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I’ve been featuring a circus of loud and bold colors over the past few posts, so I inevitably feel drawn to wear the opposite today.  Black.  Black.  And more black.  Maybe a pinch of white or another neutral.  My Magpie Mother is cringing somewhere in NW D.C. as I write this.  {Does your mom always tell you that you look sooo much better in color, too?!}  Color may be mood-enhancing and capable of imparting a freshness to your overall look, but no one can argue with the ease and eterna-chicness of a black and white color combo.

If I could be wearing anything right now, I’d pick this L’Agence lace dress ($400, Net-A-Porter) with this speckled statement neklace (to die. — $140, Loren Hope):

 

I’d finish with those Thierry Mugler heels I’ve been swooning over ($1,225, Opening Ceremony) and a piped clutch ($100, Coast):

Preferably with this on my wrist ($2,500, Hermes):

 

Man.oh.man.  If I ever come into a big pot of $$ or somehow find myself a bajillionaire, that will be my first big girl purchase.  Done and done.

Or, how about this frayed tweed top from Alice + Olivia (see it worn to great effect on Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific here! — $265, A+O) paired with a chain necklace ($54, Spring Street), black skinnies, and cap-toe flats ($

Very Olivia P., eh?  Finish with a structured black tote ($79, Zara) and some oversized shades (YSL, $325, Net-A-Porter):

I might add a little scarf  — this McQueen skull print one has long been on my lust list ($445, Net-A-Porter):

Loans some edge to the look.  I’d top it all off with a trench coat in an unexpected white hue ($49, Target):

For some fresh new accessories, consider these giraffe-print flats ($185, Intermix) or this stark white tote (so awesome in person — just scoped it out on a lunch break! — $875, Bergdorf’s):

I’ve also been digging profiles with a bit of volume these days.  Thoughts on a simple crewneck ($65, J. Crew) paired with a full skirt (The Row, $875, Farfetch) and a statement necklace ($127, Bottica)?

Love it with these loud statement wedges (O to the MG — Charlotte Olympia, $945, Net-A-Porter):

HOT.  Need those badboys.  DREAMY.  And, as we hinge towards SUMMER (it’s supposed to be 80 today!!!  WHAT.), I like this breezy blouse (Thakoon, $260, Kirna Zabete) with tailored white shorts (Proenza Schouler, $395, Kirna Zabete) and some geometric studs ($49, Shop The Trend — P.S. — love House of Harlow 1960, if you can’t already tell!)

 

I’d finish with these darling statement sandals ($175, Loeffler Randall):

I’d finish with this simple, clean tote ($935, Mulberry), although — despite my earlier proclamation about a need for black/white, I’m kind of loving the idea of a splash of magenta —

 

Although…let’s be honest: if I’m spending $935, I’ll probably spring for one of those Alexander Wang totes I’ve been droning on about for centuries.  Le sigh.