You know by now that I have lots of clothes that fit this category. Which means it should be easy for me to paint it black and find a whiter shade of pale.
And that would be true except sometimes too much choice is not a good thing. I really don’t want this post to run on for days or to throw a hundred looks at you. I’m afraid you would become bored and all the black and white would put you to sleep. Or me to sleep!
So I have made a concerted effort to narrow down the options to my favourites…or those that I feel are truly worthy of you.
And even at that, this is going to be a multi-part posting!
So we may as well start with skirts and dresses. Trust me, this is nowhere near all of the black and white options I had piled up to work with but I’ve picked five that work best for me and are pretty easy to work with if you want to try something similar.
The White Dress - I have started with a white dress, midi-length (Antipodean, purchased from Shopbop.com). I like that it has leather trim around the arm opening and pockets.I have added a black belt and vintage handbag, which I think play toward the 40s vintage look and to make sure the 40s thing is full on the mid-heel t-bar black shoe with white trim. Just for fun I have put a white and silver scarab pendant on a piece of black and white ribbon to wear as a necklace (purchased in Egypt).
- Black and White for Work - A simple black wool pencil skirt, topped by a white button-down shirt with pleated shoulder detail (shirt from Hong Kong, skirt tailor-made in Hong Kong). Matched with the old Target $25 handbag, black pearl necklaces and bracelet, plus white and grey cut-out mid-heel shoes.
- Black and White Zig-Zag Print Skirt – Here’s another look that can be worn to work. I did something similar when looking at Gypsy Chic using a different skirt and boots. You know I love the ruffled shirts! Matched up with a fitted vest and my zig-zag print skirt it all comes together looking pretty sharp! Add in the Target bag (again), an art deco necklace from Egypt and the ballet flats it’s good for a busy day at work. You may remember the skirt was purchased at a discount store in the US.
Black & White and Leather all Over! - Even though it is subtle, I wanted this look to be a mix of prints. I have used the black leather bomber/varsity jacket and the black boots to tie it all together. You will notice that the shirt is striped, the skirt is a fine plaid and then the scarf and handbag are two more prints! Four prints in one look and I think it works pretty well. It’s a great way to get used to mixing prints if you haven’t yet gotten into that trend. I really like this look and am sure that I’ll be wearing it soon…maybe to the CFC breakfast in June.
- Black and White Fun! – I love the 60s vibe of this white eyelet lace dress. Trouble is, it’s too short for my old lady knees! So I have matched it up with a really cool pair of leggings I purchased in Hong Kong. I love how the pattern in the leggings kind of mimics the pattern in the lace. I worked on New Years Day this year and wore this to work as a bit of a celebration! Add in some black and white jewelry a big black bag big enough to carry the laptop and ballet flats and you are good to go. With a little black cardigan it would make a great airplane look – chic yet comfortable.
There will be five more looks in part two. Just in case you haven’t had enough black and white!
Related articles
- Living in Black and White (astimegoesbuy.me)
- It’s as Simple as Black & White (astimegoesbuy.wordpress.com)
- A whiter shade of pale (twentysecond8.wordpress.com)
April 27th, 2012 at 08:38
black and white seldom fail
April 27th, 2012 at 08:41
Agreed!
I think they are the easiest of the classics to work with.
And I have so much of it! We like it easy!
Cheers,
Laura
April 27th, 2012 at 22:51
Black and white is timelessly classic and I love all of these looks! Also, all those shoes are fantastic – I want them all
Enjoy your weekend.
April 27th, 2012 at 23:24
Thanks Megan!
I do love black and white.
You are welcome to borrow the shoes anytime you want!
But you’d have to come by to pick them up11
Thanks for your comment and stopping by!
Cheers,
Laura
April 27th, 2012 at 22:58
i am having shoe envy from photo 4… or should i say boot envy.
April 27th, 2012 at 23:26
May I suggest you have a look at Sheplers.com
They are an American site that ships to Australia and the prices are very reasonable!
Got these about two years ago, including shipping about $160.
Cheers,
Laura
April 28th, 2012 at 11:31
I also love black and white. Really like the second and last outfits!
April 28th, 2012 at 12:15
Thanks Sheila!
I like those too.
One clean and classic and the other just fun to wear with the a lettle edgy feel.
Cheers,
Laura
April 28th, 2012 at 13:37
Love them all but especially the zigzag skirt… LOVE IT.
April 28th, 2012 at 14:00
It’s quickly becoming a favourite of mine too!
Loving the pattern, the way it fits and the cut out of the shoulders.
Plus it was CHEAP! Which is always a bonus!!
Cheers,
Laura
April 29th, 2012 at 10:14
I love the last outfit! Sooo cute!
April 29th, 2012 at 12:04
Thanks Mandy!
It is sooo much fun to wear!
You can’t help but have a smile when you put those leggings on.
Cheers,
Laura
April 30th, 2012 at 00:42
[...] Paint it Black and A Whiter Shade of Pale (astimegoesbuy.me) [...]
May 1st, 2012 at 18:16
Thank you for the like! I really like your ideas. I think the outfits are amazing, especially the first and second one. And I wish I had your shoes from the first picture
May 1st, 2012 at 18:51
Thank you!
The shoes in the first pic are Diana Ferrari…bought at the discount outlet (DFO) two years ago but I find that Diana Ferrari does a lot of great vintage looking shoes.
I am a bit obsessed with shoes…well, everything fashion really!
May 3rd, 2012 at 00:38
[...] Paint it Black and A Whiter Shade of Pale (astimegoesbuy.me) [...]
May 25th, 2012 at 00:17
[...] Black and White Plaid – If you don’t remember this skirt, we covered it in the Black and White series. Even though it is subtle, I wanted this look to be a mix of prints. I have used the black [...]
June 13th, 2012 at 00:07
[...] Paint it Black and A Whiter Shade of Pale (astimegoesbuy.me) Share this:Share on Tumblr Pin ItEmailDiggLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post. [...]