There’s a lot to be said for adopting only one colour in your outfits, especially when that colour is black. It might be the uniform of goths, nightclub bouncers and anyone attending a funeral, but the all-black look is also one of undeniable sophistication and modernity. Just ask designer Hedi Slimane, who has practically created an entire and much-lauded career around monochrome collections.
Done properly, an all-black outfit says power, class and sophistication. It doesn’t pretend to be loud, but it gets noticed even amid a crowd of colour and pattern. All-black also doesn’t stand on ceremony – of course, it can look immaculately smart. Still, it can also be applied to casual dressing, giving laid-back looks something of a discerning, knowing attitude.
Below we’ve curated 15 ways to pull off the look. But before you scroll down, make sure to understand just exactly how to assemble this slick contemporary aesthetic.
All-Black Everything: General Guidelines
Mix Up Textures
Texture is important no matter what you’re wearing, but it’s vital when you don’t have the option of colours and patterns to add dimension to your fits. Black absorbs light, so to inject your look with some contrast and energy, you need to mix up the fabrics.
This can be as subtle or as bold as you like. Even the smallest juxtaposition will make a big difference, such as pairing a black slubby linen shirt with cotton shorts and black leather sandals – three different and unique fabrics which give the eye a reason to wander.
While natural fibres like wool, linen, cotton, leather and suede all have fantastic textural qualities, so too do man-made technical fabrics. Black nylons and polyesters can be diverse in their finishes and give your looks a contemporary edge.
Experiment With Silhouette
Shape and silhouette are great levers to pull and play with when constructing an all-black look. You’ve already ensured textural divergence in your all-black wardrobe – now you can experiment with different garment shapes to create interesting silhouettes.
That could mean an oversized black blazer or tee, perhaps some wide-leg trousers, or a Cuban collar short-sleeve shirt paired with baggy black shorts and high-tops.
Something as subtle as a black tee with three-quarter sleeves can elevate a simple casual look. Or maybe you prefer slim black tailoring? In which case, you can drape a much more voluminous black wool overcoat over your shoulders or go the other way with a short, cropped leather blouson. Hedi Slimane’s recent collections for Celine are a great mood board if you need inspiration.
Style-Bending
This is one that many guys struggle with, and that’s understandable. Style-bending means incorporating certain aspects from different menswear genres – and it can be extremely effective when wearing all black. It keeps people guessing and marks you out as someone with a unique individuality and creativity.
A great example of this is the modern preppy aesthetic, which takes classic preppy garments such as chinos, OBDs, and rugby shirts and pairs them with streetwear shapes, contemporary sneakers and even smart tailoring.
Take a smart black suit and pair it with a cropped black suede trucker jacket rather than a classic overcoat, for example, or marry a casual black tee and shorts with a pair of shiny black loafers. Maybe it’s a black hoodie beneath a smart black trench coat. Blur the lines and be playful with it.
15 Slick All-Black Outfit Example For Men
Black Roll Neck with a Field Jacket and Tailored Trousers
Vince
This look perfectly demonstrates the three tenets of dressing in all-black above. The combination of textures is spot on, from the ribbed wool roll neck to the soft nap of the flannel trousers and the smooth cotton finish of the field coat.
The silhouette, while smart, is given a contemporary feel thanks to the crop in the trousers, all the while combining elements of smart menswear with the utility-oriented field coat. Top marks.
Black Field Jacket with Wide-Leg Trousers
Todd Snyder
When we talk about playing with shape and silhouette, this is exactly what we mean. Subtle discrepancies in the textures give this look the depth it needs. Still, the impact comes from the shape of the trousers and the slightly oversized nature of the jacket, which is given added emphasis layered against the fittest crew neck sweater.
The black leather sandals are subtle but add a slick casual attitude to the outfit.
Black Long-Sleeved T-shirt with Casual Shorts
Todd Snyder
When you want to wear sports casual but don’t want to look sports casual… do it in all black! Super laid-back, yes, but the all-black attitude gives the look more of a defined edge.
The long-sleeved tee has a ribbed detail for a subtle element of pattern, while the shorts also have a subtle finish.
The choice of black suede pumps is a good one, underlining the tactile nature of the look.
Plain Black T-shirt with Tailored Pleated Trousers
Suitsupply
This is a wonderful example of how style-bending can create a look much smarter than the sum of its parts. It all hinges on the slightly tapered pleated trousers, which instantly create a modern silhouette that’s accentuated by the slim fit of the tee.
