Black and white remains the eternal chic combination to wear and below we will show you LOTS of black and white outfits that can inspire your next look.

Even if black and white are not your best colors there are many ways to wear black and white to suit your unique coloring

We appreciate black and white pairings because of their inherent minimalism.

Even when heavily accessorized or embellished, the look still retains an inherent minimalism that transcends style personalities.

A few tweaks can take the look from rocker chic to romantic elegance.

Black and white outfits you can wear

Below I will showcase black and white outfits from myself and other women.

I have selected those black and white outfits that are timeless and still look hip today now that we are in  2019!

Outfits with a white top and black base

White asymmetrical shirt and cropped black pants | 40plusstyle.com

This is the classic combination but that doesn’t mean it has to be boring!

Pairing your black base with an asymmetrical white top is both chic and hip!

Please note, these tops are no longer available but I’m loving this white asymmetrical top.

black cropped pants with an asymmetrical top | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white looks extra nice when you combine a simple outfit with pumps, but simple ballerinas or arty flats would work fine too.

The hat makes the outfit a little bit dandy, the pumps makes it feminine and create the perfect balance.

Chic black and white look with a classic bag | 40plusstyle.com

Combine your white tops with a (colorful) statement necklace

Black skirt with a white asymmetrical top | 40plusstyle.com

If white close to your face is not your best color, a great trick is to add a statement necklace. Red always looks really good on me and it gives this outfit the pop of color it needs!

The below necklace works well too as do the colorful glasses.

Add color to your black and white outfit with a colorful necklace | 40plusstyle.com

A chic black and white mini skirt look | 40plusstyle.com

Black pants with white top and a statement necklace - a classic combination | 40plusstyle.com

Outfits with black top and white base

Linda Fargo keeps it really simple with a black top and white mini skirt. Her red lips provide the dash of color.

Linda Fargo wearing black and white | 40plusstyle.com

Not a lot of color here but I’m reinforcing the black and white theme with accessories. The different texture in the outfit makes it interesting.

black and white holiday casual outfit with shorts | 40plusstyle.com

I love the simplicity of the below outfit where the accessories truly shine. I also love how she breaks the style ‘rule’ that you can’t wear wide with wide. It works here as her top is really short.

Check out our complete guide on how to wear wide leg pants here.

Elegant looks for women over 40 in black and white | 40plusstyle.com

Black top with a printed bottom

A black sleevles vest and striped skirt | 40plusstyle.com

Plaid and layering were two key trends on the fall catwalks, and this look features both, along with a statement pendant necklace. Photo by @stylishmurmurs

Plaide - 20 different ways to wear black | 40plusstyle.com

If you’d like to read more about Deborah and her style, you may read her style interview here.

A fabulous transitional piece, a classic black leather moto jacket can take summer outfits through to fall. Here, black booties and a pair of aviators provide the perfect finishing touches! Photo by @mummaslove4fashion

 20 different ways to wear black | 40plusstyle.com

Diana is wearing  monochrome topper is worn over a black dress to create a stylish black and white outfit. Chunky rings add extra interest and are one of 40+ stylish Ruth Essex’s tips for instantly adding style to any outfit. Photo by @dianagabrielnyc

Patterned coat and kimono jacket - 20 different ways to wear black | 40plusstyle.com

Get Diana’s tips on how to make a statement with her style interview here.

Black and white pattern mixing

Black and white lends itself perfectly for print mixing. Stripes, dots and patterns can easily be mixed together.

Below you will see this simple polkadot dress I bought. I combined it with an old (and neglected) pencil skirt I have, which actually has an asymmetric undercover (not really visible here). I thought that outfit looked quite decent, but I wanted to add some more pizazz…

Black and white polkadot dress layered over skirt | 40plusstyle.com

Red hat versus black hat

Also note, that I tried this outfit with both my red hat and my black hat that looks a bit like a hat from the twenties.

The red hat is a little bit more photogenic while the black is a bit more chic.

Black versus white, pattern mixing with polkadots | 40plusstyle.com

Adding the second graphic top, makes for some nice pattern mixing, a trend I have admired in others and was keen to try out myself.

The top is also very versatile and you can really have fun with it for photographs! In the end I decided to go with the black hat, as I felt that the outfit itself was playful enough. Of course, I kept the red shoes and watch.

Have fun with black and white pattern mixing | 40plusstyle.com

A perfect example of black and white pattern mixing | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white dresses

A dress is always a good idea and a black and white printed dress is great at camouflaging your belly too.

Gorgeous black and white dress | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white dress with over the knee boots | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white dress in animal print | 40plusstyle.com

A chic white dress with black lace | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white outfit inspiration: Animal print dress | 40plusstyle.com

Polka dots are a perennial style staple which are always on-trend, but they’ve definitely been having a moment this year. Here, they are teamed with bright boots and matching earrings. Photo by @curvycartel

There’s more polka dot inspiration here.

