As Simple as Black and White ...

Black and white. Simple.

But not always that easy ...

Black and white combinations are out there, big time, in the aethers of the Collective Style Consciousness. We all have black and white separates in our closets, so it should be easy, right? To my eye, it's been a "classic" combination so long, it seems more like a cliché the way I've been wearing it.

So, to make a fresh start with an old combination, I put a toe out of my own comfort zone, and turned some of my old combinations upside-down.

I automatically wear dark on the bottom. Always. But I quite like how this combination looks.

While this is dark on the bottom again, what is new (for me!) is the "tuck". I've never tucked in my shirts because  I'm very short-waisted.  But I've found that a little lower rise than usual and a half-tuck under a sturdy belt makes my waist look just a bit lower, and produces a more proportional me! 

Live and learn.

I've never worn this little black and white sheath in the summer.  The fabric is light enough to be comfortable, and I freshened it up with very skimpy, 

very summery sandals/heels.

(But I do look strange with black hair, don't I?)

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And of course, there is my black fan, and a white fan and one of my black and white fans  ... very common combination in Asian folding fans.  I think they add to the timely look of a black and white ensemble.

Kate Dengra, 

Fan merchant extraordinaire !

And speaking of fans ... I've found the most beautiful fans, customized and painted by a very cool young English woman who happens to live in Spain.  Her name is Kate Dengra. On her site she describes her life with her Spanish husband:

"We live in a cave house in rural Andalucia (real Spain - the heart of flamenco and free tapas). In 2005 we reformed 2 of our outer rooms and set up a Bed and Breakfast Guest House. I run the B&B with my Mum and my sister and we have now become famous for our homecooked meals."

Lovely!

And if that isn't enough to grab you, she's sold fans to celebrities Jessica Chastain, Cristina Aguilera and Emilia Clarke.  See her site and a post showing a LOT of celebs fanning around ..."Celebrities with Hand Fans" .  Then pop over and see her Etsy Shop, Dengra Designs with a huge selection of lovely hand fans at an absolutely affordable price a vast variety of styles and colors.

Here are a few of my modern-looking favorites ...

I'm looking forward to my first purchase ASAP!

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And finally, just for fun, a blast from the past and yet another a fan ... (with thanks to Wendy Brandes for the reminder.)

Have a great week! 

I'll see you over at Patti's 

100th Visible Monday Celebration !