I’m so glad to hear this. But I’m also so glad that you have inspired me to see beyond black. It used to be, if a shirt was available in several colors, including black–I would ALWAYS get it in black. It seemed like the only non-black tops I owned were just not available in black. So if I found a top that fit and flattered, I would buy it in black first, if not available in black, then any other color second.

I am also very careful not to wear black head to toe anymore. I used to do it a lot–because I thought it was slimming. I would still love to find my pefect LBD though.

Thanks for keeping us on our toes Angie!

Thank you for the positive side of black. I love black and feel best in it. I do, however, never wear all-black ensembles, brighten it up with scarves and jewelry, and frequently pair it with grey or white or silver – always with jeans. Also, I like to carry a cream or coloured tote and wear metallic ballet flats (in summer), Converse in winter.

I think it has a lot to do with proportion and balance, so I generally strive to work on that when wearing black.

For positives, black worn right always feels classic, is appropriate in almost all situations, maintains its clean look even when food is splattered by a toddler (black doesn’t show the water stain when you clean it in a washroom!), and makes packing very easy. And is slimming for someone who carries a little extra around the waist.

Long live black!

YLF has definitely helped me out of the black rut. I was in it for a long time because I thought it was slimming. It is, but since I’m one of the people who looks sickly and pale in an all black outfit I was not doing myself any favors dressing like that. I still have quite a few black pieces but my color choices are a lot more varied now.

I too am attempting to get out of my black rut, even tho’ I love it so. I try going towards dark greys but a really dark blue is my best bet–I have blue eyes. I don’t really like navy all that much and I try to stay away from the nautical theme but this spring seems to be the thing I’m seeing the most in darks.

Too right! Black is essential, and many pieces would look sub-par in other colors … but it can be a total crutch.

I agree that black is a good wardrobe staple. I mostly wear black in the form of black pants or skirts for work. I try to wear brighter tops or add a pop of color with shoes, purses or accessories. On my wardrobe to-do list is to get some other neutral pants for work.

I do have a couple of basic black tops, but I like to add color with scarves or jewelry. I also have a black cardi that is a wardrobe stable. I wear it often enough that I update it every year or so.

I have never worn black from head to toe (unless it’s a dress) it just doesn’t feel right on me.

That is a gorgeous dress and shawl Angie! I haven’t seen that picture before. You look beautiful!

Thanks Angie. My ears must have been ringing, I dressed for your blog entry. I am in black today. Black pencil skirt with leopard lining (your recommendation), black textured tights, black tall boots, black turtleneck knit AND dark red with ruffle cardigan, belted in black with chunky creamy pearls. Lots of black with a huge pop of red.

Your outfit sounds very pretty Eva.
I know 2 women who will be relieved to know that black is not totaly out. These 2 women look good in black but feel like they have to stop wearing it because black is bad. I think some people just have the hair and skin color that is set off nicely in black and that is why they gravitate towards it. One of these women has beautiful blonde hair and the other has dark hair with natural redidish highlights.

Thank you for this blog post to help clarify black in the wardrobe. It’s been prominent in mine since my hair turned grey, but still isn’t a fab color on me. Blacks seem to go together better than different pieces of navy or brown or grey (too many shades) so make packing much easier.
Has anyone noticed that there are some blacks that look better on than others? A very deep black or shiny black next to my skin is not as good as a softer black in a matte or textured fabric. Faded black is the best for me, unfortunately.

I’m one of those rare people who never wears black. It looks terrible on me. Instead, I wear a very dark espresso brown, close to black, which seems to suit my extremely fair, freckled skin and reddish hair/green eyes combo much better.. However, I don’t do head-to-toe espresso – very drab. I also think dark brown with olive green can be extremely dreary as well. I’m always looking to tomato red, chartreuse, and turquoise to add punch.

I do have a question though: I agree some items look better in black. Which ones do you think MUST be black?

