin heels and barely there jewelry did the same. The star was just ahead of a trend this time, as black became the color to be see in that summer (and we think she may have had something to do with that).

Don't think Reese Witherspoon only kills it in leg-baring little black dresses, because she knows how to wow in a long black number. For Apple TV+'s Primetime Emmy Party in September 2024, "The Morning Show" actor took a slightly different approach to black dress styling in a floor-length ball gown with a tulle skirt. The gorgeous, strapless Dior dress was one of her most ornate picks ever, featuring cream leaf detailing down the skirt and bodice. Coupled with her dignified up-do, Witherspoon served Old Hollywood glamour with a modern twist, and, this time, she let her jewelry do more of the talking.

The A-lister matched the dress's warm detailing with a white and yellow diamond necklace, which featured a large yellow drop diamond in the center. She added matching earrings and several statement rings, making a real case for black dresses with yellow accessories.

We'd have forgiven Reese Witherspoon for ditching the heels and the LBDs while she was pregnant with her third child, Tennessee, in May 2012. But this queen of the black dress wasn't about to hang up her glam looks. That year, Witherspoon incorporated her favorite dress style into her maternity wardrobe for the the Cannes Film Festival. She wore a wide neck long sleeve all-black garment by Isabella Oliver that featured strategic ruching across the bodice and bottom, which was perfectly placed to highlight and support her growing baby bump.

The dress was understated and could have easily looked drab against the bright sunshine and palm trees of the French city, but this star made sure to bring a pop of color. Witherspoon added more season and event-appropriate touches with open-toe, bubblegum pink sky-high heels, whiche she balanced with demure pearl drop earrings.

When Reese Witherspoon walked the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of "The Last Thing He Told Me" in April 2023, she made a revenge-dress out of her one-shoulder LBD — a la revenge-dress queen Taylor Swift. The appearance marked the actor's first big event since she announced her split from her now former husband Jim Toth, and the Givenchy number she wore showed she was feeling confident. The dress leaned to the sexy side with a thigh-high slit on her right side. The entirety of the textured gown featured a subtle, nude illusion through the gaps in the shiny black material, so appeared to be Witherspoon's take on the massive sheer dress trend without being too revealing.

She added her other wardrobe staple, black pointed toe heels, opting for a sultry pair with nude mesh over her toes. Witherspoon completed the look by wearing her long, blonde hair in a deep side part for a super sexy, undone aesthetic. She kept the accessories simple, skipping a clutch while adding cute and classy silver hoop earrings.