Colour is hard to master. Your complexion, the weather, the transport line you ride; all conspire to shift aesthetic harmony in your bedroom mirror to discord in the street. But evict pigments from your looks, and suddenly every piece in your wardrobe matches.

Monochrome (in this instance, we mean black and white) is styling sorcery that also sheds pounds – hence its status as fashion week’s unofficial uniform.

Make the most of this magic by bringing the penguin look into every day with these failsafe monochrome formulas.

7 Ways To Wear Monochrome

Easy-Going Offices

Even if you’re lucky enough to earn your paycheque in an office with little in the way of a dress code, that’s not exactly carte blanche to lead meetings in your gym gear.

Joggers and racerback vests might not cut it, but a well-fitting white crew neck T-shirt, polo or Oxford button-down paired with cropped black trousers and minimalist sneakers will do.

While your T-shirts and trainers can sit comfortably at the core of this laid-back look year-round, be sure to switch up your slacks as the seasons shift. In winter, try a wool pair. And in summer, lightweight cotton – although a good pair of chinos will suit most types of weather.

Corporate Offices

Wearing a black suit may be a potentially bankrupting mistake in business. But that’s not to say your only viable option is navy. Charcoal, particularly darker, almost-black shades, can balance the books between boring and business-appropriate.

You’ll want yours in a slim, not skinny, cut, with a subtle notch lapel – because as much as we’re into wider trouser legs, the boardroom isn’t for birthing style trends.

As important as getting your suit’s hex code right is what you combine it with. For an on-point partnership, wear your charcoal two-piece with a classic white shirt and either a black or black and white micro-patterned tie to make your pared-back base really pop.