Polka dots - 20 different ways to wear black | 40plusstyle.com

Little black dress with a big white bow | 40plusstyle.com

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white dress with a black and white statement necklace | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white snake print dress | 40plusstyle.com

A black and white blazer worn as a dress | 40plusstyle.com

Wearing perfectly matching black and white outfits | 40plusstyle.com

Simple and chic in black and white | 40plusstyle.com

modern and chic in black and white | 40plusstyle.com Pretty dresses in black and white | 40plusstyle.com

pretty dresses for a fashion lunch | 40plusstyle.com

body-con polkadot black and white dress | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white printed tops

A modern, yet comfortable look!

Black and white graphical look | 40plusstyle.com

classically chic with a black skirt and printed blouse | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white printed top on a white skirt | 40plusstyle.com

Black a-line skirt with a printed top and yellow shoes | 40plusstyle.com

Edgier black outfits featuring leather

If you want to look a bit edgier then black has always been the color of choice. A leather jacket adds a bit of fierceness to your look.

Edgy outfit ideas from New York | 40plusstyle.com

Minimalism was taken to a new standard in this look.

A peplum cut leather jacket layered effortlessly on a sheer white dress.

We love the contrasting green clutch that brings some evening elegance into the day, but is cheerfully appropriate when contrasted with the black and white pairing.

Leather Peplum Jacket over a white striped dress | 40plusstyle.com

Bohemian and edgy looks in black and white | 40plusstyle.com

Elegant black and white outfit | 40plusstyle.com

white pants with black lace top and leather | 40plusstyle.com

I love the funky & edgy look of this woman who truly makes a statement with this (almost) all black outfit!

funky & edgy look

Embellish your black outfit with gold

If you want to embellish your black and white outfit and add a bit more pizazz, then you can add a bit of glamour with sequins as in the photo below.

Gold coats are always a glamorous choice | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white suits

printed black and white suit with white cape | 40plusstyle.com

black and white suit | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white outfits with coats

Expert tailored pieces that fit and flatter take looks to the next level.

We love how seamlessly the ankle boots integrate with this ensemble.

Black Coat White Dress Booties | 40plusstyle.com

Here is Linda fargo again in a beautiful black and white outfit.

She has chosen to stay warm in the cold New York winter in what looks like a fur coat and hat. But then, who knows, it may be fake fur too.

Although I like her look, I would personally choose not to wear fur. I would not even wear fake fur when that looks too much like real fur.

Linda Fargo wearing black and white during fashion week in New York | 40plusstyle.com

Modern and edgy black and white coat | 40plusstyle.com

Loving this black and white cape worn over a straight skirt.

Black and white cape | 40plusstyle.com

This look showcases how to perfectly wear thigh high boots without looking like you stepped off of the set of Pretty Woman (pre-makeover).

The unique cut of the white coat with the contrasting black fringe coordinates perfectly with thigh high suede boots.

Truly, the look is composed of two key pieces (the coat and thigh high boots), which when paired together make it look more complex.

Fringed Coat Suede Thigh High Boots | 40plusstyle.com

A modern coat meets a rustic (Laura Ingalls Wilder-esque) utilitarian dress to create a very chic sartorial contrast. We love the black accents on the coat and the black peek of her gloves and bag.

White Coat Utilitarian Modern | 40plusstyle.com

The monochromatic bottom with the lighter top makes her look even leaner.

We love how she has three layers, but her play with mixed lengths certainly does not make it look bulky at all. The all-black bottom puts the stripes and textures of her tops on display and shows of the fabulous styling.

Leather Leggings Turtleneck Chanel | 40plusstyle.com

Chic black and white outfit | 40plusstyle.com

Streetstyle inspiration: white capelet paired with a black and white floral skirt | 40plusstyle.com

Mostly black outfits with a bit of white

Androgynous style in New York | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white romper suits

Streetstyle inspiration: pleeted black and white romper | 40plusstyle.com

Layering with black and white

Loving the long vest here, which is still very much on trend.

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looking very chic and modern in black and white | 40plusstyle.com

A perfectly layered outfit with a pop of color | 40plusstyle.com

long white skirt with black jacket | 40plusstyle.com

Outfits with black and white stripes

Wearing black with black and white stripes | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white outfits with shorts

Black and white outfits with shorts

All black with a white leather bag and red shoes | 40plusstyle.com

Black and white accessories

Want to make a black outfit more interesting? Mix with white accessories! | 40plusstyle.com

A simple necklace can make a big difference for a black top | 40plusstyle.com
Accessorize your black and white outfit with pearl | 40plusstyle.com

Super chic black and white outfit with matching unbrella | 40plusstyle.com

blackandwhitewithcolororange

Black and white for a wedding!

Wearing black and white for a wedding ! | 40plusstyle.com

That concludes our overview of black and white outfits, which should have given you a lot of inspiration on how to wear black and white.

If you prefer all black have a look at our article on how to wear all black.

Want to know how to wear other colors? Check one of our color guides

How to wear:

Do like to wear black & white?

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Feature image by @stilemeraviglia

Most photographs by Denton Taylor

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

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