Yes, You Can Wear Black in the Summer—Here Are 7 Chic Outfit Formulas to Follow
Summertime is synonymous with color—the oceans' richness, the sky's brightness, the sunset's golden hour hues. It's only natural to gravitate toward bold prints and vivid colors during this time of year. But for some, especially for the city dwellers living with an artist's edge, wearing black in the summer is as natural as throwing on a romantic floral dress. The key to embracing black during the warmer months? Experimenting with fabrics, textures, and silhouettes.
Vogue's Favorite Black Summer Staples
Besides, wearing black in the summertime doesn't mean you're forgoing all that the season has to offer. If anything, you're just going the monochromatic route. On the weekend, swap your white poplin skirt for a black option from Aritzia—it looks chic teamed with an embroidered lace blouse and raffia tote bag. Wondering how to toughen up your go-to essentials for beach trips and lavish destinations? Easy—eschew the printed sarong, natural-colored raffia hat, and bikini set in favor of their black counterparts. There are plenty of ways to incorporate the no-color-color this season, whether you're having a busy workweek or planning a Friday date night. Below, seven all-black summer outfit ideas for every occasion, ahead.
Picnic in the Park
A fitted tank, especially one cast in black, from Flore Flore and pull-on trousers from Mango, is an easy way to elevate a casual ensemble. Amplify the look with designer accessories from Toteme and The Row.
Weekend Warrior
Embrace the essence of the season by pairing summer's coveted textures together in one look. Embroidered lace, linen, raffia, and a jelly sandal join forces for effortless off-duty appeal.
Workin' Gal
For the office, swap your wool blazer and straight-leg pants for an oversized black shirt from Skall Studio and Bermuda shorts (they are currently trending!) from Mango. Dragon Diffusion's woven Japan tote will store a laptop, wallet, keys, and a desk lunch.
Au Revoir
If there's one thing we all look forward to the moment warmer weather arrives on the scene, it's the potential to plot a much-needed vacation. Showcase an air of mystery on the beach by wearing all black.
Business Casual
Business codes have come a long way from the boxy office wear of the past. Find feminine touch with a cinched waist linen blazer and matching pants from Alex Mill, ideal for both work and a dinner meeting afterwards.
Date Night
Silver-embellished fashion-forward accessories are an easy way to update a date night look. Rohé's off-the-shoulder maxidress sets the foundation—anything will look good paired with it. Add whimsy and charm with a beaded bucket bag and strappy kitten-heel sandals.
Pilates Princess
The time is now for Hot Girl Walks, morning Reformer classes, and weekends spent unwinding with a soundbath session. Sport all black on the way there with biker shorts and a strappy sports bra. Accessorize with Loulou de Saison's roomy cardigan.
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She recommends Vuori's moisture-wicking PR Shorts, which are meant to be worn in cold weather as a base layer. Club Ride 13-Inch Hifi All-Mountain Shorts Collins recommends Club Ride's Hifi All-Mountain Shorts, which are made from a water- and dirt-resistant polyester and spandex blend. Designed with eight pockets and a gusseted crotch, these shorts strike a balance between style and function. We love that they also have reflective accents for those early morning or late-night rides. Zoic 9-Inch Ether Bike Shorts and Liner This shorts set, which Collins recommends for mountain biking, includes Zoic's bestselling 9-inch Ether Shorts and its 7-inch Essential Liner. With an elasticated back waistband, mesh panels and angled pockets to keep your keys from falling out, these shorts are a great option for fuss-free trail riding. Rapha Men's Core Cargo Bib Shorts 'Rapha might be the brand that started the cargo-short craze, which has expanded across the biking industry,' Carolan said. 'They are very solid and innovative and have expanded their collections to be available in bike shops and retailers, not just online or mail order.' He recommends the Core Cargo Bib Shorts, which are designed for everyday riders. Fox Racing Men's Ranger Shorts If you're looking for a durable pair of mountain bike shorts, Collins also recommends these lightweight ones that hit at the knee. They're made from a moisture-wicking ripstop fabric, and they have a water-repellent finish. Adidas Men's Essentials 3-Stripes Padded Cycling Shorts Belluomo is a fan of these Adidas cycling shorts because they're 'super functional and will help you go the distance since they're padded for more comfort on long rides.' Primal Men's Alitios Limited-Edition Black Etheros Bib Shorts A fan of Primal Alitios bib shorts, Carolan singles out this pair of bib shorts. 'They use the best [original equipment manufacturer (OEM)] on the market for their chamois, and the straps, compression and fabric are top-notch for multi-hour rides.' He likens the quality of these ones to shorts double their price. Castelli Men's Premio Evo Bib Shorts If you don't mind spending a little more on your cycling shorts, Carolan said that Castelli makes high-quality gear for both professionals and amateurs, though some people find the chamois too thick. The Premio Evo Bib Shorts, which have a perforated back panel and are designed for long-distance rides, get his stamp of approval. 