Fashion People Know This Color Combination Has Never Had a Flop Era (and Never Will)
At Who What Wear, we frequently discuss sophisticated color combinations—think camel and red, chocolate brown and burgundy, black and navy, etc. While these pairings may shift with the seasons, one timeless combination remains ever present: the classic duo of black and white. This pairing is the epitome of elegance, and Felicity Jones is the latest style icon to showcase its power.
At the London premiere of her film The Brutalist, Jones dazzled attendees in an exquisite black-and-white dress from Valentino's Pre-Fall 2025 collection. The gown features an alluring halter neckline, a large bow on the chest, a white bodice, and a black V-cut skirt—all creating a quintessentially classy fashion piece. To ensure the dress remained the star of the evening, the actress, who was recently nominated for the British Academy of Film and Television Arts' Supporting Actress award, opted for simple pointed-toe ankle-strap heels.
On Felicity Jones: Valentino Pre-Fall 2025 dress
Beyond Jones's red carpet look, the everlasting allure of black-and-white dresses captured the attention of fashion enthusiasts on the spring/summer 2025 runways. For example, Giambattista Valli showcased a whimsical feather-hemmed gown, Jil Sander presented a modern short-sleeved minidress, and Christian Siriano offered a striking strapless version.
With this in mind, continue scrolling to discover my curated selection of black-and-white dresses worth adding to your wardrobe.
Shop the best black-and-white dresses:
Adding to my winter wish list.
The most sophisticated take on an LBD.
The combination of black and white with tweed creates such a rich-looking dress.
Nikki Chwatt is an associate fashion editor based in New York City. She joined Who What Wear in 2024 after writing fashion, beauty, and lifestyle content for WWD, Well+Good, Editorialist, and more. With a passion for personal style and the creativity that comes with it, one of Chwatt's goals is to help others understand that there is no such thing as a “good” or “bad” style; it’s just about putting an outfit together that makes you feel confident in yourself. When she's not writing, you can find her taking a Pilates class, reading a powerful romance novel, or exploring a new wellness spot in Manhattan.
-
Spotted at JFK Airport: The Only Boot Trend TSA Won't Give You Side-Eye for Wearing
Comfortable, stylish, and most importantly, functional.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
From L.A. to Paris, It Girls Are Swapping Their Classic Ballet Flats for This Elevated Alt
Rightfully so.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
I Need More Color in My Wardrobe—These 32 Zara Finds Are Just Gorgeous
Mood boosters.
By Caitlin Burnett
-
So *This* Is the Evening Bag Color Everyone Should Be Wearing With Black Gowns
Perfect for spring.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
It's Back: The Humble Sandal Trend That New Yorkers Love to Hate
Spotted in L.A.
By Nikki Chwatt
-
Everyone in Paris Is Wearing This Dress Trend Instead of Slips and Drop Waists Now
It's a quintessentially French style.
By Michelle Scanga
-
I Give It a Week Before Everyone With Taste Is Wearing This Elegant Pant Trend
Don't take it from me—take it from Hailey Bieber.
By Eliza Huber
-
It's True: This Pretty Dress Trend Is Officially Back From the Dead
Call it a revival.
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman