There’s no such thing as a “new black” — this color, which has always been associated with class and elegance, will always be the king of the fashion world. Black is a versatile shade that won’t clash with anything, won’t mess with your skin tone, and won’t add pounds to your look. This makes black a top choice not only for formal wear but also for streetwear clothing, casual wear, and parties.
And when you’re running out of the mix and match ideas, going all-back is oftentimes the ever-reliable, go-to way. In fact, some guys who are avid fans of this dark tone have no other shade in their wardrobe but black.
But while it’s an easy, effective route to looking sexy and edgy, you still need to remember a few tricks to pull off the all-black aesthetic. There’s a difference between wearing black and looking like you’re a stylish high-profile celebrity and wearing black from head to toe and looking like a creepy cult leader.
If you want to rock the sleek and sophisticated all-black outfit, check out these 7 useful tips and tricks.
Black is a simple, no-nonsense shade. The tricky thing though is you can’t hide the quality of your clothing when you’re wearing all-black.
The monochromatic look allows the eye to draw attention to the smallest of details, like how well-made the knitwork is or how gorgeous the leather is. Textures, materials, craftsmanship — these details matter.
So if you have cheap, low-quality pieces, there’s a chance the all-black look will highlight them. Men’s shirts with a faded, grayish hue and ravelled thread can instantly tell you that they’re of substandard quality.
Wearing “all-black” doesn’t necessarily mean looking walking like a flat shadow. You can incorporate minimal patterns too to somehow brighten up the look without veering away from the edgy monochromatic aesthetic you’re going for. Go for men’s shirts and other pieces with stripes, small polka dots, and other subtle patterns in shades of white or gray.
Consider wearing an eye-catching statement piece. It can be a Fedora hat, a tie, a brooch, a choker, or a pair of retro glasses — anything that would inject some personality into your get-up and make you stand out from the crowd. If you have tattoos, show them off.
Just take a look at the featured image above. This guy’s just wearing a simple black tee but the way he wears his hat, tattoos, earrings, and glasses makes us want to know more about him.
If your clothing is composed of no other shade but black, spark visual interest using a variety of textures. Mix matte and glossy, smooth and rough, flat and embossed, shiny and velvety.
Level up your flat, classic crewneck shirt by wearing knitwear with interesting textures. Experiment on different fabrics and materials too.
Again, we’re talking about how injecting some visual interest here, and layering is the key. Top off that basic tee + jeans combo with a nice black jacket. Name it — bomber jacket, biker jacket, denim, Harrington, hooded, overcoat, trench coat, vest — we do not discriminate.
Just make sure you pick something with a little structure, with a soft, laidback silhouette, You don't want to look stiff and uptight. You want to look effortless and light.
Spruce up your look with a scarf, hat, and a pair of glasses, if that’s your thing. Accessorize with metallics for some subtle sheen, and finish it off with a stylish pair of shoes.
Attention to detail is key to pulling off an all-black outfit. You’d think there’s only one shade of black until you put different black pieces together at the same time. You’ll see some black clothes with bluish undertones, others with brownish ones. And yup, they often don't look good together.
You can’t tell the color and texture accurately by simply looking at the online store’s product images. The last thing you want to happen is ordering clothes online and receiving the wrong thing.
If possible, shop in person. Aside from getting the color and texture right, it also allows you to try it on before checking out.
Author Bio:: Carmina Natividad is a daytime writer for Rael Brook, a menswear retailer from Manchester UK, providing quality men’s shirts to trendy gents all over the world. When she’s not browsing Pinterest for fashion inspos, you can find her writing articles about fashion and lifestyle.
