Pairing black & white together makes for one of the most classic color combinations out there. Yet, sometimes rocking this color combo can lead to some serious fashion faux pas. How do you keep from looking like you’re a waiter in your b&w outfit? How do you jazz up your black & white look without going over the top? You want to keep your look chic, but you also want to stand out and show that you’ve got some styling chops that the same time. No worries, ladies. I’ve got some ideas that will add that extra ‘je ne sais quoi’ to your favorite color combination.
1. Wear All Black With One White Piece (or Vice-Versa)
Sure, wearing an all black outfit may be a look that’s on the safe side, but what if you wear all black and then have one unexpected white piece? My suggestion? Start off with some black staple pieces and then add a white necklace into the mix. You can even try wearing a white belt. It adds just enough oomph to stray out of that safe zone and into something a little more playful. You can even reverse it and wear all white with one black piece, too!
2. Make Use of Textures
One thing that makes an outfit infinitely more fun is sticking to one color palette but wearing all different textures. For example: I love wearing my black pants with a black silk shirt and a black satin tux jacket. So many different textures and fabrics, but all the same color! You could also try mixing wool and raw silk or chunky knits and denim—once you get going, the options are really endless.
3. Try a Pop of Color
You probably saw this coming—but adding just a touch of color definitely keeps an outfit from looking ordinary. Wear your tried and true black and white outfit with one colorful piece. Be sure to keep it simple and small—think of adding a colorful accessory or a pair of shoes. Just check out JLo below!
4. Mix Patterns
There really isn’t an easier way to add interest to your work outfit than adding a couple of different patterns into one outfit. And it’s not just for ladies—guys can try this, too! Mixing black & white patterns is super easy because there’s not a wide range of shades that could potentially clash. Play around with different patterns to see what works—you can usually figure out what will look good by trial and error. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
