Stylish Ways to Wear Black and White

Is there a more classic color combination than black and white? It always looks stylish no matter the time of year. As I moved towards autumn, I was reminded again of the timeless qualities of a black and white outfit. Today I’m sharing some stylish ways to wear black and white, even if black isn’t your best neutral.

Join my stylish friend Cindy for our monthly 50+ Style Arrangements in black and white for the summer months. We loved this topic because we covered it here last summer… 3 Ways to Love Black and White Over 50

Most of us are still in the mode of melting summer heat, so the thought of wearing black gives us chills. Sorry, bad pun. The truth is, black clothes are physically hotter in the summer because they absorb heat from the sun. So can you wear black and white in summer? Yes, paying attention to placement, fabric and quantity.

Many women have stopped wearing black as they feel less proud of their aging skin. Even women with strong personal contrast may find black less than ideal because aging skin is more matte and reflects less light.

you can enjoy- How to Find Your Personal Contrast Level and Why Is It Important?

I have no intention of giving up the simplicity, refinement, elegance and ease of wearing black, so what to do?

6 ways to wear black when it doesn’t suit your skin.

• Attach to your lower half or accessories. The further it is away from your face, the less it dries out your skin.
• Choose soft woven, matte fabrics that do not have reflective qualities. All blacks are variable, so avoid bright and tightly woven ones. Loosely woven linen and cotton gauze produce softer blacks.
• Choose an open neckline that allows more skin to show between the top and your face.
• Brighten your lipstick. Watch out for deep or brownish colors that can drain your skin. A stronger colored lipstick with a bit of shine brings life to your complexion.
• Add a nice colorful scarf or necklace between your face and black. Beautiful earrings in the best colors brighten your face and help to distract the eye from the black.
• Choose black in a pattern that diminishes its effect.

Black can also be worn strategically to change the visual proportions of your shape. If your underside is larger, black or any dark colored trousers or skirt will make the space recede and appear smaller. Remember that where you dot a black outfit draws attention.

Hanging above my hip white sweater, this black bag creates a focal point and expands my shape where it hits. Luckily I have flat, narrow hips and can get away with it…but still not ideal 🙂

Linen, light cotton and rayon are my indispensable fabrics to stay cool in summer. This makes them the best choice for black fabrics in hot weather. This Quince linen shirt It’s pretty cool to wear because it stays away from my body, and its shortened length means I don’t have to curl it or half-curl it to lengthen the look of my short legs. Polished cotton and linen are usually shiny, so look for softer fabrics.

Here I am wearing them with Lululemon straight pants that seem to have sold out the moment I bought them. I paired with black leather and straw bucket bag and white Jack Rogers sandals.

Combining black and white in a pattern or print is a clever way to achieve a classic look. This gingham shirt wears more than I expected because it goes with any color. It is also a classic model for spring and summer.

A denim jacket is too hot for many climates in the summer, but this is easily a light cotton or linen cardigan like this. The black and white striped linen pants look gray, this is a soft look for hot days and more in line with my soft color.

Black accessories also add a gorgeous flair to all-white outfits. Here I am wearing white on top and the rest of my look is black. The linen-blend cardigan comes in black, but I found that it’s too hot to wear in the summer we live in. Black cotton espadrilles are breathable so my feet stay cool.

Are you one of those people who likes to wear black and white?

Thanks for reading and don’t forget to wear what makes you feel safe.

Let’s see what Cindy’s style is Cindy Hattersley Design