How to wear black in summer

Bright hues and soft neutrals are usually the colors that go well with summer, but don’t forget about classic black. While black is usually a temperamental color for fall and winter looks, it still has a place in the summer when you want a stylish look. A winner as an understated, versatile hue, black can still set the stage for many of your summer looks, but it only requires a little bit of consideration when it comes to fabrics, styles and silhouettes. Here are some of my tips for wearing black in the summer.

Choose natural fabrics
As stylish as it may be, there’s no getting around the fact that black does attract heat. Therefore, if you’re going to be wearing it in warmer temperatures, you need to stick to breathable fabrics to avoid overheating! Consider cotton, linen and silk fabrics – not only are they breathable, but they’re a lightweight fabric that’s perfect for a day in the full Australian summer sun.

Go for colorful accessories
Head-to-toe black can seem a bit chunky in the summer, so adding some contrasting colors into the mix is usually a good idea. Whether it’s a handbag, sandals or a pop of color like sunglasses, you can use accessories to enhance the black in your outfit and add some visual interest while the black provides the perfect backdrop.

Pair it with other shades
Whether it’s a pretty dress or classic wide-legged pants, use black pieces as your personality feature and pair them with lighter or brighter colors. Inserting a bit of color relief works well to give you a more summery overall feel, but maintains the ultra-chic feel of darker shades.

Add traditional summer textures
Adding pieces like a raffia basket bag, a pair of hemp-soled shoes or a straw hat helps to lighten up the black look and give it a more summery vibe. You can still maintain the sleekness of an all-black ensemble, but adding some textural elements helps to offset the fact that all-black can look a bit chunky on summer visuals.