I just never feel as good about a purchase as I do when it comes in black. If the requests I get for shopping picks via DM are anything to go by, a whole lot of you feel the same way. Apparently, you're all looking for chic winter essentials in black—black coats, black jeans, black tops, black boots, black sneakers, black bags—wear-on-repeat items that will outlast the season, with the caveat that you still want them to feel cool and on-trend.
One of the many perks of shopping for black clothing and accessories (on top of it being chic, effortless, timeless, versatile, yadda yadda) is that it encourages getting experimental with shapes, silhouettes, and embellishments. It's permission to let your lapel be enormous, your tote bags quilted, your shirts cuffed with feathers—a little low-key drama, if you will. Should that not be your cup of black tea, I also give you a slew of classic coats to wear forever, chic winter footwear and handbags that will get you compliments, and plenty of great tops to wear with jeans. From luxury buys worth investing in to affordable items that outperform their price tags, here are 98 ways to make sure your head-to-toe black looks are anything but boring.
Zara
Cropped Flap Jacket
Speaking of non-boring black looks, feel free to copy this one, starting with the jacket.
Mango
Quilted Shopper Bag
Retiring my sad tote for something a little more intentional.
J.Crew
Supersoft Cropped Cable-Knit Sweater-Tank Set
This perfect knit set is the shortcut to looking put-together.
Vince
Didi Hardware Ballet Flat
Glove shoes are already very cool, but this ring detail is next-level.
Loewe
Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
The low-key Loewe eyewear I've been waiting for.
Free People
Clean Lines Long Sleeve
It's about the square neckline.
Eloquii
Wide Leg Cargo Jeans
Whatever we've said about cargo pants in the past will not be held against us.
J.Crew
Piper Knee-High Boots in Leather
People will ask where you got these.
Topshop
Off the Shoulder Rib Crop Top
Hold for a dress in a similar style.
Reformation
Westlyn Wedges Heels
Downtown energy.
Free People
Angelina Bodysuit
The texture is perfect.
Freda Salvador
The Light Loafers
The delicate hardware.
Tibi
Black Denim Sid Jeans
The twisted side hems are what makes these jeans special.
J.Crew Collection
Cropped Feather-Trim Garçon Shirt
In case you're wondering what to wear to your office holiday party that starts at 5 p.m.
Mango
Wool Overcoat
I won't stop with my Mango wool-coat recommendations.
Puma
Velophasis Technisch Sneaker
Sporty black sneakers, I'm telling you.
H&M
Jacquard-Knit Sweater
Holiday meets après-ski.
Topshop
Wide Leg Trousers
It's all about the slouch.
Tory Burch
Jessa Slingbacks
Tory Burch isn't messing around with these on-trend slingbacks.
Mango
Faux Shearling-Lined Jacket
The wide lapel for a little drama.
Wardrobe.NYC
Denim Column Skirt
Wardrobe.NYC basics are always worth the investment.
J.Crew
Feather-Trim Cropped Cardigan Sweater With Jewel Buttons
Yes, the feather detail but also the buttons.
Topshop
Oversize Faux Leather Bomber Jacket
Definitely the jacket style of the season.
Toteme
Alpaca-Blend Beanie
The softest of beanies.
Mango
Rhinestones Velvet Dress
She's ready for NYE.
ZW Collection
Tailored Denim Vest
The neckline is perfect.
Rag
Bone
Featherweight Logan Jeans
Rag
Bone does the perfect dark wash.
River Island
Corsage Single Sleeve One-Shoulder Top
We love a going-out top.
Mango
Asymmetric Sequin Dress
Speaking of one-sleeve statement pieces.
Mansur Gavriel
Glove Flats
The red interior is classic Mansur Gavriel.
Zara
Slit Satin Effect Dress
This dress looks 10 times the price.
Mango
Chain Clutch Bag
If you told me this was Khaite, I'd believe you.
Maison Margiela
Tabi Ballerina Flats
The Tabi is the final word in ballet slippers.
Topshop
Faux Leather Straight Leg Trousers
Vegan leather is a winter essential.
Topshop
Longline Hooded Coat
If it's not cozy on the inside, I don't want it.
Rag
Bone
Nancy Cardigan
Understated.
Toteme
Chain Stitch Wool Blend Scarf Jacket
Never not thinking about Toteme's chain-stitched wool jacket.
H&M
Appliquéd Wraparound Necklace
I'm here for a rosette.
Mango
Satin Blazer With Lapels and Maxi-Flower
See above.
Lioness
Minimalist Maxi Skirt
The tailoring.
Anine Bing
Nadine Pumps
Ruched leather pumps are something I didn't know I needed.
Wardrobe.NYC
Off Shoulder Dress
Timeless yet on-trend.
