Some of my clients like to wear very dark outfits in warm weather, which is why the Eileen Fisher looks caught my eye. The point is to create a dark column of colour from top to toe that is fitted on the bottom and loosely drapey on top. If wearing a black top and bottom is not your thing, substitute the top with ink blue or charcoal.
The fabric of the tops and the style of the footwear will determine whether the outfit is smart casual or casual. Silkier fabrics, crisp jackets, and dressier shoes will amp up the dressy factor.
Here are the components:
Bottoms: Think black leggings, jeggings or Ponte knit skinnies. Leather leggings or leggings with leather inserts will work too. Keep them full length or cropped. Of course, a black pair of skinnies will work if that’s all you have to play with, but they will create a bulkier look under the tunic.
Tops: Choose soft flowing tunics in knits or wovens with asymmetrical hemlines. The asymmetrical hemlines are important because they add interest to the combination, thereby creating outfit depth. Black on black can look extremely flat if you don’t choose the pairing carefully. Choose black, charcoal or ink blue. I’ve stuck to solids, but by all means wear a tonal black pattern if that’s more your cup of tea.
Toppers: The topper is optional, but if you’d like to add a third layer, think black or charcoal moto, boyfriend cardigan, long vest, blazer, tuxedo jacket, boxy black jacket, cape, wrap or poncho. Keep the jackets open so that you don’t loose the dramatic drapey lines of the outfit.
Footwear: I’ve chosen five pairs of on-trend footwear styles that can be worn with all three renditions. Slides, peep-toe booties, pointy toe ankle strap flats, slip-on sneakers, and cut-out booties. But pumps, d’Orsay flats and heels, loafers, oxfords, ballet flats, espadrilles, chunky sandals, flatforms, platforms, gladiators, cage heels, clogs and mules will also work.
It’s nice to break up the black by wearing non-black footwear if you’re wearing black bottoms, top and topper. A little white strap or sole, white shoes, cobalt shoes or metallic options are fab.
Accessories: Choose a non-black bag to break up the darkness of the outfit. White, tan, cognac or grey work well. Or opt for a pastel or bright bag. Finish off the look with a scarf, eyewear, watch and jewellery as desired.
I will be popping a pair of cropped black leggings under my ink blue silk flag dress as a nod to this outfit formula as soon as the weather warms up. I will finish off the outfit with black and white pointy toe ballet flats and a white bag to break up the darkness of the palette.
