There’s a time for vibrancy. Whether it’s the summer’s trending Hawaiian shirts or a tie that injects some much-needed life into your business-casual looks during the colder months, the colour wheel rarely stops spinning. But when you’re tired of wondering whether lemon and mauve go (they don’t, by the way) know that darker tones always have your back.

Black is always the new black. It’s never a ‘Colour of the Year’ because it’s the lack-of-colour of every year – the shade that won’t clash, won’t add pounds, and won’t tell tales when you pour a glass of Rioja down yourself. It’s as happy at work as it is in clubs, or shutting down the front row. But it’s happiest in certain wardrobe staples, the inky workhorses that every good look is built on.

Whether you prefer to dabble in darkness or go all out with the deceptively easy (but always effective) all-black outfit, these are the pieces you need and how to wear them.

How To Wear All-Black Outfits

Due to the very nature of the shade, black has a whiff of villainy about it. Wear an all-black look and chances are you’ll instantly feel a little cooler than you did a moment ago. All-black is Johnny Cash on stage; the Reservoir Dogs crew walking in tandem; Batman flying through Gotham, and Jon Snow saving Westeros. All-black is cool. And it’s surprisingly easy to pull off.

But how is it done in everyday wear? Unlike other colours, there’s no chance of clashing by choosing two garments that are similar in tone – there’s no such thing as different shades of black. Instead, all-black mastery comes in pairing contrasting fabrics, which subtly breaks up a look while adding a welcome dash of texture.

Selected Homme

When it comes to trying your own all-black outfit then, be aware of fabric choice. Look to mix corduroy with wool, leather jackets with denim and cashmere with cotton – the more, the better. This will give a bit of life to what you’re wearing and will prevent things from looking too flat. For example, a black cotton shirt paired with black trousers of the same fabric will make you look like either a waiter or a bouncer, and nobody wants that.