Bottega Veneta
Knot Slide Sandal
Bottega knows how to make black sandals feel special.
Rag
Bone
Irina One Shoulder Top
You'll wear this top forever.
Topshop
Pintuck Tie Front Blouse
Easy.
FP Collection
Rumor Diamante Mary Jane Flat
Perfect with denim.
Mango
Leather-Effect Shoulder Bag
This bag silhouette is dominating.
Adidas
Samba OG Sneaker
You know you'll wear these on repeat.
Nordstrom
Cashmere Turtleneck Sweater
Nothing boring about cashmere at this price.
Mango
Open Back Dress
This neck detail.
Loewe
Puzzle Fold Convertible Large Leather Tote
The most special tote of all the totes.
Reformation
Giusta Oversized Cashmere Cardigan
I have no words for how soft this cardigan is.
Prada
Logo Patent Slingback Pump
There's something going on with patent leather right now…
Zara
Open Back Knit Tinsel Dress
I love a long-sleeve dress.
Tibi
Schema Sculpted Top
This length is so chic.
Mango
Quilted Shopper Bag
Elevating your commute.
JW Pei
Abacus Top Handle Bag
A piece of art.
Gucci
Leather Belt
Gucci's take on the buckle shape of the moment.
Topshop
Oversize Half Zip Textured Fleece Pullover
Winter calls for a polished fleece.
COS
Pleated Knitted Turtleneck Maxi Dress
This dress is a moment.
Sorel
Caribou X Textured-Leather Boots
The coolest waterproof boots.
Reformation
Mason Wide Leg Pants
These come in a slew of colors, but the black pair is perfect.
H&M
Oversized Wool-Blend Jacket
Personally a huge fan of winter-weight textured blazers.
Zara
Faux Leather Puffer Jacket
A vegan-leather puffer jacket that's just the right crop.
Jacquemus
Le Bisou Perle Embellished Taffeta Shoulder Bag
This one's a Net-a-Porter exclusive.
Stuart Weitzman
Emilia Mary Jane Flat
The Mary Jane trend continues.
H&M
Ribbed Top With Overlocked Edges
The sculptural trim elevates this basic.
Rag
Bone
Retro Runner Sneaker
Elevated retro.
H&M
Puff-Sleeved Organza Top
As pretty or as cool as you want it to be.
Topshop
Faux Leather Maxi Skirt
Perfect with heels, sneakers, or boots.
Longchamp
Le Pliage City Crossbody Bag
Always here for any variation of Longchamp's Le Pliage.
Topshop
Heritage Oversize Crop Waxed Cotton Jacket With Faux Shearling Lining
The corduroy collar adds interest.
Reformation
Cello Knit Top
Elegant.
Topshop
Crop Sweater
Everything about this collared knit.
Zara
Fitted Buttoned Vest
The tailoring!
Marc Jacobs
Mini Teddy J Marc Faux Fur Shoulder Bag
Click in to see the texture.
Asos Design
Curve Wrap Front Bodysuit
A wrap-style bodysuit is so chic with jeans.
Good American
Scuba Blazer 2.0
Just a particularly good blazer.
Coach
Tabby Polished Pebble Leather Wristlet
The black-on-black hardware is very cool.
H&M
Blanket-Stitch Textured-Knit Cardigan
So polished.
Asos Design
Long Sleeve T-Shirt Maxi Dress
Again with the long-sleeved dresses.
COS
Pointed-Toe Leather Knee-High Boots
This subtle curved heel is it.
Rebecca Minkoff
Darren Signature Carryall Bag
Quiet luxury.
J.Crew
Plaid Lady Jacket With Textured Lurex Metallic Threads
What can I say? I'm here for this style.
Nike
V2K Running Shoe
Very cool.
Topshop
Tala Croc Embossed Faux Leather Tote Bag
Such a chic tote for under $100.
H&M
Leather Slingbacks
Couldn't be more on-trend.
Cos
Quilted Recycled Polyester Shoulder Bag
If you can't get enough quilting details, I hear you.
J.Crew
Giselle Sweater-Blazer
I love the length.
Simon Miller
Bubble Slipper
Simon Miller's padded footwear is iconic and so comfortable.
Tibi
Drapey Jersey Ruched Strapless Top
I won't apologize for how many excellent tops I'm including on this list.
H&M
Cable-Knit Midi Dress
There are a lot of ribbed-knit dresses around, but a heavier cable-knit feels particularly modern.
Natalie Cantell is an NYC-based style director, creative consultant, and contributing fashion editor. She was the executive director of Who What Wear and Marie Claire’s brand studio until 2023, and now freelances globally on shoots, stories, and special projects across fashion, luxury, beauty, home, and travel.