Because honestly I have not one speck of black in my wardrobe. No little black dress, just colours and dark espresso brown. No black pants, just dark brown, or dark dark olive, or microcheck in grey/brown. If I was going to wear black clothes, what would they be?

Oh and I also don’t wear stark white. Same effect as black, makes me look awful. Cream, ivory, etc, which counts out the crisp white shirt look for me.

I’m thrilled to have helped people out of their black rut. Well done Nicole, Joelle and Kristers. You’ve made my day.

Ellen and Violet, it sounds like you’re incorporating black perfectly into your ensemble mixes. I’m impressed. (And thanks for the lovely compliment, Violet).

Eva, you’re outfit sounds fab!

Joy, I like your knowledge of the different shades of black. Sounds like you have that sorted too.

Lex, I have a client who does not wear black, EVER. I don’t even think she has a black pair of shoes. But she does have a black handbag and a pair of black Hunter wellies. That’s it. So to answer your question, if you don’t look good in black – I don’t see it as a must. Black accessories might be the way to go. As for the LBD, yours might need to be the “little grey dress”. Somehow, I can’t see a little brown dress working as well. Hope that reassures you.

I must confess, there is only one black piece in my wardrobe – a black woven, button-up type shirt.

Once I realized that black was a crutch for me, and so prevalent in the style of our society I stopped wearing it. I remember my mom saying, “you look like all the other girls in the mall – blonde hair and clad in all black”, not a look I wanted.

Angie, which pieces are the – better in black – pieces? Or is it not so formulaic?

I failed to mention that we all like to see your pics Angie, it makes the blog that much more personable.

I don’t have a single pair of black shoes either, nor handbag. Although I do have a black belt.

I personally think black is one of the top three colours that suits me best. My skin just always seems to glow when I wear it. I’m glad, then, that it’s not a fashion no-no, because I’d be sad to give it up. I’ve always had to be careful about the black-rut because knowing black looks good on me, when in doubt, I tend to choose the black. Especially in years when muted tones and browns are in, because I can’t wear ANY of those, so sometimes I have trouble finding something not black.

I’m wondering what you think of mixing black and bright colours. I’ve heard some say it looks exciting and fun, but I’ve also heard “it makes the colours look cheap and the black look boring” from nay-sayers.

I like and look good in black, but I do like other neutrals as well, especially white/cream and ink blue. I am very fond of black and white together, especially white shirts with black shoes, and white coats with big black buttons.

I spent most of my professional life before changing jobs (and finding YLF — I don’t know which was the bigger influence!) in black only, which only looked worse as I got paler and paler due to not being outside. Ink blue and deep brown are now my new best friends, and I’m glad for it, because black now looks awful on me.

I do still have my majority-black wardrobe, but I’ve been trimming back on it through donations over the past year.

Black is my neutral but I have to be careful not to add more black tops to my closet. Recently I went through my closet and culled out any faded, cheap looking or just duplicate black tops in an effort to see through the “sea of black”.
A perfect black cashmere sweater is pure joy and can be re-worn in countless ways and repeated through the month.
I still have far too many black bottoms to work through and that is my next goal.

My other neutrals are gray and dark denim with an occasional nod to dark brown.

I love black. I almost wear at least one black piece every day. Since I have black hair and black eyes, black clothes suit me well. However I agree that black rut is a big no no. I have a coworker who wear all black ensembles almost every day. Even though she looks very good in them and her outfits are very stylish, I find it boring seeing her in black all the time.

I look awful in black near the face. It is aging and makes me look jaundiced.
But, I love it, so I wear it in accessories and skirts and slacks.

Well I am glad to hear black is OK also,since I love black and it seems to love me.

I really think the key to black is fabric. I don’t own any black cotton because it looks cheap the minute it is washed. It fades and shrinks and looks cheesy.(in my expierence anyway…no matter what the quality of cotton)

A beautiful pencil skirt in great rich fabric and a black cashmere sweater is so classic and beautiful. and simply adding leopard shoes or a bright scarf…some jewlery….you can go just about anywhere.

