How To Turn Basic Into Bold: Black + White Edition

“I have so much to wear! - said no woman, ever.

Chances are, at least a third of your wardrobe is some variation of black & white.  While it may be the most sophisticated of color schemes, it can easily fall into the category of playing-it-safe, which is a major cause in the “I have nothing to wear” syndrome.  

This week I decided to pull out a few of my favorite everyday pieces and put together a quick and easy guide for turning basic black & white into a bold new look.

Tip #1: Mix it up

Print pairing is much easier than you think, and there’s little room to fail when you’re working with black and white.  The goal is to find a balance between prints and our rule of thumb is to mix one large or bold print with a smaller ditsy print.  For example, a large stripe or color block would look best with a smaller stripe or polka dot.  (See more examples in our free printable mood board below) 

 Tip #2: Weigh in

Play around with different fabric weights and texture.  Pair a lightweight cotton blouse with a heavier weight textured pant or an overly structured blouse with a sheer flowy skirt.  This creates a more dramatic contrast between black and white solids for a look that is oh-so-chic.

Tip #3: Add Metallic

If you’re not into mixing prints and just want to quickly polish up your monochrome look, add a metallic accessory or jacket.  Some of our favorites this season are oversized metallic clutches, hammered satin bomber jackets, and metallic ankle boots. 

Bonus Tip:  If you have light or olive skin tone, wear something black to separate your face from a white or light colored blouse to avoid looking washed out.  It can be a scarf, chunky necklace, or a color block top like this one.  

Want more inspiration?  Click here to receive our free printable mood board created by our in-house designer, Sarah.