6 Looks That Are All-Black, But Still Work For Summer

For some, warm weather calls for bright prints and highly saturated hues. For others (ourselves included), it's yet another season of mostly black attire. Black jeans turn into black cutoffs. Black turtlenecks turn into black T-shirts. Black tights turn into bare legs — because we get hot, too. The monochromatic look may not be an obvious solution for the spring and summertime, but you can make it work after the temperatures rise above 70ºF. Need proof? We've got some serious outfit inspirations, plucked straight off the burning-hot asphalt of fashion week street style. These ensembles prove you not only can wear black year-round — you probably should. First, you can metal to the max: Simply embellish your all-black duds with silver tiling. They add a downtown, rock-and-roll edge with a sophisticated sensibility, so you get the best of both aesthetics with minimal effort. We call that a win-win.

Avoid looking too stuffy (and overheating) in monochrome black with a drapey dress. Not only will the casual silhouette catch some very welcome breezes; it can also be worn cinched at the waist with a belt, for a more polished look.

Pleats, please. Play with texture, without branching outside the color way. A perfectly pleated, oversized tunic adds an element of drama to a simple, black #OOTD — especially if you manage to catch a gust of wind.

Normally, we save our baggy trousers and cropped T-shirts for lounging around the house. But, with the right fit, these off-duty staples can make a quick errand run feel distinctly more put-together. We mean it: A sleeveless top, cut right at the waist, and slim, straight-legged pants that bunch up just the right amount let you reconcile that home-on-the-couch feel with a street-style-magnet look.

So, you're not ready to let go of the rainbow just yet. That's fine: It's the summer, after all; color is allowed. What you can do, then, is use your LBD as an anchor for some seasonally-appropriate color play. This particular frock gets a dash of whimsy in the form of blue-and-pink lace that starts at the bodice and extends at the skirt. Two contrasting clutches play up this ensemble's color story.

When you're boiling it down to the basics, it's about making a silhouette feel special. So, what to do with a black maxi dress? Give the edges just the slightest bit of fray, for a worn-in feel. A pop of yellow is all the color you need in a summertime wardrobe. And, of course, the staple to end all staples: Our go-to Chucks, which need no introduction, perfectly round out each and every #OOTD.