I actually wore all black today like several others here…and felt good all day.

Lex …you might consider a black trench coat …if only one piece…it is a wardrobe staple.. and if it is good quality, you will have it forever.

I used to love black, and now I feel like it can be too harsh, particularly near my face. Still, I wear it on occasion, although navy is starting to interest me more!

Coincidentally, I just had this discussion with my husband this morning, way before I saw this post!!! I, too, used to love black and whenever I saw something I liked, would say to myself, “Ooh! That’s cute! I wonder if it comes in black?” I think I was using black to “hide” myself a bit, and began a conscious effort to steer away from black as a default wardrobe choice. My new neutrals are chocolate brown, camel, charcoal gray, ivory, and bronze. As I get older I find these colors more sophisticated and flattering to my caramel skin tone than black.

I don’t wear much black because baby stains (ie. spit up and snot) show like a flashing neon sign on black.

I like black and wear it relatively well. I went through a couple of phases with it: first I wore it a lot and with everything; than after reading that it shouldn’t be worn with other colors, only neutrals i wore it much more rarely, with greys and creams only. Finally, after finding YLF, I am in the happy middle, I do wear it now, but not too much. I am happy to wear it bright or muted colors, as long as there are other neutrals ( cream, denim) involved; but i would not wear it with pastels, it looks to harsh. I even like all black outfits, as long as there is a lot of different textures and at least one non-black accessory involved.

I actually love the black look when it is done carefully. First of all, the shades of black should match. Wearing two shades of black is like wearing two shades of jeans together. Once all the black’s match, it is important to break the monotonous outfit with a bright or patterned belt (or purse or shoes) and original bright jewelry pieces that fit one’s lifestyle. Wearing patterned tights is another option to cheer up this look when wearing a skirt. Never to mention, best not to wear the same color day after day and this includes black…

I’m new to YLF and I loved the site. What a beautiful group of ladies!

I like hearing about everyone’s preferred neutrals. As we get older, we tend to change our thinking. 20 years ago, black was the ONLY neutral for me. But now it’s part of five neutrals I love – black, white, cream, grey and red.

Well done Therese and Chris.

kh, Carissa and Jeune, you crack me up.

Legacyofpearl, thanks for the compliment. It’s nice to have you onboard and judging by your name, you are in good pearl-loving company.

I think that white is easier to wear than black. Also, white is great for layering, so even if you don’t like yourself in stark white, it’s fabulous with a contrasting colour. To date, I have been able to make white work on everyone. But black, is a different story.

Taylor, I’ve had black trench coats on people that don’t work, so I sort of disagree that it’s flop proof.

Tanya is spot on with how to wear black with brights. I absolutely believe that it can be done if there is a neutral or denim involved. Great look.

Asian women look particularly good in black. Their black hair, black eyes and white skin seem to really make the colour work.

I’m definitely a fan of black. I’m curious though because, watching WNTW they say black + colours don’t mix because black “cheapens” the colours. Obviously you don’t agree Angie? Are there any guidelines for this?

I love black with red, olive and dark purple, not so much with other colours. Or maybe I just don’t like other colours as much. Unsure!

My weekday winter wardrobe definitely contains too much black but I’ll worry about that next fall/winter. Black is probably one of my better colors so it’s really hard for me to resist. Yet, recently I’ve started to feel that the way I wear it may be a little too rock chick. I almost put together something with black today and felt bad, it being a Saturday and all. As soon as I got to my destination I saw two people wearing good outfits with black and white and winced. I felt all boho and ugly. I even have new black flats I could have worn as well as the perfect short little suede fold down black boots. Oh well there is always next winter.

[...] hope there’s enough colour variety this season. Although it’s stylish to wear black in the right doses, it’s refreshing and uplifting to wear a colour other than black, especially on a chilly day. Do [...]