If you sampled a random selection of the general public and asked them to picture a “fashion editor”, there’s a reasonable chance that they would summon an image of a sunglasses-clad woman dressed in head-to-toe black. And while this may no longer capture the full scope of the fashion editor crowd, it is also a trope that is grounded in historical truth, with fashion bigwigs, such as Grace Coddington, Emmanuelle Alt, Karl Lagerfeld, Raf Simons and, lest we forget, Edna Mode from The Incredibles, all known for their darkly tonal approach to dressing.
For many creatives, it has become their answer to the traditional “work uniform”, allowing them to streamline their wardrobes, cut down dressing time and feel put-together without pulling focus from the work at hand. It is an aesthetic that manages to be ageless yet edgy, versatile yet polished. In the words of Yves Saint Laurent: “I love black because it affirms, designs and styles. A woman in a black dress is a pencil stroke.”
But of course, you don’t just have to work in fashion to embrace the all-black look, and if you look at the fashion week runways, you’ll see that inky-hued ensembles are claiming the spotlight right now – in no small part due to the return of ’90s minimalism. From Saint Laurent and Gabriela Hearst, to Prada and Rick Owens, summer black is set to stay.
The best thing about the head-to-toe black trend is that you can recreate it using pieces that are already in your wardrobe – the secret is to go bold with your silhouettes and contrasting with your fabric finishes. So, if you want to inject a little fashion editor appeal into your new season wardrobe, scroll down to see and shop four all-black outfit formulas that come Vogue-approved.
Bomber jacket + pleated midi skirt + boots
Rib-knit jumper + tailored trousers + sneakers
Asymmetrical black dress + patent knee-high boots
Skirt over trousers + leather jacket
