How to print mix black and white outfits

Black and white may be simple. But it’s also incredibly chic and sophisticated. It never goes out of style. One of the great things about black and white is that it’s super easy to mix prints together to create an outfit that is versatile and interesting. In this article we’re looking at how to mix and match your black and white prints to create beautiful black and white outfits.

Why we love black and white outfits

First, let’s look at just some of the many reasons to embrace black and white in your outfits.

Moss Rose Wrap Ruana – Alexander McQueen Orchid Print Cotton T-Shirt – Misook Colorblocked Lace Longline Jacket – FINIZO Soft Scarf – MANGO Floral Long Skirt – Alice + Olivia Willa Combo Silk Shirt – Open Edit Imitation Pearl Crystal Pavé Button Drop Earrings – Zavana Bib Necklace – CELINE Monochrome 57mm Rectangular Sunglasses – Zimmermann Tuck Belted Polka Dot Wide-Leg Pant – Veronica Beard Cheshire Striped Cashmere Cardigan – Elie Tahari Ellis Colorblocked V-Neck Sleeveless Jumpsuit – C.Paravano Leather Slingback Flats – Dr. Scholl’s Madison Sneakers – Aimee Kestenberg About Town Leather Drawstring Bucket Bag

You can’t get it wrong

Trust us. It’s tough to go wrong when putting together a black-and-white outfit. Go on, get everything out of your closet that is black or white, or black and white, and lay it out on your bed. You can see that everything goes with everything else.

Dress and blouse Adolpho Dominguiz, shoes Russel & Bromly, Sunglasses Burberry – similar striped tee, shirt (other option here and here), dress (another option here), tights, boots, bag (another option here), earrings, hat and sunglasses

See my outfit in action!

You can wear black and white outfits to suit your body type

We always talk about not following fashion slavishly but using fashion to flatter your figure and accentuate what you love. You can use either black or white to either downplay or highlight a part of your body you like.

For example, if you are a pear shape and have larger hips and thighs, you can wear black on your bottom half and white on the top to balance your silhouette. If you are an inverted triangle, do the opposite.

Dress and blouse Adolpho Dominguiz, shoes Russel & Bromly, Sunglasses Burberry – similar striped tee, shirt (other option here and here), dress (another option here), tights, boots, bag (another option here), earrings, hat and sunglasses

You can switch them up with a pop of color

Black and white go with all of your colors. You can use black and white classic items as the basis for a capsule wardrobe, and then add different colors to create different looks.

Georgette @grownandcurvywoman above (read her style interview here) looks fabulous in her polka dot outfit. Note that she uses a big print for her pants and a smaller print for her top, which is a great way to mix your prints.

Recreate her outfit with this similar top (another option here), pants (plus size option here), coat, booties, clutch and earrings.

Black and white is timeless and sophisticated

Black and white aren’t some faddy colors that won’t be on trend the next season. So, you can be sure that your black and white clothes, shoes and accessories are a good, timeless invesment.

prints tend to be perennial

Black and white prints tend to be very timeless. Think about it. You often get houndstooth, polka dot, and striped clothes in black and white.

Dress and blouse Adolpho Dominguiz, shoes Russel & Bromly, Sunglasses Burberry – similar striped tee, dress (another option here), tights, boots, bag (another option here), earrings, hat and sunglasses

Below, you can see how designers chose to use black and white on the spring runways. We love Victoria Beckham’s big graphic prints, and the timelessness of the polka dots and stripes.

Victoria Beckham – Yohji Yamamoto – Chanel

What if black or white aren’t really our colors?

Black can look quite harsh on many older women. That’s why it often works best to combine black with its counterpart white. It immediately makes the overall look less harsh and more playful.

If you do not need some extra color close to your face, consider wearing brighter lipstick or wearing colorful earrings, (sun)glasses or a scarf.

Dress and blouse Adolpho Dominguiz, shoes Russel & Bromly, Sunglasses Burberry – similar striped tee, shirt (other option here and here), dress (another option here), tights, boots, bag (another option here), earrings, hat and sunglasses

Black and white print capsule

We hope we have inspired you to do some black-and-white print mixing. Let’s create a fabulous capsule wardrobe from items available in shops today featuring only black and white. You’ll see there are lots of ideas for print mixing.

tops

You can get this season’s big floral print trend using only black and white, choose color-blocking, opt for black-and-white stripes, or choose to be subtle with a new take on the classic white t-shirt.

Alexander McQueen Orchid Print Cotton T-Shirt – J.Crew Vintage Contrast Trim Rib Shrunken T-shirt – Splendid Whitney Striped Crop T-Shirt – Alice + Olivia Willa Combo Silk Shirt

Black and white stripes really work as a neutral because they go with everything, so you can wear black and white stripes with a big, bold print.

