A camel and black outfit works because black does the structure and camel does the warmth, so start with one camel piece over all black. I put together four looks, from a camel cashmere sweater with black vinyl trousers to a camel plush jacket over black.
Camel and Black Outfits to Try This Fall
In 1957, Coco Chanel introduced a two-tone slingback made with the shoemaker Massaro: beige leather with a black cap over the toe. As Chanel tells it, the beige made the leg look longer and the black made the foot look shorter. It also proved that a warm neutral and black look better together than either does alone.
Camel and black work the same way in a whole outfit. Black gives camel an edge, and camel softens black so it does not look severe. It is the pairing for people who mostly wear black but want something a little warmer for fall.
A quick test: put a camel sweater or coat on with black trousers and black boots. If the camel looks golden rather than washed out, you have the right shade.
Black and Camel Outfits: Start With One Piece of Each
Boots are the easiest place to start. Gianvito Rossi's Glen Cuissard over-the-knee boots are camel suede on a block heel, and Aquazzura's Sentier 75 knee boots are black suede with a pointed toe. Loewe's Cala bag is a soft camel leather shoulder bag, and Julietta's Pantheon earrings are black resin drops with a carnelian stone. Pair any one camel piece with an all-black outfit and you have it.
A Camel Sweater, Black Vinyl Trousers
Allude's cashmere sweater is a camel V-neck, soft and a little loose. Courrèges' straight-leg pants are glossy black vinyl, which makes the soft sweater look even softer. Toteme's 85 leather boots are black and tall with a slim heel, and Savette's Soft Symmetry bag is black leather with a top handle and a small clasp.
How to wear it: tuck the sweater in at the front so the shine of the trousers starts right at the waist.
A Black Top, a Camel Corduroy Skirt
Heirlome's Micka blouse is black jersey with soft draping and long sleeves, and Sea's Garrett mini skirt is tan corduroy with pleats and a small buckle at the side. The skirt has a schoolgirl feel that the black top balances. Herbert Levine's Shadow Ban 30 ankle boots are beige suede on a low heel, and Kallmeyer's Magazine shoulder bag is black patent leather. Add black tights if it is cold.
The Camel Dress, a Black Plush-Trimmed Coat
Gabriela Hearst's Meier midi dress is camel ribbed wool and cashmere with a thin belt, sleeveless and simple. Anna Sui's woven coat in black has fluffy plush trim at the cuffs and hem, and it turns the dress into an evening look. Saint Laurent's Françoise 95 knee boots are glossy black patent, and Chloé's Paddington bag is beige suede and leather with the lock on the front.
What I would skip: camel shoes. Black boots connect the black coat to the floor, so the camel dress sits in the middle like a stripe.
A Camel Plush Jacket Over Black
Veronica de Piante's Mireia jacket is a camel plush with leather trim, the kind of jacket that makes an outfit on its own. Under it, Victoria Beckham's gathered jersey blouse is black with a high neck, and Alaïa's high-rise velvet leggings are black, so the base is one long dark line. Aeyde's Suzanne mules are beige with a mesh upper and a low wedge, which bring the camel down to the feet.
Borrow From the Slingback
Camel and black are easy because black does the structure and camel does the warmth. Choose camels that lean golden rather than gray, and blacks that are a true black. Let black take the trousers, tops and tights, and use camel for the coat, the sweater or the boots. If you only try one look, start with the camel sweater and black trousers. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together Pink and Camel Outfits to Try This Fall and Camel and Burgundy Outfits to Try This Fall.
