Black and white are undeniably one of the world’s most popular colour combinations. Sometimes, however, creating the perfect balance between dark and light can be difficult. Below we list our favourite celebrity black and white looks and share our top tips for how to combine black and white beautifully.

1. Reece Witherspoon 2011 Oscars

No one does Oscars glam quite like Reece Witherspoon and her 2011 Armani dress is a fantastic example of black and white chic. The strapless black dress was form-fitting with a subtle train and had a white silk band, adding the right amount of contrast and interest to the dress. The actress teamed the monochrome dress with jade green earrings, offering the perfect pop of colour to the look.

2. Kate Middleton 2013 Southampton Docks

At a cruise-ship naming ceremony in Southampton Docks, a heavily pregnant Kate Middleton stunned in a beautiful black and white animal print coat. The coat was from the retailer Hobbs, making the high street designer one of the top fashion designers to follow in 2013. The white coat had a black print that was bold and made a statement, without being too overwhelming or busy.

3. Angelina Jolie 2014 Baftas

Saint Laurent has long been one of the top fashion designers, but the fashion house truly solidified their name in modern fashion history at the 2013 Baftas after creating a slim fitting black and white tuxedo for Angelia Jolie. With the white shirt popping from underneath her black suit, Jolie was able to truly pull off the look due to its excellent tailoring and her movie star confidence.

4. Lupita Nyong’o 2014 Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic

At the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, Lupita Nyong’o truly stole the show in a stunning black and white print dress from Alexander McQueen. The star finished off the look with a cute black summer hat, designed by Janessa Leone. To truly make the beauty of the dress shine, Nyong’o paired the dress with a glossy lip and bold blue eye shadow.

5. Charlize Theron 2015 Met Gala

It wouldn’t be a top fashion list without a Met Gala dress. Theron is arguably one of the best-dressed celebrities of all time, but her 2015 Met Gala dress particularly stands out due to its clever black panelling which added shape to her gown and elongated her body. The Christian Dior dress was accessorised with a black blazer draped over her shoulders, to create the perfect effortless monochrome look.

Our top tips for creating black and white combinations

1. Add a colourful accessory

Just like Witherspoon’s earrings and the blue eyeshadow worn by Nyong’o, adding an accessory with a pop of colour can help take a black and white look from dull to dazzling. Try not to go overboard with colour, however; remember black and white is the focus of your look.

2. It’s all about the fit

The reason Jolie and Middleton looked so stylish in their black and white ensembles is the fit. When wearing black and white clothing, it is essential the clothes perfectly fit your body. Black trousers, white shirts and coats that are perfectly tailored can create the impression you live a luxurious lifestyle. Oversized baggy black clothing, on the other hand, can make you look overly casual and unsophisticated.

3. Take care of your clothing

It may seem like common sense, but it is essential you take proper care of your black and white clothing to ensure you can create stunning looks time and time again. For example, white clothing can easily lose their crisp, clean look if they are not washed or stored correctly. Similarly, even designer black pieces can fade to a dull grey colour if they are not properly cared for.

4. Mix fabrics

One of the great things about wearing a black and white outfit is that it is easy to add new textures and fabrics to your look, providing they are in the same shade of black or white. For example, you may wish to add a black leather belt to white denim trousers or add a statement white rope necklace to a black chiffon top.

5. Show of your legs

Many people are tempted to reach for black tights when wearing a black shirt or dress. However, black tights can often make a black skirt look boxy and the black elements of the outfit can begin to look too dominant. Instead, opt for bare legs and wear boots if the weather is inclement. Remember, always moisturise your legs if they will be on display to avoid having dry, flaky skin distracting from your outfit!

How will you be rocking the monochrome look? Let us know in the comments below!

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