How To Wear Black Without Looking Boring
Style Guide

How To Wear Black Without Looking Boring

blog
25 / Mar / 2025
5 min read

Now, don’t get us wrong — we’re big believers of black. It’s timeless, it’s sophisticated, it’s a staple. You cannot not have a black piece in your wardrobe. It’s a must. 
But we also have to be honest: black can sometimes be perceived as lazy. Or a safe choice. And sometimes, even boring. *gasp* 


The antidote to that, of course, is to make it more interesting. How? A lot of ways, actually! From thoughtful styling and strategic layering to accentuating it with the perfect headwear. 


Here are our top tips on how to wear black without looking boring. 

1. Embrace texture

 

Rebecca Little wearing a black dress with ruffles with our "ANNIE" wide brim hat in black
FORD MILLINERY Friend Rebecca Little wears a ruffled gown with gloves and our "ANNIE" wide-brimmed hat for a texture treat.


If you can’t make your outfit interesting by colour, make it interesting by texture! Think ruffles, sequins, tassels and frays. An all-black outfit is already a statement but you can amp it up by playing with different fabrics. Avoid looking one-dimensional and break the monotony by making use of textures. 


Got a black silk blouse? Play up the textures by wearing a wool fedora. Got a lace top? Pair it with a slick, wet-look beret. The opportunities for mix and matching textures are endless! 


2. Make a statement

 

Victoria Burns wearing FORD MILLINERY's WILD BILL hat
FORD MILLINERY Friend Victoria Burns wearing our "WILD BILL" statement hat.

 


The easiest way to do this is by pairing your all-black outfit with a head-turning headpiece or hat! Nothing says “I’m here, I come to conquer” better than a good, high-quality piece of voilette or wide-brimmed hat.

Taking note of the occasion is a must, of course! If it’s a gala, an embellished headband would work better than a wool fedora. If it’s something a bit more casual, you may want to go with something like a wool beret or a fun bucket hat.

3. Balance your silhouette

 

Sally Obermeder wears our "IZZY" in black
FORD MILLINERY Friend Sally Obermeder wears our "IZZY" in black


Love your outfit but can’t seem to put your finger on what’s missing? Perhaps it’s the proportions! They are there, but they may be a tad bit off. Make sure to balance your silhouette with the help of headwear. Trust us, it can help heaps!


For instance, you may feel like your oversized outfit is just too oversized  and you don’t like the shape of it. Add a bit of structure with a hat like a baker boy cap or a fedora.
You can also try to elongate your fitted silhouette with a padded headband. 


Want to cut through a typical tailored outfit? Opt for an interesting fascinator or an architectural headpiece for an edgy touch.


4. Elevate with embellishments

 

Kate Waterhouse wears our BRIGITTE velvet bow headband in black
FORD MILLINERY Friend Kate Waterhouse wears our "BRIGITTE" velvet bow headband in black


A little something-something can make a big impact. Think: a brooch, a statement belt, an architectural pair of shoes, an eye-catching piece of headwear. 

The most important thing? The details. A buckle, a chain, a feather. All of these things matter! These little touches show that you put care and thoughtfulness into your outfit. Not a part out of place.


5. Add a pop of colour or shine

 

Charlotte Chimes wearing a custom FORD MILLINERY beret with netting
FORD MILLINERY Friend Charlotte Chimes wearing a custom embellished beret with veil.


Now we don’t mean pair your all-black ensemble with orange (though that could work too). Keep the opulent vibe with something in the jewel or metallic families. A burgundy ribbon or a gold concho. A pop of colour or an added shine can give oomph to black.

Which of these tips will you try to make sure that your all-black look is top-to-toe cute?