The idea of what to wear with black and white pants came to me when Valerie commented that she wasn’t sure what to wear with her pair. Instantly, I wanted to say that “anything” goes with black and white, but I realized it’s better to show with examples.
Thus, I had the group showcase 4 different color combinations to style with our black and white pants.
Quote of the day: Successful people do what unsuccessful people are not willing to do.” Jeff Olson
I like to think black and white are neutrals that everyone is comfortable with, thus making them very versatile.
Adding different colors (and even different prints) can make these pants super handy in your closet.
Hopefully, you will keep an open mind and be willing to try all sorts of color combinations, because if it’s one thing we don’t want to be…it’s stagnant in our clothing choices.
Instead of defaulting to black or white as our top choices (this is safe, but a tad too predictable), we each styled our black and white pants in a completely different direction.
I would say that the results show just how much personality these pants can handle.
Need more direction with black and white? It’s been on the blog many times in the past, and it’s something that defies trends:
–Black and white in the summer
–Easy steps to add in a color with black and white
–Adding floral to black and white
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My mom styled a mustard top with her black and white leopard pants.
Mustard is one of those earthy tones that instantly softens the contrast of black and white. Instead of feeling stark, the outfit seems warm.
Stylist note: Charlotte’s asymmetrical, flowy top adds movement, which balances the busier print of her pants.
Details:
-My mom wore these same jeans when we talked about unexpected colors to wear with leopard. And the top was worn with cropped rust pants.
-I Love how the purse strap adds a totally different color.
Valerie took the opposite approach and paired her black and white pants with a soft pastel blue and lilac. She’s an overachiever like that, LOL.
This is proof that you don’t always need bold to make a statement.
Stylist note: Her tee is gently fitted with a small detail at the waist, which gives shape without feeling restrictive. It’s an easy way to ruche in a boxy shirt (details in the Details section)
Details:
-The ruching of her top is done with a bangle bracelet and a hair elastic. I’ve shown it in a video if you need a reminder on how to do it.
-Valerie loves throwing a scarf over one shoulder and attaching it with a pin or brooch. It almost looks like it’s part of the vest.
–The sunglasses are super cool. You can change the color of the lenses with the push of a button.
You knew I couldn’t resist this one.
Instead of avoiding patterns, I leaned right in and mixed my black and white pants with a printed top.
And here’s the secret: think like a kid again, and be open to new possibilities. Sure, it may be different than what you are used to styling, but it can also be a window of new opportunities.
Stylist note: A lightweight blouse with detail (like embroidery or trim) adds dimension with the pants.
Details:
-I used the same trick as Valerie to ruche in my top, only the opposite way. For me, the “button” looking part is on the inside, and all you see is the pulled-in portion. Plus, I did it on 2 sides under the girls. It acts like 2 darts to pull in the boxy top.
-This necklace actually has a red strand also, but I pulled that to the back and hid it under my top. (See this video) for what I mean.
-There’s really no turquoise in the top, but I used it as an accent color with my shoes and accessories.
Lesley went all in with a gorgeous bright blue and then mixed prints with her footwear and purse.
If you’ve been nervous about color, let this be your sign to start styling it in all kinds of outfits.
Stylist note: Her relaxed, slightly oversized top creates a modern silhouette and keeps the look effortless.
Notice she tied the ties on one side only, creating an asymmetrical look similar to Charlotte’s.
Details:
-Lesley styled embroidered pieces with her purse and shoes, which complement the polka dot pants perfectly.
-She also layered 2 black and metallic necklaces for a wonderful necklace layering example.
It’s not just what color you choose, it’s also about the shape of your top.
From our outfits, you can see how different silhouettes change the entire vibe:
Stylist tip: If your pants are bold, your top shape can either balance it…or lean into it. There’s no wrong answer, just different moods.
Another thing we love?
Black and white pants are not one-size-fits-all. Or as I like to say, they aren’t all created equal. That means, just because you try a pair on and they don’t do it for you, another option could be a winner.
BTW, the first link in the widget below is for ThredUp where you can find many preloved black and white pants.
Look closely, and you’ll see we’re all wearing different variations:
And that’s just the patterns, don’t forget about fit:
Each one changes how your outfit feels, even before you pick a top.
And FYI, I cuffed my pants to make them look ankle-length.
If you take one thing away from this, let it be this:
When deciding what to wear with black and white pants, you don’t need rules. Instead, you might be pleasantly surprised if you experiment with what you have in your closet.
Think about the different energy the colors give, like:
Black and white pants are the canvas.
You get to decide the mood and vibe.
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Jodie Filogomo is a retired cosmetic dentist and fashion blogger behind Jodie’s Touch of Style, where she has been helping women over 50 experiment with style in fun, creative ways for over 12 years.
Find out more about the crew, because we love to showcase all ages, body shapes, and women who love different styles.
The post Secrets of What to Wear with Black and White Pants appeared first on Jodie’s Touch of Style.
