How to wear all black without looking boring

Karen Walker slanting frill top (similar and in white), Country Road pencil skirt, Acne Studios leather jacket, Isabel Marant heels, KW x Benah satchel (newer style & I also love this style), ASOS sunglasses, The Peach Box earrings (similar)

It should be pretty obvious by now that anything and everything in the colour black is a mainstay in my wardrobe. But, as with wearing anything over and over again, wearing all black all the time can quite quickly start to look a little stale and one-dimensional.

It’s become a little bit of a uniform of mine; partly due to years of working in hospitality as university student, and partly because, let’s be real, black goes with e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Over the years, I’ve picked up the odd trick to make all black look anything but boring, so today I thought I’d share my top five tips to keeping an all black wardrobe looking fresh.

TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE
It’s so easy to look flat while wearing all black, and one of the easiest ways to switch things up is to mix a few different textures into your look. In winter, tweed is a great option, but usually my go to is leather, ribbed knits, cotton and suede.

IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
An otherwise simple piece can really elevate your look but it has to be all about those details. A little ruffle with a bit of white for contrast, a subtle sequin strewn through a knit, a ponte side panel in a pair of leather leggings or a frayed hem on a structured jacket. When you wear the basics, it’s important to focus on those minor details that can really make your look.

PLAY WITH YOUR PROPORTIONS
I’m typically a loose on top and either loose or fitted on the bottom kind of girl, but I find that mixing up the proportions of your outfit can make it look a lot more interesting. Play around with different silhouettes – it can really make a difference!

MIX IT UP WITH YOUR ACCESSORIES
Personally, I think the only real accessory you need – aside from a great pair of shoes – is a bold red lip. When you’re wearing all black, it really stands out and adds a bit of elegance to your look, even if you’re just in jeans, a tee and a pair of sneakers.

While black definitely complements more black, I find that a coloured mini bag adds that sartorial pop of colour; your outfit can make for a relatively black canvas, and a cute blush or cobalt blue mini bag will really stand out. And if coloured bags and bold red lips aren’t your thing, a great pair of sunglasses – whether they be patterened, an interesting shape, or have metal details – are also a great option.

WHEN IN DOUBT, PUT A HEEL ON IT
I’d say that this last one is pretty self explanatory… But, when in doubt, throw on a pair of heels – it’ll make you feel like a million bucks and as far as I’m concerned, it’s a fail-safe solution to any (and I mean any) fashion conundrum.