How to Make All Black or All White Look Special

The minimal all-black or all-white outfit is simple and always stylish.  Age doesn’t matter. But do you know how to make a neutral monochrome outfit look special? In this post, I give the answer to that question in more ways than one. Then, besides all the different ways to spice up white or black, I share outfit ideas to get you started putting it all together. I think you’ll enjoy seeing how some artistic women of a certain age really nail the look!

Style Tip:  The Secret to Acing a Black or White Outfit

Wear an all-black or all-white ensemble in different textures.  Try lace, sequins, chiffon, mesh, embroidered mesh, pointelle, crochet, metallic shimmer, studs, snakeskin, cashmere, velvet, leather, suede, faux fur, even black patterned stockings!

Some examples:

1. Toss a black leather jacket over a black outfit.
2. A black lace or leather jacket over a black tank top and black lace-print pants. Wear with black heels.
3. A long-sleeve black top over a black pencil skirt topped by an embellished black vest.  Add a crystal brooch, bracelets and rings.

Ways to add Style to a Black or White outfit

Here are a few ways to add style to a black or white outfit:

• Basically, add gold to a black or white outfit.
• Animal-print accessories add a glamorous edge.
• Add color, either over your outfit or as accessories to brighten it up.  If black or white is not your best color, add your most flattering colors next to your face with jewelry and/or scarves.

• Wear a long, dangling necklace to spark interest. A big necklace turns a basic black or white outfit into something special.
• With all black or all white, try a bib necklace or multiple strands of turquoise beads. Turquoise and green go with anything, so you could also try green accessories.
• With an all-black or all-white outfit, wear a few gold chains with a string of coral (or other color) beads.  Add gold studs and some gold bracelets.

Outfit Combinations That Make All Black or All White Look Special

• A white tee + white chinos or jeans.  Add brown sandals + sunnies.
• A black tank over a long, slim, black matte jersey skirt.  Add a long silk tank over it in a beautiful color, like citron.  Add booties, black bracelets, sunglasses if sunny.
• A colorful blazer, such as teal, over a black sheath or slip dress.

• A colorful blazer over a white tunic tee + white skinnies.
• Add a jean jacket to a black dress.
• A white top + white pants + a jean jacket.  Add a gold statement necklace.  Or use black as your base.

HOW TO ELEVATE ALL BLACK OR ALL WHITE OUTFITS FOR BUSINESS

1. With a black blouse and black pants, wear a teal  or other color blazer.  You may want to add a studded purse.  Add pumps/heels.
2. Pin an ornate metalwork brooch to a black suit.
3. Add a hefty gold chain necklace to a white suit.
4. Add a black blazer to a white outfit, or a white blazer to a black outfit.

BLACK EVENING OUTFITS

• Big city evening or cocktails:  Black tuxedo jacket + a black evening camisole + black pants or skirt.  Add black satin heels, matching bag, gold jewels.  You may also add a gold belt.
• A black quilted bomber jacket + a sheer or silky black slip dress + silver or gold jewelry, such as a star-studded headband.
• A black open-weave sweater + palazzo pants.  Add a black shawl + crystal drop earrings and bracelets.  Wear your hair up and red lipstick.
• A painted silk jacket over a black tank + black pants.  Add a green medallion and earrings.
• A black lace tank with a black cami + a black wool trumpet skirt.  Add a statement necklace + a bracelet or two.
• An embellished vest with an embellished skirt, not necessarily matching as long as they are both white or both black!

• A black maxi-dress + a gold and turquoise waterfall necklace + strappy black wedge sandals.
• Start with a black cape dress.  Then add:  (1) black tights, black suede heels and a bib necklace; (2) a studded or black-and-crystal belt, tall black boots and jewelry of choice; (3) an oversize vintage locket; (4) matching gold cuff bracelets.
• A black maxi-dress + a black belt with jeweled buckle.
• A short-sleeve black lace top over an LBD.  Add a long necklace, and maybe a hat.
• A long-sleeve black maxi-dress + a fur vest + black boots.  Add a long pendant + rings.
• A sheer black top over a black sheath dress.

WHITE EVENING OUTFITS

Helen Mirren with friend

1. A white slip dress + a white draped cardigan.
2. An embellished cardigan over an LBD or a white slip dress.
3. A white tunic t-shirt under or over a white slip dress.  Add a few mixed bangles.
4. A white slip dress + a sheer white shirt as jacket.  Add gold, pearls and/or crystals.  You may even add brown heels or booties.

Let’s Connect!

How do you make your black or white ensembles look special?  Let us know what works for you by leaving a reply below!  

Like this post?  You might also like to read:

• “Color Style Tips:  How to Wear Shades of White Now and Into Fall”
• “6 Style Tips and Outfit Ideas for Wearing Pearls in Old and New Ways”
• “Over 50 Black Outfits to Wear Spring and Summer:  For the Goth and New Yorker in You!”

Do you have a friend who would like this?  Please use the Share buttons.

Never miss a post! Click “Subscribe” in the drop-down at top or fill in the blanks for the “Newsletter” at right. That would be a great help in supporting my blog. I would appreciate it very much!

Please support Your True Self Blog by visiting my Shop for Style Guides HERE. Or go to the top of this page and select the Shop tab.

Please follow Your True Self Blog on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and Bloglovin.

Thank you for visiting!

Angie

Related posts:

Style Tip of the Day: How to Brighten Your Outfit How to Dress Yourself for Immunity Using the Amazing Powers of Color 5 Bloggers Put the Spotlight on Summer with Style & Beauty Tips

Color Series, Evening, Outfit Combinations, Style Tips, Tips and Tricks

Black, Black Outfits, Monochrome, Outfit Ideas, White, White Outfits