Wear black and white this summer

Summer fashion tends to gravitate toward bright colors and pastels. However, there’s no shame in not wanting to stray from your chic, monochromatic wardrobe – even if it mostly consists of black and white outfits. Contrary to popular belief, it is actually possible to look fun and summery while keeping your wardrobe black and white. Here are some tips:

Shield yourself from the sun

While lounging in the sun can give you a healthy dose of vitamin D and a sun-kissed glow, it’s no secret that you don’t want to expose too much of your body to the sun for long periods of time. One way to stylishly keep yourself protected from those rays is to wear a wide-brim sun hat and large sunglasses. Both of these accessories are practical and fashionable – especially in black or white. Wearing some black sunnies and a wide brim hat will give you a glamorous old Hollywood look. Pair it with a red lip!

Go sheer

When it’s hot outside, the last thing you want is to wear thick clothes. Dressy blouses may not seem like a casual summer staple, but they can be. Invest in a sheer white blouse and wear a black lacy bralette or sports bra beneath. You won’t have to deal with the bulk of a camisole, and these types of bras are conservative enough to peek through something that’s a little sheer.

LWD

We all have a go-to little black dress in our closet, but how about rocking a little white dress in the summer months? While it’s not socially acceptable to wear anything white to a bridal shower or wedding, a date night or evening out with the girls can definitely call for something white. Dress up the look with a pair of black slingback heels.

Add a pop of color

A fun way to wear a black and white outfit is to throw a little bit of a surprising color into the mix. A bright color like red, blue or magenta really pops against a black and white backdrop without looking too over-the-top. Try adding a splash of vibrancy color with your shoes, a purse or a statement necklace.

Mix and match

It can be tough to match two black pieces or two white pieces if they’re different fabrics. So instead of going with just a single color, wear one of each. A black top with a white skirt or a white shirt tucked into high-waisted black shorts can look very chic and give you a lot of room for creativity while accessorizing.

Wear some leather

Give a girly white dress a little bit of edge by wearing a leather moto jacket or vest over it. While this look obviously wouldn’t be practical on a sunny midsummer afternoon, it’s a great way to cover up and keep warm when the sun goes down in the evening. Pair it with some combat-style boots to really complete the look.

Accessorize with pearls

Remember Holly Golightly’s dress at the beginning of “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”? The intricate pearl necklace she wears just pops against the jet black dress, doesn’t it? Channel your inner Holly Golightly by accessorizing your black black dress with a string of pearls. If you don’t want to give off an Ivy League housewife vibe, go with a long strand that you can wrap around your neck a couple of times.

Faux Pearl Multichain Neclace from MonroeandMain.com

Use your makeup

A smoky eye or some black nail polish can give you a little bit of a rock and roll look when paired with a white outfit. The great thing about black makeup is that it doesn’t take a lot to make a statement, so you don’t have to worry about going overboard. This look goes awesome with a red lip too.

Remember athleisure

Those comfy black pants with the white stripes down the side or the stretchy yoga legging you wear during your workouts don’t exclusively have to be worn at the gym. They can easily transition to the street with a pair of slide sandals and a flowy blouse instead of a T-shirt. You’ll look stylish and be comfortable!