All Black and All White Outfit: Tone-on-Tone for Everyday

An all black or all white outfit works every day when you mix materials, add one clear accent and choose your shoes on purpose. The color stays the same, the surfaces provide the variety.

An outfit in head-to-toe black or head-to-toe white is quickly put together. It only looks right once the eye finds something to discover. Here you will read how knit, jersey, lace and muslin work together, which accents and shoes help, how to build layers and which four outfits you can recreate with pieces from the shop.

All black, all white, tone-on-tone: what does it mean?

In an all black outfit you wear black from top to bottom, in an all white outfit white. All white also includes cream and light natural shades, as long as the transition is intended. How to mix several color families tone-on-tone is explained in the guide Monochrome outfit. This guide is about the two extremes for everyday wear.

The same rule applies to both looks: if the color provides no contrast, it has to come from the material, the accent and the shoes.

Mixing materials: how do you keep a single-color outfit lively?

Use at least two, ideally three different surfaces in the outfit. This creates shadows and transitions even though the color stays the same. On black, fine differences are less noticeable, so clear contrasts are worth it there.

• Knit and flowing fabric. A soft fine knit next to pants in jersey gives you two movements in one shade.
• Lace and firm fabric. Lace is open and light. A skirt with a smooth surface is the counterpart to lace.
• Smooth and textured. A smooth faux leather shaft next to a ribbed knit or muslin shows how different two black pieces can be.
• Chunky and fine. A chunky cardigan over a fine top makes the layers visible.

You will find a selection of pieces in this shade in black clothing. Which colors you can add to black is explained in the guide What color goes with black.

Which accents go with all black and all white?

A single-color outfit can take exactly one accent. More takes away the calm that makes it work.

• Jewelry. Gold gives black warmth, silver keeps it cool. Both go with white, fine chains are enough.
• Bag. A bag in cognac, burgundy or cream sets a point without interrupting the outfit.
• Scarf or wrap. A scarf in the opposite color brings contrast and is quickly swapped.
• Belt. It divides a long piece into two halves and gives the look a center.

A middle path are pieces that carry both colors. The striped chunky knit cardigan in black/white joins both shades in one jacket. With a black outfit it is the white accent, with a white outfit the black one.

Which shoes go with a single-color outfit?

With all black. Black boots finish the look. The faux leather boots with a zip have a chunky platform sole and set a strong point at the bottom. You will find more styles in black boots. Black tights extend the line down to the shoe.

With all white. Light shoes keep the look light from top to bottom. White sneakers, ballet flats or sandals in cream and beige are the quiet options. A black shoe is the bold option: it serves as an anchor and gives the light outfit some weight at the bottom.

Layers: how do you build a single-color outfit in layers?

Layers are the easiest way to create depth. Each layer can be made of a different fabric.

In black. A muslin long-sleeve top as the base, with a cardigan or a jacket with texture on top. The black Flower Jacket has a floral pattern in jacquard. The light cardigan in black is the finer option.

In white. A muslin blouse worn open over a top gives you two white layers with different textures. Make sure both are the same shade of white. Pure white next to cream stands out. That works as a deliberate style choice if the gap is clear. You can read more in the guide What color goes with white.

Two all black outfits for everyday

Outfit 1: knit and jersey. The black Basic Pullover in soft, melange fine knit with a V-neck meets the black jersey pants with a drawstring at the waist. Add the boots with a zip. The knit sits soft, the jersey flows, the boots give a firm finish.

What else you can wear with black pants is shown in the guide How to style black pants.

Outfit 2: lace and cargo. You wear a black lace top in fine, sheer lace over a black top. Add the black cargo skirt with side pockets in a viscose blend, and the boots again at the bottom. The lace is open, the skirt is plain and made for everyday.

Two all white outfits for everyday

Outfit 3: white on white with cream. The white top with a wavy U-neckline in ribbed knit is the base. Over it lies the white muslin blouse in cotton, worn open, both in a similar shade of white. The maxi skirt with texture in cream adds a deliberately warmer step at the bottom. How else to wear a white blouse is explained in the guide How to style a white blouse.

Outfit 4: cream from top to bottom. The cream lace pants have a fine crochet look and a wide, flowing cut. The cream flounce top with tiered ruffles and lace details goes with them. Both come from the same shade, the differences come from texture alone. Light sandals or ballet flats keep the look light throughout. You will find more light pieces in white clothing.

Matching items in the shop: black tops and white tops.

Frequently asked questions

What is an all black outfit?

An all black outfit is made entirely of black pieces, from the top to the pants or skirt and the shoes. To stop it looking flat, you mix materials such as knit, lace and jersey.

How do I stop a single-color outfit from looking boring?

With different surfaces, a single accent and layers. Two to three materials in the same shade are often enough.

Can I mix white and cream in an all white outfit?

Yes, if the difference is clear. Alternatively you wear the same shade throughout, either pure white or off-white.

Which jewelry goes with all black and all white?

Gold and silver go with both. Gold gives black warmth, silver keeps it cool. With white, fine chains or small earrings are enough.

Which shoes go with a completely white outfit?

Light shoes in white, cream or beige keep the look light. Black shoes set a deliberate contrast and give the outfit weight.