Charlize Theron is just the latest in a long line of style setters who have ditched the color wheel to embrace a sleeker black-and-white look. Taking cues from the Spring runways and street-style fixtures, some of our favorite celebs are adopting the striking color duo for just about every occasion and inspiring a new set of ways to wear the classic palette. Click on to see more than 50 Hollywood trendsetters and fashion fixtures showing off the look.
— Additional reporting by Mandi Villa
Basic black and white is a crisp approach to dressing that manages to be both classic and of the moment. We love how it looks but also appreciate its life-simplifying abilities. It's an easy combo to reach for when the alarm clock fails or you're too stressed to put together a more complex color story.
Shop our favorite dresses, skirts, and tops here, and then look to these perfectly put-together celebs for more inspiration.
There's something to be said about using the sleek, basic color combination of black and white. Whether you're incorporating these hues through a few accents or theming your entire space around this color duo, you're sure to achieve a high-end, high-style design. Better yet, black and white is a timeless trend, and the neutral hues can be incorporated into any interior and style. Check out a few key pieces below!
Here's the thing: the black-and-white color combo isn't going anywhere anytime soon. It's no wonder why glamorous A-listers, the downtown-cool set, and everyone in between gravitate toward this monochromatic dressing palette: it's virtually impossible to get it wrong. The only snag that comes with this classic pairing is breathing new life into it. To keep this quintessential contrast fresh, we've culled an eclectic mix of street stylers in their black-and-white best. From stark graphic prints and strategic LWD colorblocking to old-school denim cutoff and t-shirt match-ups, there's enough styling inspiration to keep our sleek Summer outfits on point. For more monochromatic goodness, just keep clicking.
Celebs understand that the contrast between black and white can be super chic; that's why they've been rocking their little white dresses with black shoes. Malin Akerman wore her sexy white cutout Cushnie et Ochs dress with black cutout sandals, Kim Kardashian paired a white Lanvin dress with black ankle-strap pumps, and Ashley Madekwe sported black pointy pumps with her white shift dress. Step inside to see who else wore their little white dresses with black shoes and to shop similar pieces for your wardrobe.
Black and white outfits covered the runways for Fall, and celebrities like Blake Lively and Cameron Diaz have been rocking the classic color combo. In today's episode of Currently Trending, we headed to Saks Fifth Avenue to show you three creative ways to wear this sophisticated color palette right now. From a textural leather and fur combo to Winter-white separates and ladylike peplum, take a cue from these outfits when wearing black and white this season. On Allison: Tibi jacket, Equipment blouse, Zara shorts.
It's hard to look chic while traveling, especially if you've been on the road for a few days taking in sun and Summer cocktails (think Annie in Bridesmaids). Keep your look fresh and classic this travel season with an understated laptop bag that can travel with you from plane and train to party without overtaking your look.
Clockwise from top right:
Rebecca Minkoff New Virginia Laptop Case ($255), City Tote with Laptop Sleeve ($110), Fossil Key-Per Tech Sleeve ($35), Maggie Bags Laptop Bag ($100) and Jason Wu Jean Tote Bag ($1,495).
Lately, it's just simplified black and white palettes that have us swooning over this batch of celebrity looks. Emma Roberts, Olivia Palermo, and Katie Holmes each take their monochromatic combo style out for evening, outfitting their cocktail-ready looks in black and white stripes, chic suiting, and a classic strapless. The results are striking; plus the clean palette supplies another opportunity — the chance to play up accent hues like Emma's bright red lips or Olivia's leopard-print pumps. If you're looking to channel the same monochromatic chic, just shop our editor's picks below.
I love the graphic, playful pattern on this strapless dress worn by a model at Bluepring 2011 Spotlight Singapore. Designed by Hansel, the dress features a mellow mustard-hued sash tie. You can easily translate this color scheme to a home look. Start with a black sofa, like the WIlliams-Sonoma Home Beverly Sofa ($3,200) in coal. Then, layer on a graphically patterned black and white rug. My favorite for the past few years has been the Design Within Reach Manuscrit Rug ($3,400). If that price is too steep for you (as it is for me), try this La Poeme Rug, which has a similar look for thousands of dollars less.
Add a yellow floor lamp or pendant lamp, like the Kartell Suspension Lamp ($270) to add a shot of color to the mix, and make sure to accent your space with yellow flowers like ranunculus or roses.
Have you worked with this color scheme in your home?
Picking a style for baby's nursery can be one of the toughest design choices you'll make for your home. At best, you want the room to be calming, inviting, fun, and inspirational, which means narrowing down colors and textures isn't easy. With detailed patterns, Parisian chicness and crisp prints, black and white continues to be a decor trend for parents that aim to keep baby's room simple and clean. Whether you go with a room full of the contrasting shades, or use a few black and white pieces interspersed between brighter colors, check out these artful accents.