'When choosing cycling bibs or shorts, the most crucial element is the chamois (padding),' said Jennifer Cvar, an executive director at Momentum Indy. 'I generally look for bibs with multiple sections in the padding to allow for maximum comfort and support where it's most needed.' Carolan echoes this point, adding that the padding should work for your body and bike and be an appropriate thickness for the length of your ride. For rides over two hours, Cvar recommends opting for shorts with thicker padding to help protect the sit bones. Fit is another key factor to consider. According to Carolan, cycling shorts should be tight but not restrictive enough to cut off your blood flow or circulation. 'Bike shorts all take some time to break in,' he said. 'I recommend cyclists wash their shorts first and then ride a few times before some major race or event to break them in, confirm the fit works and ensure no issues come up. It's a very personal product, so it's important to try to test and see what works best. But you should be able to forget that you have them on when you're cycling.' You should also consider the material. Cvar recommends looking for moisture-wicking fabrics and features such as leg grips, which help keep the shorts in place. There are also aesthetics, length and the type of short — bib versus regular cycling shorts — which all boils down to personal preference. 'For me, personally, I never ride in cycling shorts because I don't prefer the feel of a waistband; [I'm] always opting for bibs, though I know this certainly complicates potty breaks for women,' Cvar said. Pro tip: Cvar recommends using chamois cream, like Undurbudr's, to prevent chafing since they're designed to be worn without underwear. The following FAQs have been answered by cycling experts Jennifer Cvar, Mary Beth Hogan and Jason Carolan, and include reporting by associate editor Rachel Dennis. How should your cycling shorts fit? How should your cycling shorts fit? According to Cvar, cycling shorts should have a snug fit to keep the chamois in place and prevent chafing. 'They should be tight enough that the fabric doesn't wrinkle or bag, especially around the crotch and inner thighs, but still allows for a full range of motion,' Cvar said. 'The leg grippers should hold the shorts firmly without digging in uncomfortably. A proper fit is key to maximizing the benefits of the chamois and the technical fabric.' How often should you wash your cycling shorts? How often should you wash your cycling shorts? Hogan recommends washing them after each use. 'One tip to increase the lifespan of cycling shorts is to allow them to air-dry rather than putting them in the dryer,' she said. Do all types of cycling shorts have padding? Do all types of cycling shorts have padding? No. While many pairs of cycling shorts do have padding, there are also cycling shorts that don't, such as the Club Ride Men's Hifi All-Mountain Shorts that Collins recommends. How long do cycling shorts last? How long do cycling shorts last? As Carolan said, a good pair of cycling shorts can last years if they're taken care of. To help extend the longevity of your shorts, he recommends following the care instructions on the label and avoiding the use of a dryer. 'You'll know when you start to have saddle discomfort when the chamois has broken down, and at that point, you should not use them anymore,' he said. 'For most riders, a pair of cycling shorts should last three to five years.' How many pairs of cycling shorts should you buy? How many pairs of cycling shorts should you buy? For those new to cycling, Carolan recommends purchasing just a few pairs. 'For someone starting out, two to four pairs would be fine,' he said. 'Cycling shorts need to be washed, so it depends on how often you ride and do laundry. For the 'everyday rider,' you'd want five to seven pairs.' For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights. Emma Belluomo, fitness trainer and nutrition coach, and instructor at CycleBar Jason Carolan, cycling expert with over 30 years of competitive riding and the chief innovation officer at Flexential Sally Marchand Collins, owner of Sundance MTB Skills Clinic and Adventure Jennifer Cvar, executive director at Momentum Indy, a nonprofit organization that organizes and manages bicycling events and festivals Mary Beth Hogan, triathlete; former D1 cross-country and track athlete; founding member of LaunchBreak, a networking platform for female athletes; and chair of The Armory Foundation, a nonprofit that offers athletic, educational and community programs Megan Kelly, USA Cycling Masters National Champ in Criterium; founder of STEAM Train Endurance Coaching; USA Cycling triathlon and swimming coach; and founding member of LaunchBreak Meredith Novack, former professional triathlete, swim expert, world record-holding extreme swimmer and LaunchBreak member CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate editor Rachel Dennis interviewed several cycling experts to get their insights on what to look for when shopping for cycling shorts and their recommendations.
