It probably comes as no surprise that 99% of my closet is neutral colors. Even the prints that I do have are usually mixes of neutral shades. What can I say, I’ve always been drawn to classic colors like black, cream, nude, white and gray, and find that it helps when curating chic outfits to have a lot of neutral. Even in the summertime, I don’t stray too far from neutrals (though I have been loving this color and some neon this summer). If you like to wear black as much as I do, here are my tips for making it summer appropriate.
Shop My Look
Show skin
You guys know I dress pretty conservative but I do believe in peeks of skin to make black feel less heavy in summer. A go-to look of mine is a cropped black t-shirt with high-waisted jeans or a midi skirt. I’m also liking black bodysuits and sheer black tops at the moment. Or a cut-out dress like the one I’m wearing here (which I’m super into by the way!) or a shorter hem. All of these options feel like summer but are still in my comfort zone, and can be in yours, too.
Downplay other details
Black can feel very dressy quickly but summer is all about being effortless. To make the shade not feel fussy, I’ll go minimal when it comes to my hair and makeup when wearing black. I love a sleek low bun which makes something like a black dress feel dressed down. Plus, the wet look makes it even more summery. I’ll usually skip curled hair or anything too perfect unless it’s an event or a place where I’m trying to look dressed up. Or I’ll wear something like denim like I did here to downplay the vibe. It’s the casual way to do black.
Add pops of summer elements
This can be done through a straw or clear clutch, colorful sandals, strappy heels, or any accessory that feels like summer. While most of my closet is neutral, and a lot of it is black, accessories are where I’ll add in seasonal elements that make different black items versatile. With this outfit I chose strappy colored Jimmy Choos to brighten things up.
Consider material
Another potential problem with black in the summer? The temperature! To keep from getting too hot in black (especially in Panama and LA), it’s all about the right texture. Choose breathable materials like cotton, linen, or silk to stay cool. This is another reason I like cut-out items.
More Black Items for Summertime
Do you wear black in the summer?
