12 Outfits That Prove Black and White Are Anything But Boring

Although we’ve been all over the red trend recently, we wouldn’t call ourselves true fashion girls and guys if we didn’t have a soft spot for the timeless combination of black and white in an outfit. Whether a colorless outfit feels dull to you or a pared-back palette has always been part of your personal style, we can all agree that this color combination transcends seasons and trends and, above all, always looks sophisticated. (Heads-up: You’ll find some work-perfect looks here.) Yes, black-and-white outfits can easily come across as lifeless or boringly corporate. But fashion folks agree that it’s all in the styling when it comes to looking extremely chic in these simple tones.

Find out what makes these black-and-white outfits anything but boring and shop the pieces you need to create a beautifully pared-down look for yourself.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

All about accessoriesground a crisp white dress with black shoes, a black bag, and a black belt.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

One word: layering. A white lace shirt elevates a tailored jumpsuit and adds pretty texture.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Mix flirty and tailored styles together to create a unique balance between the two. Leandra toughens up a delicate lace dress with a sharp blazer.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

If there's one print that looks so good in black and white, it's bold polka dots. Fashion girls are loving the pattern on everything this season.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Your go-to black-and-white outfit should be this simple yet fresh look. White boots are the perfect item to liven up an otherwise all-black ensemble.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Pile on the patterns. Mix and match a few different black-and-white patterns in your outfit. Just make sure they’re all small or all large prints.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Have an eye out for details. Black-and-white outfits can easily come across as boring, so opt for unconventional silhouettes like balloon sleeves or cool finishes like leather.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

The outfit combination we’re wearing on repeating this fall: pretty blouse + midi skirt + slouchy knee-high boots.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Contrast stitching elevates even the most basic styles.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Okay, so we said white boots were the only shoes that mattered this season, and we lied. All white shoes have us hitting the heart-eye emoji.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Copy and paste this outfit when you run out of things to wear to work.

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(Image credit: Collage Vintage)

Try ankle-strap shoes with contrasting colors.

Shop the black and white items made for mixing and matching:

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.