The striking combination of a black top with white pants or jeans has always been one of my summertime favorites. The look is clean and chic, and I can almost pretend I’m Jackie O on the isle of Capri. The simplicity of this outfit makes it easy to wear, while the high contrast of black and white creates a bold, timeless statement. Other fashion icons have worn this look too, so we can certainly call it a classic.
Take a look at how some of our favorite fashion icons styled black tops and white pants through the ages. Their timeless looks still inspire us to style the outfit today.
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Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
Jackie’s look is the one I envision first, and it’s so easy to recreate. Find a perfectly fitted black t-shirt and pair it with cropped white chinos or jeans. You don’t even need a belt (or shoes, for that matter). Add a two-tone shoulder bag for your outing and finish the look with oversized oval sunglasses.
Coco Chanel
Channel Coco by layering on pearls and wearing a bold white cuff bracelet with a long-sleeve jersey top and wide-leg white linen pants. Add espadrilles for a bit of height and top it off with a captain’s hat. You can go all out with accessories or keep it simple with just one strand of pearls or a single cuff.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn’s super-simple look is all about perfect proportions. Wear a slim black turtleneck with sleeves rolled up, tucked into high-waisted white capri pants. She isn’t even wearing jewelry—and still looks effortlessly chic.
Bridgette Bardo
Brigitte Bardot wore her white pants Riviera-style with straight-leg trousers and a 3/4 sleeve sailor top. (Okay, hers may have been navy, but the look still works!) Puff up your hair to capture her carefree vibe—but feel free to skip the cigarette.
Princess Diana
Though bittersweet, this is one of the last times we saw Diana wearing the classic black top and white pants combo. Style it with a scoop-neck top under a black blazer and pair it with white skinny jeans. Complete the look with a black clutch and an all-black belt to get her polished style.
Do you love the look of a black top with white pants? Which of these iconic outfits would you wear? Personally, I think I need to choose more than one.
Or you can shop your own pieces here:
Shop Black Tops
Shop White Pants
You may also like to read 9 Of The Best Spring 2025 Fashion Trends For Women Over 50 and The Best Barrel Jeans for Women Over 50 and How to Style Them.
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