Fashion

Make Black Your New Black This Summer

by Mary Avant

I like to think that I’m a pretty multifaceted person, but if there’s one thing nearly everyone who knows me is aware of, it’s that I freakin' love the color black. No matter what the occasion, no matter what the season, no matter what the weather, there’s a good chance I’ll be showing up for a day at work, drinks with the girls, and each and every date night wearing at least a little black (and no, my don’t-leave-home-without-it black cat eye doesn’t count). But love it though I do, even I struggle from time to time on how to work the moody, edgy, and sleek hue into my everyday wardrobe when the weather heats up.

Which is exactly why I’m always so thankful for my favorite and most well-dressed celebrities, who never fail to show me just how to pull off black the chic (read: not boring or out of season) way come the summer months. I mean, in the last week alone, I’ve seen a handful of stars — from the ever-impeccable Cate Blanchett to the baby-bumping Mila Kunis — shamelessly and flawlessly incorporating the hue in ways that look fresh, on-trend, and definitely on-season. Want to go black like the stars? Just follow one (or all five) of these simple steps.

1. Wear a slinky, satiny fabric for a lightweight effect

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Rule No. 1 of fashion: A little black dress will never go out of style. But that doesn't mean the same version always works year-round. Give your LBD a summertime makeover by opting for a version in a silk or satin fabric that melts over your curves, like this impossibly sexy strapless number mom-to-be Kunis wore to a recent film premiere. Make it even more seasonal with a bright, color-packed lip; a head full of beachy waves; and a printed heel to make the outfit pop.

2. Use it as an accent on a skin-baring ensemble

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When the heat is up, there's no better excuse to show off a little — or a lot of — skin, like Maria Sharapova did in this uber-revealing (but somehow still classy) Jay Ahr mini dress at the 2014 French Open. Steal a style tip from the tennis star by using black to anchor a skin-bearing ensemble and give it an extra boost of sophistication.

3. Add in some pattern for an instantly seasonal touch

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Take away the stunning, colorful, and floral-embellished bodice on this Chanel dress, and Blanchett's ensemble would have been a bit of a snooze for summer. But with just the smallest injection of print and color, a black dress or skirt-and-top combo can take on a whole new, seasonal air, even when paired with a basic black pump and nude lip.

4. Pair it with a classic white tank

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It doesn't get more basic than black and white, but the color combo can still work wonders come summer when you mix a gorgeous maxi, midi, or even a mini skirt with a simple, figure-flaunting white top. Sure, you don't have to go full-on glam like actress Beth Behrs in her Carolina Herrera number, but you can spice up the traditional look with a major statement necklace or even a white pump for a super-chic look.

5. Mix it with a bright hue for a bold look

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When black and white just doesn't satisfy your summertime craving for bold colors and bright patterns, don't be afraid to mix your basic black with an in-your-face seasonal hue, like neon pink or the sunshine yellow seen on Demi Lovato's Fausto Puglisi dress. Just remember: The brighter, the better come summer.