Splendid Whitney Striped Crop T-Shirt – DIARRABLU Leer Suto Print Palazzo Pants – C.Paravano Leather Slingback Flats – Staud Mini Moon Leather Shoulder Bag – AUGTIGER Stud Earrings

Black and white jackets and cardigans

Moving onto jackets and cardigans, look out for stripes, dots and square designs. Or, add a touch of glamour with black and white sequins.

Veronica Beard Cheshire Striped Cashmere Cardigan – Elie Tahari The Ari Polka Dot Cardigan – Moss Rose Wrap Ruana – Wayf Kennedy Sequined Houndstooth Jacket

Wayf Kennedy Sequined Houndstooth Jacket – Zimmermann Tuck Belted Polka Dot Wide-Leg Pant – Linea Paolo Violeta Halo Strap Wedge Sandal – Boutique De FGG Acrylic Clutch – AUGTIGER Stud Earrings

black and white pants outfits

You may not consider black a color to wear in warmer months. But, when you mix it with white, then black and white palazzo and wide leg pants are perfect for vacations. We also love the minimalist look of the colorblock stripe pants by Reiss.

Zimmermann Tuck Belted Polka Dot Wide-Leg Pant – Reiss May Colorblocked Wide-Leg Pants – Cinq à Sept Coastal Floral Phoebe Pants – DIARRABLU Leer Suto Print Palazzo Pants

Carmen @carmen_gimeno above opts for a pair of stripe pants and adds interest with her embroidered top. She keeps her sunglasses in keeping with the black and white theme and adds color with her bag and lipstick.

Check out this similar top (other options here and here), pants, sandals, handbag, necklace and sunglasses.

Black and white dresses and jumpsuits

If you want to mix black and white, you can also do it super easily. Just buy dresses and jumpsuits that have already done the print-mixing for you. We love the subtle white stitching on the pocket dress by Proenza Schouler, the twist detail on the T-shirt dress, and the slimming effect that the long vertical stripes on the Misook dress and the V-neck jumpsuit create.

Misook Colorblocked Lace Longline Jacket – Proenza Schouler White Label Lucy Sleeveless Tie-Waist Midi-Dress – Tanya Taylor Chandan Striped Midi-Dress – Elie Tahari Ellis Colorblocked V-Neck Sleeveless Jumpsuit

Kim @kimair above (read her style interview here) layers her prints with a larger print under her slip dress. She adds texture with her boots and bag and keeps her coat simple so her look isn’t too ‘busy’.

Get her look with this similar top (another option here), dress (other options here and here), coat, boots, earrings and bag.

Black and white shoes

Adding a pair of black and white shoes is the perfect first step into color mixing with black and white. You can choose a pair that is color blocked like the toe cap shoes or sandals, or look for a print.

C.Paravano Leather Slingback Flats – Allegra K Slingback Block Heel Sandal – Allegra K Tweed Pumps – Dr. Scholl’s Madison Sneakers

Proenza Schouler White Label Lucy Sleeveless Tie-Waist Midi-Dress – Allegra K Slingback Block Heel Sandal – Bao Bao Issey Miyake Lucent Tote Bag – Open Edit Imitation Pearl & Crystal Pavè Collar Necklace – Open Edit Imitation Pearl Crystal Pavé Button Drop Earrings

accessories to go with your elegant black and white outfits

Have some fun with your black and white accessories by choosing different prints and big, statement jewelry.

Aimee Kestenberg About Town Leather Drawstring Bucket Bag – Staud Mini Moon Leather Shoulder Bag – Boutique De FGG Acrylic Clutch – Zavana Bib Necklace – Open Edit Imitation Pearl & Crystal Pavè Collar Necklace – Open Edit Imitation Pearl Crystal Pavé Button Drop Earrings – AUGTIGER Stud Earrings – CELINE Monochrome 57mm Rectangular Sunglasses – L. Erickson Knotted Head Wrap – FINIZO Soft Scarf

Alexander McQueen Orchid Print Cotton T-Shirt – Cinq à Sept Coastal Floral Phoebe Pants – Dr. Scholl’s Madison Sneakers – Aimee Kestenberg About Town Leather Drawstring Bucket Bag – Zavana Bib Necklace

Your black and white outfits together in one capsule

Below you can see lots of ideas for black and white print mixing. If you feel that you have too many prints in any outfit, simply add items that are plain black or plain white into the mix.

Shop the best black and white outfits in stores now:

Don’t forget to tell us about your own black and white outfit ideas in the comments below!

Continue reading:

1. How To Mix Prints And Patterns Like An Expert
2. How To Wear Black Over 40
3. How To Wear Polkadots This Summer – Discover The Best Polka Dot Outfits!

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