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Art of Style

How To Wear Black All Summer Long

Black is prized for its understated elegance and endless wearability, but it’s not always the most obvious choice when it comes to summer dressing. Here, discover how to maximize its year-round appeal with these easy styling tips

Words Colleen RossFashion editor Viktorija Tomasevic
Fashion

The summer months might set the tone for bright, joyful style, but, as the street-style set proves, fashion’s favorite shade isn’t just suited for the winter months or after-dark looks only. The enduring appeal of black comes from its ability to highlight the silhouette and craftsmanship of a singular design. The key to styling the inky hue is to pair contrasting textures and choose pieces with dynamic shapes, so that head-to-toe black looks elevated and considered.

When navigating warm-weather dressing in the city, a chic midi dress, like this one from Chloé, offers an effortlessly stylish solution – it’s cut from silk-satin with a pretty lace bodice and a figure-skimming silhouette. Wear it to a town hall wedding or soirée with kitten-heeled leather sandals and Liffner’s leather-trimmed raffia clutch – the compact size will easily hold your phone, keys and sunglasses.

  • TOTEME
    Garderob gathered crepe maxi dress
    £690.00
    Select a Size
    30
    32
    34
    36
    38
    40
    42
    44
  • THISTLES
    The Suede square-frame acetate sunglasses
    £255.00
  • CHLOÉ
    Lace-trimmed silk-satin midi dress
    £1,570.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36 - low stock
    38
    40
    42 - low stock
    44 - out of stock
  • LIFFNER
    Belted leather-trimmed raffia clutch
    £360.00
Undeniably chic and endlessly versatile, black has year-round appeal

If shorts are more your style, then make Khaite’s tailored Bermudas in wool and silk-blend cady your go-to for city breaks and dinner dates alike. Complete a polished weekend look with Matteau’s organic cotton-jersey tank, breaking up your palette with neutral accessories. Gianvito Rossi’s ‘Elle’ mules and Gucci’s ‘Jackie 1961’ bag both come in versatile biscuit suede you’ll reach for time and again.

  • MATTEAU
    Organic cotton-jersey tank
    £120.00
    Select a Size
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5 - low stock
  • GUCCI
    Jackie 1961 leather-trimmed suede shoulder bag
    £2,392.00
  • KHAITE
    Pleated wool and silk-blend cady shorts
    £1,130.00
    Select a Size
    0 - low stock
    2
    4
    6
    8 - low stock
    10 - low stock
    12
  • GIANVITO ROSSI
    Elle 85 suede pumps
    £535.00
    Select a Size
    35
    36 - low stock
    36.5 - out of stock
    37 - low stock
    37.5
    38
    38.5
    39
    39.5 - low stock
    40
    40.5 - low stock
    41 - low stock
    41.5
    42 - low stock

Heading on vacation? A midi skirt is always a sophisticated choice, and the elevated fringed detailing of Alaïa’s jersey style will make balmy nights by the sea feel even chicer. Try yours with a cropped bandeau top or Lisa Yang’s ‘Lynette’ tank, adding Sophie Buhai’s ‘Noodle’ earrings in gleaming gold vermeil and Manolo Blahnik’s metallic leather ‘Ninfemu’ sandals for dressier events.

  • LISA YANG
    Lynette ribbed-knit cashmere tank
    £205.00
    Select a Size
    0 - low stock
    1
    2 - low stock
  • SOPHIE BUHAI
    Noodle gold-toned sterling silver earrings
    £485.00
  • ALAÏA
    Ribbed fringed jersey midi skirt
    £2,780.00
    Select a Size
    34 - low stock
    36 - low stock
    38 - low stock
    40 - out of stock
    42 - out of stock
    44 - out of stock
  • MANOLO BLAHNIK
    Ninfemu 50 leather sandals
    £490.00
    Select a Size
    36
    36.5 - out of stock
    37 - low stock
    37.5
    38 - low stock
    38.5
    39 - out of stock
    39.5 - low stock
    40
    40.5 - out of stock
    41 - out of stock
    41.5 - out of stock
    42 - low stock

Finding an outfit polished enough for work yet cool enough to withstand the sweltering summer heat is no easy feat, but that’s where the beauty of black comes in. Something as simple as Calvin Klein Collection’s ‘Alicia’ tank paired with Loewe’s pleated straight-leg pants not only looks effortlessly put together but will conceal any sign of your hot, sticky commute. Just add Khaite’s buckled ‘Manhattan’ sandals and Dragon Diffusion’s woven leather ‘Botteghe’ tote and you’re good to go.

  • CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION
    Alicia cotton-blend jersey tank top
    £265.00
    Select a Size
    x small - low stock
    small - low stock
    medium
    large
  • DRAGON DIFFUSION
    B Weave Small woven leather tote
    £310.00
  • LOEWE
    Pleated wool mid-rise straight-leg pants
    £610.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
  • KHAITE
    Manhattan buckled leather sandals
    £825.00
    Select a Size
    35 - low stock
    36 - low stock
    37 - out of stock
    38
    39
    40
    41 - low stock
    42 - out of stock
  • STELLA MCCARTNEY
    Lace-trimmed satin camisole
    £495.00
    Select a Size
    34
    36
    38 - low stock
    40
    42 - low stock
    44 - out of stock
    46
    48
    50 - out of stock
  • THE ROW
    Agnes leather tote
    £3,520.00
  • LESET
    Barb satin midi skirt
    £165.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large
  • CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
    Fanny 85 leather mules
    £565.00
    Select a Size
    36
    36.5
    37 - low stock
    37.5
    38 - low stock
    38.5 - low stock
    39
    39.5
    40
    40.5
    41 - low stock
    41.5
    42

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