Fashion: Black and white is colour combo of spring

Stripe blazer, £45; spot dress, £38; both Next (0844 844 8939/www.next.co.uk). Picture: PA Photo/Handout. (Image: Archant)

The usual fanciful florals of spring have been left to wilt, pretty pastels are in the shade and bright colours in the bargain bucket.

Rosie white blazer, £60; white waffle mini skirt, £22; stripe jumper, £35; white sunglasses, £12; Kasabian sandals, £40; all River Island (0844 576 6444/www.riverisland.com). Picture: PA Photo/Handout. (Image: Archant)

Right now, black and white are the transition double act to ease you between seasons.

Black and white dress, £139; Reiss 1971 (0845 604 7457/www.reiss.com). Picture: PA Photo/Handout. (Image: Archant)

If you haven’t joined the monochrome movement yet, it’s one of the chicest and easiest trends to work for both everyday or eveningwear.

The versatility of monochrome means that there’s also a myriad of ways to wear it, from colour blocking to catwalk-inspired checkerboards.

Here’s how to be a black and white beauty:

Check mate

Forget looking cool, this spring is all about being unapologetically square.

Take minimalism to the max in uber-bold black and white square checks. Wallflowers may feel more comfortable in a significantly smaller houndstooth check.

Floaty shapes can sometimes work out but this geometric look is a far better style equation when teamed with structured, clean silhouettes.

Block buster

Black with white accents or white with black accents - it’s a simple but bold combination that works every time with colour blocking. The higher the concentration of white, the fresher your look will be for spring/summer.

Sharp stripes

It was graphic prints galore on the catwalks, with modern lines in black and white leading the way.

This season’s modern stripes are big and bold, creating an almost nautical look - minus the navy, of course.

You don’t have to go the whole hog with a Beetlejuice-inspired suit, but stripy trousers or skinny jeans are a big statement if you dare.

A dress is a much more versatile piece but beware of the direction of your stripes. Aim to create curves with bold, horizontal stripes and minimise them with vertical, skinnier stripes.

Spot luck

For a monochromatic ensemble that’s less sharp, more youthful, but just as statement-making, look to super-sized polka dots.

The trend may not have been “spotted” as much on the spring/summer catwalks but the pop art print is in keeping with the Sixties vibe that designers adopted.

If spots feel too primary school for you, try a black and white leopard print for a print with extra bite.

Avoid the fashion equivalent of a measles epidemic by limiting your outfit to just one eye-catching accessory or piece of clothing.