Monochrome is probably one of the most enduring looks when it comes to styling an outfit. Always available, easy to style and timeless, curating a spring capsule wardrobe in monochromatic pieces will make getting dressed a breeze. However, as quite a stark colour contrast, and with black having the potential to be draining, this look can become severe, but it doesn't have to be.
Although there are different interpretations of monochrome, when it comes to fashion, monochromatic looks focus on outfits involving black and white, rather than a singular mono colour look. This can be done in block coloured pieces, eg, a white t-shirt and black trousers, or it can be centred around a print, such as black and white stripes, or monochromatic florals.
Understated, almost 'quiet luxury', black and white outfits are a speedy way to looking simple, stylish, but expensive, even if you've only got a high street budget. As both of the colours are neutral, they're also easy to style with bolder accessories if you want to add a splash or brightness; they also team effortlessly with one another and don't date. Your main focus in a monochrome outfit should remain on picking shapes that really suit your style and body type, and, where possible, opt for good quality fabrics.
How to wear monochrome without looking severe
If you want to embrace a minimalistic way of dressing, leaning into the neutral, easy-to-style properties of black and white outfits is an excellent choice. But if you want to wear monochrome outfits without looking severe, there are a few easy rules to follow.
1. Add lightness near your face
On any complexion, wearing solid black close to the face can feel draining - so always opt for lighter colours around here. That doesn't mean that you can't wear, say, a black roll neck, but if you do, try adding a big statement necklace in a colour over the top, or tie a white or brighter scarf around your neck. This throws light back to your face, ensuring that you'll still have plenty of brightness in your complexion.
Equally, you could go for an all black look with just a hint of white, such as a statement white colour peeking out from underneath a black sweater and trouser combination. The lighter hue close to your face pulls the focus upwards and adds much-needed brightness. It's so simple, but highly effective.
While a black roll neck can be draining. Adding a bright necklace or scarf will add lightness back to your face, without compromising on feeling cosy.
If you want to stick to the black and white theme, there are plenty of silky scarves that can help you do that, or go wild and add a splash of colour.
If a scarf isn't for you, utilise jewellery instead. This hammered effect necklace taps nicely into the jewellery trends for 2026, but it equally won't date.
2. Layer textures
Using various textures and tones, yes, even in an all black look, will help to lift your outfit and make it appear playful and thought through, as oppose to severe. This can be anything from a black print on a black base, to adding sheer black pieces to an otherwise opaque black outfit.
Getting creative with texture as oppose to tone works because the light will hit the different fabrics in your look different and add enough depth and interest to ensure your look feels purposeful, as opposed to forgettable.
Sheer fabrics are a big spring/summer fashion trend for 2026, but that doesn't mean baring it all. Offer your wardrobe a speedy update with chic semi-sheer sleeves.
The festive season might be over, but shimmer and embellishment is set to be another look the high street will embrace over the coming months and a subtle shirt like this can work from AM to PM.
Leather trousers are surprisingly versatile. Treat them like the capsule wardrobe building blocks they are, teaming them with everything from knitwear and tailoring to party-ready tops. Smart and breathable, they're surprisingly cool and comfortable.
3. Consider cuts and shapes
Removing bright colour from the equation, there is no where to hide, which means the cut of your garment is central to making a monochrome outfit successful. To look stylish, rather than severe, think about what shapes suit you best, and even if that means sharp tailoring, think about how well the silhouette works for your shape, and how you can soften the look overall.
That might mean taking a well-tailored blazer and layering it over a softer, more fluid draped top, or a lace trimmed camisole, so that your overall look feels less or a 'uniform' and more styled.
And while cut is really important in making your monochrome look sing, the earlier points of adding a splash of colour and texture still stand as a way of making your black and white look chic rather than severe.
A trophy jacket is a wardrobe hero and this boucle-inspired design delivers a high-end, Chanel-inspired look for a fraction of the price. The metallic, white and black weave will ensure that you break up the draining black base hue for a joyful wear.
Straight leg jeans are the foundation denim to any wardrobe. Never out of fashion, universally flattering and perfectly polished, a good pair of black jeans can be dressed up or down for various occasions and M&S denim is right up there this season.
Pull out those metallic threads from the jacket (not literally, of course), by opting for a silver shoe to help highlight the sparkle through your outfit. Again, despite the metallic finish, these sweet buckled pumps can be easily worn for smart or casual looks.
4. Accessorise
Do not forget the importance of accessorising your monochromatic outfit. This is perhaps the easiest and speediest way to stop an outfit from looking severe. Whether you choose to lean into the jewellery trends of 2026 with statement gold or silver jewellery, or want to add a little fun with colourful costume styles, adding accessories to your monochrome outfit will not only add lightness but also make everything more considered.
Earrings and necklaces are ideal when your outfit has the black part of your outfit up close to your face, as these will help to catch the light and add brightness back to your complexion and stop the black draining your appearance. However, you can also use bold cuffs over a jacket or jumper, or on a bare arm to add interest to your look.
As with the above, a colourful or white scarf, if you're being rigid to the black and white look, will also help to lighten the area around your face and make your outfit more flattering.
Alternatively, remove the severity of a monochrome outfit by adding a splash of colour. This can be done with a bold shoe or a contrasting handbag (if you have an all-black outfit, try just a white handbag for a statement finish). For those unsure about wearing maximalist hues, this is often the easiest way to explore brighter shades, and it can be incredibly effective in adding personality to a look.
It's not only a necklace that will help draw the eye up and brighten your complexion. A pair of statement, oversized earrings will work wonders in catching the light and elevating your look. This hammered style has been around for several seasons, but still feels elegant and fresh.
If you're keeping things black and white, contrast an all-black outfit with a white handbag. This crescent silhouette remains a key spring/summer handbag trend for 2026 as it's both practical and spacious. The sleek shoulder strap makes it easy to carry, too.
Colourful trainers remain a key trainer trend for 2026, and fashion's love of dopamine-inducing footwear shows no sign of slowing down. These FitFlop trainers put comfort at the forefront, but they also ensure your stride gets a confidence boost from the tomato red hue.
Set to be a big trend for the current season, while monochrome never really falls out of fashion, it was a look heavily featured on the runways, including at mainstay fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Michael Kors, which means we can expect the high street to really champion this look in the coming months.
While black may be seen as the eternal fashion colour, it can get a bit of a bad rep as a severe and draining shade, but that doesn't have to be the case. Well-styled, black, and black and white outfits can be extremely elegant, and the joy of only working in a monochrome colour palette is that you know you have a capsule wardrobe that should easily come together.
The key here is to really hone in on the details, as that's what we have once bolder colours are removed. That means thinking about the cut, the hemlines and how well those items fit, as well as how the fabric fits and falls, as it is these aspects that will make your outfit feel stylish and well-thought out, without using colour as a crutch or distraction.
And don't forget the power of accessorising. It really does have the power to take a look from severe to sleek, and choosing your accessories based on the outfit and the situation is how to pull it all together. For smart office-ready looks, look to affordable jewellery brands and lean into statement silver and gold pieces for a strong, rather than severe finish. Whereas more weekend or evening looks can probably take some bolder colours and shapes, such as fun cocktail rings or costume pieces, to lighten your look and add personality.
When it comes to dressing monochromatically, the severity largely comes from black draining the colour from your complexion, so investing in these tips and style ideas will help you avoid falling into this trap, while ultimately keeping your wardrobe easy to style.
