Black and white are comfort colors. When in doubt, throw on a white top or a black pair of pants and you're set for the day, right? It's this mindset—that each is so routinely considered a "basic"—that they're easy to overlook if you're goal is to make a statement.

But if the red carpets and runways are to be considered, a black and white styled just right can still turn heads. It's mod, retro, classic—and in a sea of gowns that bring out all the vibrant colors—differentiating yourself by default is bound to get people talking.

Beyoncé did it recently at the Grammys in a sophisticated Osman number and we saw Marc Jacobs' unabashed love for the sixties play out on his most recent Louis Vuitton runway.

What we love most about this trend is that its high fashion, but still totally accessible. Try a black and white printed dress or go bold with a striped pant and solid top. Affordable pieces are available at various high-to-low labels and because they're black and white they can also stay in your closet as staples for a long time. Just keep mixing and matching to your closet's content.

A B&W ensemble is a foolproof way to strike that chord of appearing put together without even trying.