Kaitlan Collins Has Had Some Gorgeous Black Dress Moments

At only 33, not only has CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins had quite the transformation, but Collins has become one of the most recognizable faces on television. It's not just because she fearlessly spars with Donald Trump on a regular basis. Contrary to Trump's insults and claims that she never smiles, Collins has proven, through her Instagram and interviews with late night hosts, that she plays just as hard as she works. 

After all, when was the last time a CNN reporter went full glam for their Bravo debut, solidifying a look that's still one of her best? Collins didn't just effortlessly pull off the topless blazer look with the right amount of glitz and bedazzling when she appeared on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen;" she owned the look as she gabbed with Cohen about "The Real Housewives." If that weren't enough, Collins has also had quite a few gorgeous black dress moments. While there's more than a few worth talking about, these are some of our favorites. In other words, it's time to let Kaitlan Collins be your black dress inspo.

For journalists, there's nothing quite like the White House correspondents' dinner. It's basically their Oscars, Super Bowl, and World Cup all rolled into one. Except they don't have to sit through long thank you speeches, they get tipsy on champagne while their fellow journalists and other members of the media are praised or, in some cases, lovingly (or not-so-lovingly) roasted.

For the 2024 dinner, Kaitlan Collins wore this full-length black dress with silver detailing around the neck and bodice. It's a simple look with clean lines that Collins looks fabulous in, and the gold pumps are a nice touch to complete the outfit.

In December 2023, when Kaitlan Collins attended the 17th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, she knew how to dress for the occasion. While this dress is definitely on the conservative side (although not as frumpy as Karoline Leavitt's work outfits we've become so used to seeing), Collins understood the assignment: honoring heroes. One doesn't roll into such an event dressed like it's Friday night in the Meatpacking District and you have a laundry list of mistakes to make. Instead, as Collins does here, you take the demure route in a full-length black gown that has a playful feather hem.

In February 2026, Kaitlan Collins attended the Grammys looking far more like a Hollywood legend than a CNN reporter. Although the black strapless dress, with a hem just below the knee, wasn't exactly groundbreaking, sometimes it's the subtlety of an outfit that speaks the loudest. Collins paired the dress with silver heels and opted to keep her hair down, giving her a relaxed, chic appearance. Also, based on the way her chest and arms are glowing and practically stealing the show from the dress, it's pretty clear that Collins knows how to use humectants for the most hydrated skin ever.

Although Kaitlan Collins' LBDs have proven the iconic outfit's versatility, what's so great about this particular design, which Collins wore to the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in April 2023, is the ruffling and silver glitter bedazzling across the bodice. Granted, it's serving more cutesy than sexy, but no one needs to be a sex kitten 24/7. Collins matched her bag and heels to the silver detail in the top part of the dress. While she was there as a guest that night, she did have something to celebrate: Starting the following month, Collins moved to CNN's prime-time lineup with a new show that replaced Chris Cuomo's former time slot.

Kaitlan Collins has definitely proven she knows how to have not just one or two, but several gorgeous black dress moments. However, this isn't one of her strongest looks. For this to be the case, there are two things at play. For starters, it's 2022; after lockdowns between 2020 and 2021, regaining footing in the fashion world wasn't exactly easy for anyone. Secondly, Collins is next to Olivia Nuzzi, who's dressed in red; that's pretty much stealing Collins' thunder. Just a few short years later, Nuzzi would become a household name for her sexting affair with RFK, Jr. and the world would be scarred by Kennedy's attempts at erotic poetry.

At this point, it's safe to say Kaitlan Collins knows black dresses look absolutely great on her. Not just because of the color — black favors everyone — but because they give her the opportunity to show off her upper body, which is both strong and so hydrated you can almost see your reflection in her shoulders. In March 2025, Collins spent time with her friends away from D.C., wearing this black, body-hugging dress with gold heels that matched her earrings, as well as a few other pieces of jewelry. It was nothing over the top or too much, because no one likes it when the hometown girl who made it big comes back to outshine everyone else.

Of all the black dresses Kaitlan Collins has worn, this has to be one of her finest. Not only does the full-length fit look stunning on her, something she's proven before in gowns, but that bodice is extraordinary. While the low-plunging neckline is a standout feature, so is the cut of the top of the bodice, which looks almost lethal with those edges. As tends to be the case with Collins, she kept her makeup and hair simple and casual. When you have a gown like that, you don't need anything more. However, a red lip just might have hit the entire look out of the park.

Although this full-length black gown and its one-shoulder design might be giving more prom vibes than Kaitlan Collins intended — something about that half-up half-down hairstyle — she still looks glamorous and sophisticated. It's also worth noting that it's 2023 and she's attending the Kennedy Center Honors, which isn't exactly the time or place for trying to ace the sheer clothing trend or something else similarly scandalous. Collins looks every bit the consummate professional she is.