Shortcut to chic? Go monochrome

UK fashion expert Laura Craik says that ‘there’s a surge of monochrome mania’
READ MORE: Do YOU know how Zara got its name?

Nothing lifts the spirits like a splash of yellow, a drop of pink or a brilliant blue.

However, fashion’s pendulum is swinging in an altogether different direction this season.

Spring may well be springing, but banish all thoughts of daffodil or tulip hues.

The most covetable colours aren’t inspired by nature and aren’t really colours at all.

Do not adjust your sets: the future is monochrome.

Blazer, £25, riverisland.com; dress, £119, mintvelvet. co.uk; shoes, £160, ghbass-eu.com; watch, £134.90, kaptenson.com

Those who say life isn’t black and white haven’t visited the High Street recently.

There’s a surge of monochrome mania, inspired by the black and white prints at Michael Kors and Chanel, as well as the monochrome suiting at Alexander McQueen and Toteme.

For those who, like me, fondly recall My Fair Lady and the dress Audrey Hepburn wore to Ascot, this trend is excellent news.

Cecil Beaton’s Oscar-winning designs for that scene were inspired by his work as a Vogue fashion photographer.

He knew nothing looks more elegant than monochrome.

There’s something about stripping the colour from a garment that lends a laser-like focus to its form.

This is why it’s particularly good for tailoring.

Whether you choose a black blazer such as this piece by River Island, or a white Jigsaw one, adding a monochrome jacket to your look will elevate it.

There’s a surge of monochrome mania, inspired by the black and white prints at Michael Kors and Chanel, as well as the monochrome suiting at Alexander McQueen and Toteme

Dress, £325, rixo.co.uk; shoes, £100, selfridges.com; earrings, £82, sandralexandra.com; bag, £340, demellierlondon.com

Shirt, £185, daiwear.com; trousers, £420, serenabutelondon.com; shoes, £35.99, zara.com; earrings, £29, whistles.com

There’s something about stripping the colour from a garment that lends a laser-like focus to its form

Waistcoat, £99, mintvelvet.com; trousers, £77, karenmillen.com; shoes, £110, boden.co.uk; earrings; £20, accessorize.com; bangle, £85.50, galleria-armadoro.com

Other tailored pieces that work well include waistcoats, like this black design by Mint Velvet, culottes and wide-leg trousers (the black pair are by Serena Bute).

The best thing about monochrome is that you don’t need to worry about clashing colours. Handy when in a rush.

Being at opposite ends of the colour spectrum, black and white will always look eye-catching and rather stark when worn together: that is the point.

But by balancing out your choice of garments, the two halves will make a pleasing and harmonious whole.

This means adding a white dress to a black jacket, a black jacket to white trousers or even white accessories to a predominantly black outfit (or vice versa).

Those wedded to floral dresses could choose a monochrome version: the maxi by Rixo is ideal. Life is rarely black and white, but this trend’s simplicity is clear.

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