If you were in any doubt about the resourcefulness of a plain black cotton tee, you can put that to bed now. What’s great about this pairing is that they can be given casual status with black sneakers, as is the case here, or the look could equally go with black loafers to smarten it up.
Black Textured Polo with Tapered Pleated Trousers
Reiss
This outfit has everything you need for an elevated look that can seamlessly switch between daywear and eveningwear. The smart pleated trousers underscore the sartorial side of things, with the slight crop ensuring a modern silhouette.
The polo brings the texture in spades. You could wear this to the office just as easily as you could wear it to a smart dinner on vacation.
Black Denim Jacket and Jeans
Abercrombie & Fitch
Black denim is a great option for all-black looks because it has texture and tonality. Plus, the colour will change and distress over time.
This look opts for a slightly washed-out tone in the blouson and jeans but punctuates the outfit with jet-black leather shoes and a crew neck jumper, which help to create a nice contrast.
Black Short-Sleeved T-shirt with Cargo Pants
Mango
Cargo pants have always been regarded as off-duty utility trousers, but when integrated into an all-black outfit they can definitely hold their own as a more elevated option.
This look is perfect as a polished yet casual weekend fit or as a holiday look for the evening. The addition of the leather sandals gives it a luxury edge while still being comfortable and easy to wear.
Knitted Short-Sleeve Shirt and Matching Shorts
Reiss
Short sets have been on fire in recent seasons, especially among resortwear collections where they amp up the style credibility for pool lounging and hotel sleuthing.
Bold colour sets are not everyone’s cup of tea, but an all-black version like this one is a much more understated approach that oozes sophistication.
The knitted element is so textural and tactile, making this a standout look.
Buffalo Check Jacket with Black Tapered Trousers
Reiss
Monochrome perfection right here. What we love about this fit is that without the jacket, it’s pure simplicity – tapered black suit trousers, black fitted roll neck and black leather boots. Hardly rocket science, but all the ingredients you need for a smooth look.
When you bring the jacket back in, the outfit comes to life thanks to the vibrant check. Great style is rarely complicated.
Black Technical Bomber Jacket with Jeans
Buck Mason
Rugged and masculine, the bomber jacket has been a mainstay in men’s wardrobes since the earliest flight jackets. Modern variants are typically made from technical nylon cloth, which gives them a shiny texture.
They play out nicely in black versions, helping to give your all-black looks a modern finish. Paired with black jeans and boots here, you could also use it to dress down a smarter pair of tailored trousers.
Black Leather Biker Jacket with Tapered Trousers
Reiss
This is a case of a game of two halves providing one complete and stylish whole. On the bottom, you have a smart pair of black tapered trousers that lead into a pair of black patent leather Chelsea boots – as classic a combination as you’ll find.
It’s simple, unfussy, and a great canvas for the more outgoing top half of the patterned monochrome shirt and Perfecto jacket. Like we said, keep them guessing.
Black OCBD with Tailored Straight-Leg Trousers
Buck Mason
The classic Oxford Cloth Button Down shirt has been a mainstay of preppy looks, but when you see it in its black form, you can appreciate it as a more versatile wardrobe option.
In this case, it has been paired with tailored trousers with a straight-leg cut for a slightly bigger silhouette. The addition of the loafers reinforces a simmering smartness, countered by the casual fold-back of the shirt sleeves.
Black Dinner Suit with a Roll Neck Sweater
Atelier Munro
The interesting thing about certain black fabrics, especially wool, is that under various lights, they can sometimes appear slightly brown or even blue. This dinner suit with silk lapels is a case in point. Thanks to the shiny wool cloth, it gives off a midnight blue hue.
Paired with a black roll-neck fitted sweater, it’s a confident approach to eveningwear.
Black Leather Jacket with Jeans
SELECTED HOMME
The four elements of this look—the jacket, knit, jeans, and leather boots—all complement each other perfectly thanks to the different textures and tones they bring to it.
The shiny leather jacket is the standout piece, but it wouldn’t be quite as effective without the contrasting wool jumper, offering a layer of subtle tactility.
Black Suede Blouson and Jeans
SELECTED HOMME
Suede is a stunning fabric for instantly adding a serious dose of texture to a look. This black blouson does exactly that, creating a layer of separation between the rest of the outfit elements.
It elevates what is a simple combination of black jeans and a grey T-shirt.
