The great thing about black and white is that these two colors in fashion give us endless possibilities. Whether they’re paired together or worn alone, we can pull off just about any look in any season. Additionally, these two colors make accessorizing a breeze. This season you can turn to black and white in new ways you may not have thought of before.

Fashion in black and white has been around for a long time. Many famous women over the years were known for sporting fabulous threads in these two colors. Great examples include Diana Ross in the 1980s, when she sported an edgy black and white jumpsuit that contained both skinny and wide stripes that stretched across the fabric both horizontally and vertically. Ann-Margaret rocked the mod look by wearing a black and white printed top with a checkerboard mini skirt, thigh-high white boots, and topped it off with a white headband back in the 1960s. As far back as the 1940s, women like Lauren Bacall made black and white sexy by wearing a zebra print top, white skirt, and black pumps. This time around, fashion designers everywhere are embracing black and white prints and patterns, allowing women of all shapes and sizes to enjoy these two classic colors that never go out of style.

When it comes to accessorizing your next black and white ensemble, this year is all about pairing it with nudes, metallics, and bright colors. Many designers are coupling black and white graphics into special prints on key clothing items such as dresses, skirts, and loose, flowy tops. This year is all about black and white patterns. With just one patterned piece you can completely transform an otherwise boring and bland outfit. The trick to using black and white patterns is to learn what type of designs/graphics flatters your figure. For example, narrow stripes can create the illusion of a slimmer figure, especially when smartly paired with wider stripes. Additionally, black side panels can also visually take inches off your waist.

For women with wide hips, use patterned black and white fashion pieces to your advantage by wearing a printed top to create balance and draw the eye away from your wide hips. Plus size or curvier women can benefit from wearing the right allover print with a diagonal drift to create a slimming effect that is also flattering to your body. Petite women can use the power of vertical lines in black and white to add the illusion of added height.

In addition to knowing what patterns and/or prints to wear when it comes to black and white, it’s also important to properly accessorize. This means keeping your hair and jewelry fairly simple. The goal is to create an overall balance. Think sleek and simple. When it comes to makeup, keep this fairly natural as well. Feminine and soft work well for such outfits. Stay away from fire-engine red lips or other colors that may make your two-toned ensemble seem out of place.

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