BLACK AND WHITE

Every spring, I look forward to stepping out in pastel skirts, neutral peep-toe slingbacks, everything floral, gingham, and seersucker. It always feels so fresh to give my black wool military coat a break, don a light trench and reveal the perfect spring outfit underneath.
This spring is different. I want none of that. I don’t want to look like a budding crocus or pretty petal. This spring I crave black and white. It’s so crisp, so unexpected, so Parisienne. My perfect spring accessoire? My patent leather peep-toe spectator mary janes…oooh-la-la!
Not that I’m afraid of color. I imagine the spectators will look brilliant with red, novel with sunny yellow, saucy with hot pink, smart with orange. The wonderful thing about black and white is that you can pair it with any color and look dashing or just stick with the two, and no one will be able to argue how chic and polished you look.
This look also gives you the opportunity to experiment with your jewelry. Perhaps pile on the gold chains? Showcase the enormous ethnic beaded bracelet you got at a flea market. Put your hair up and artfully pin brooches in it. Have fun! Black and white is the perfect canvas to add on quirky little extras!

A few of my favorite B&W’s:
1. A herringbone fedora, which I like to wear with either my very colorful herringbone leather bag by Dooney & Burke, OR with black boot socks that have white stars printed on them.
2. A black ruffled baby doll dress printed with tiny white hearts with a lace under-lay, paired with a red and white polka-dot belt, and red patent leather heels, OR with tights, Marc Jacobs ‘mary jane’ boots, and a white fitted, belted short sleeve jacket.
3. A little black jersey dress with a princess-sleeved white trench coat, worn with pretty flats, or groovy Wellies.
4. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies from the ‘30s.

To play with this look, start with the basics: pants, button ups, tanks, cardies, a trench or fitted jacket, pencil skirt, sheath dress. White trousers look great with a vintage black rock n roll tee, while a black sheath dress a la Audrey Hepburn is classic Hollywood with a white belted trench coat.
Don’t forget about accessories! A black and white polka-dotted headband, pinstripe suspenders, Lucite jewelry, your handbag…the possibilities are endless!