A New Yorker's Guide to Wearing All Black All Summer

New York’s affair with the color black is no secret. It’s been well-documented that those in all black appear smarter and hotter, in addition to being the de-facto color of the counter culture, championed by beatniks, punks, goths, intellectuals and city icons like Ginsberg and Warhol since forever. Beyond the cultural implications, black just makes sensein New York—it's the most versatile, low maintenance color you can buy in a dirty ass city that's short on closet space, but long on work hours and social obligations. Who has time to do laundry anyway?

With the summer season upon us, you're gonna hear a lot of noise about seasonal colors, summer trends, and beach styles. If you're like me, you'd rather take the L train at rush hour than cop a single piece of nautical clothing.

So tune out the noise, and don't despair if your monochromatic wardrobe is devoid of floral prints and khakis. If us New Yorkers can make a coin laundry machine in our buildings’ basement feel like a luxury amenity, we can definitely make black work in the summer. While all your friends are complaining about their white Hamptons fits getting trashed at the club, here are a few tips to staying fresh in all black while the summer heat turns up. Help us help you.

Long regarded for its light weight and breathability, linen has been a mainstay in warmer climates for as long as doods have been getting dressed. Look for high quality, breathable fabrics like 100% linen or blends with cotton, silk, or a viscose to help keep you cool in black, both literally and figuratively.

Linen shorts or trousers with a crisp cotton tee can be worn every day for a casual look, and an unlined, unstructured linen blazer is an easy versatile piece to throw on over just about anything if the occasion (or work) calls for a dressier vibe. Unlined light cotton or linen outerwear pieces like bombers or 3/4 length coats can also be worn in the evening to complete a kit when you need to be out and about.

Summer usually means less clothing, so when you're not wearing much, it’s tough to get a fit off. Try experimenting with proportion to differentiate yourself and stay comfy. Oversized tees (or tank tops) and elongated button downs pair well with slim fitting trousers. Shorts can also go above the knee if you’re feeling yourself, but please make sure you don’t play yourself with pasty stems.

In the event that you’re a real person and you have a job that requires that you leave the shorts at home, get you some pants that do both and consider a pair of cropped trousers in black. You can do a pair of slim fit cropped above the ankle (cuffed or not) for a more tailored fit or try a pair of drop crotch or carrot cut for a more progressive look. And if you are not as daring, make sure that denim is super-distressed.

Although the goal in the summer is to wear less, adding the right layer or texture can add a little depth to the all-black fit to separate you from the normies shopping at the mall.

You can break up the monochrome with a tonal all-over print for a subtle contrast, or look for some interesting fabric finishes like crinkling, fading, burnouts, mesh, or marled yarns. And combine a lightweight base layer tank in one of the aforementioned fabrics underneath a tee to add that additional drape and texture layer that all those fashion boys like. An extra upside is that when it gets too hot and sweaty, you can strip down a layer and you'll have that tank on deck to keep your tee fresh.

When you're wearing all black, there’s a fine line between swag and looking like a bartender-for-hire. Having the right accessories to round out the kit will make sure there's no confusion.

Shades are a no brainer in the summer and will also help you low key lurk (but, please: they're wholly unacceptable indoors or when it’s dark, unless you’re a really famous rapper, and even then, it’s questionable). You really can't go wrong with the classics as long as you find the proper fit for your face and don't try too hard with the frame shape. A nice classic shape in matte black acetate is always a safe bet.

Subtle jewelry helps accent the look and can provide just a little pop of color although it’s not technically black. The key is keeping it subtle; you're not tryna look like a Colombian cartel boss out here with the shine.

As a final option for the look, don’t be afraid to to pair those linen shorts or cropped trousers with some long socks. It’s not for everyone, but neither is this all-black-everything lifestyle. You’ve got to take some risks to run with the big boys.