Let's be honest about where we are. It is the end of July in Florida. The car is an oven, the afternoon storm rolls in at four, and nobody is thinking about fall.
So we are not going to tell you these are fall pieces.
What we will tell you is that black and white is the one thing in your closet that does not care what month it is. It works at 94 degrees and in October. It works for lunch and for dinner. And right now, the black-and-white pieces coming through our doors are the best we have seen in a while.
Here are eight that our buyers keep pulling off the rack. Some of them are already moving pretty fast.
1. Studded Cold Shoulder V-Neck Top
Rio & Rian, $29.98 (regular $59)
The cold shoulder is doing quiet work here.
It is a stretch knit with a V-neckline, contrast ivory piping, and dolman short sleeves. The stud detail at the shoulder is small enough to read as polish rather than sparkle, which is what makes it wearable at eleven in the morning.
Now: With white crops, we like this one with a scalloped hemline, and flat sandals. Layer a geometric or chunky silver necklace. The open shoulder is cooler than a short sleeve, in the literal sense.
October: Layer a stone linen jacket over it, and this look transitions to a cool evening.
2. White Cubes Airflow Asymmetrical Shark Bite Blouse
Shana Apparel, $84.95
This is the one people stop and touch.
It is a crinkled weave, so it moves away from the body rather than sitting on it. Scoop neck, three-quarter sleeves with folded cuffs, and an asymmetrical shark bite hem that means you never have to decide whether to tuck it. The black print reads as abstract from across the room and as architecture up close.
Now: Over white or black ankle pants, nothing else needed. A wide leg under a full blouse should not work. It does.
October: The same, with a 100% cotton sweater from Avalin thrown over your shoulders or layered if you are traveling somewhere cooler.
3. Airflow Cowl Neck Short Sleeve Blouse
Shana Apparel, $79.95
The cowl is the reason this one works when nothing else does.
Same lightweight crinkle fabric as the shark bite above, which is the fabric of the season for a reason. Dolman short sleeves with cuffs, straight hem, side slits. The slits keep the length from reading heavy.
Now: With a black and white striped pant and your everyday sandal. This is a wear-it-to-everything piece.
October: Add a long chain, and it goes to dinner. For a cooler evening, you could switch to the 3/4 version of this top.
4. Deanna Floral Embroidered Blouse
Parsley and Sage, $72.95
Cotton and linen, and you can feel it.
Eighty-six percent cotton with linen and a touch of rayon, which means it breathes the way a polyester never will. Scoop neck, three-quarter sleeves with gathered elastic cuffs, a keyhole-and-button detail at the upper back, and floral embroidery worked into the fabric rather than printed on top. Twenty-one and a half inches, so it is the shortest top on this list.
Now: With white Krazy Larry pants. Let the embroidery be the only pattern in the outfit.
October: Technically here in Florida, you can still get away with the white pants. If you want to switch it up for a more autumnal look, we suggest it tucked into dark denim with a belt.
Note: hand wash cold, line dry. Worth it for the fabric.
5. Frayed Denim Wide Leg Pant
Ethyl Clothing, $89.95
The pant that makes every top on this list look intentional.
Stretch denim, ankle-length, wide-leg, and pull-on with a wide waistband and a faux fly. Classic five-pocket styling so it still reads as a real jean, and a frayed hem that keeps it from looking too finished. Twenty-six and a half-inch inseam, which hits most women right at the ankle bone.
Now: With any of the four tops above and a flat sandal.
October: With a boot and an embroidered sweater. This is the pant you will still be reaching for at Thanksgiving.
6. Sailor Buttons Wide Leg Pant
Zac and Rachel, $36.98
The gold buttons are the whole story, and they take a basic pant and turn it coastal.
Bengaline stretch, cropped, wide leg, pull-on with a stretch waistband. The naval gold buttons sit on faux front pockets, which is a detail that costs you nothing in fit and gives you a lot in polish. Bengaline is the fabric that does not wrinkle when you sit down for two hours, which matters more in August than we like to admit.
Now: We love it with this khaki-and-black top from Shana. Short sleeve and easy to wear. Add a gold sandal, and you are good to go.
October: With a solid tan top and a loafer.
7. Black And White Striped Ankle Pant
Zac and Rachel, $36.98
A stripe that does the work of a solid.
Bengaline again, ankle-length, straight-leg, pull-on with a wide waistband and a mesh tummy-control panel. The stripe is fine enough that it behaves like a neutral, which means you can put a print on top of it and it will not fight.
Now: With a white crinkle blouse and a woven flat. For something different, swap in this Denim Shirt.
October: Switch to a black top and one good necklace.
8. Shadow Floral Belted Dress
Ninety Clothing, $39.98
If you buy one thing from this list, we would understand if it were this.
Crinkled rayon and nylon, button front, fold-over collar, dolman cap sleeves. Pleated at the shoulders, upper back, and waist, with an adjustable tied belt so you set the waist yourself. The shadow floral is tonal rather than high contrast, which is why it reads as sophisticated rather than busy.
Now: On its own with a sandal. It is a whole outfit, and it takes eleven seconds.
October: Swap the belt for a leather belt, add a boot and a cardigan.
The main thing
Black and white is not a season. It is the thing you buy when you want to stop thinking about what goes with what.
Every piece here is in our stores now and online now, so grab them before they sell out. If something on this list is talking to you, we would not wait on it.
Shop the Palm Beach Noir Collection
Or come see us. Twelve Florida locations, and our associates will tell you the truth about how something fits.
