Q&A about individual items, ensembles, and wardrobe

Black denim, versatile or not?

I haven't owned a pair of black jeans in years, but suddenly I'm attracted to the look again.

Questions:
- Do you find black denim as versatile as e.g. a dark blue wash?
- Would fading be an issue if I bought a pair of premium denim?
- I'm thinking boot cut jeans would be my best bet in black (I could wear them almost year round here, with ankle boots, pumps,...), but I also like the idea of black skinnies tucked into boots. Probably not as versatile though?

The latest reply was from Inge . You can follow further contributions to the conversation through the RSS 2.0 feed.


15 Replies

Posted 6 months ago

Inge,

Today I wore my favorite pair a straight pair of black denin (Ralph Lauren) and I find it very versatile (they are really dark black, not faded) and I can dress it up easily. they go with everything

Posted 6 months ago

I have a pair of black denim skinnies that I feel are slightly more dressed up than my dark jeans.
I wear them when I want the fit of jeans but just not the look of blue jeans. Mine are really black. I love them. For my lifestyle they are a nice alternative to dress pants. They look great with a slight heel.

Posted 6 months ago

I agree with the others that black denim can be dressed up or down. I'm looking for a straight leg pair (about 15") because then I can wear them with flats or heels. With bootcuts I would have to commit to a particular heel height.

Posted 6 months ago

I am really itching for a pair of black denim skinnies (or straight leg). I think it's a versatile look and a bit more dressy than blue jeans. I've never owned a pair but they're really catching my eye this season.

Posted 6 months ago

I have a pair of black denim trousers (kind of a straight leg cut) that for some reason I never wear. For my wardrobe and lifestyle, I find a dark blue wash more versatile, but also agree that the black can be more dressy.

Posted 6 months ago

I have not had a pair of black jeans since 1990. I remember because they were my first Levi's 501 and I was so excited. They were also horribly tapered that my mom ended up wearing them. It's been dark wash for me since... but now that I think about it, I like black denim.
I think black jeans definitely look cool, and knowing your style, I have no doubt you will make them work great. Which kind do you have in mind? The really dark black, or the ones where you can actually see that it's black denim. Does my question make sense?

Posted 6 months ago

I have a pair of black skinnies that I like a lot, although I don't wear them as much as regular denim. I don't think they are as versatile but there are certain combinations where they work better - e.g. I really like them with grey and white or yellow. I don't know about premium ones. Mine are from CM and they held up OK so far, but I suspect they'll fade sooner, so I try not to wash them very much.

Posted 6 months ago

I don't know if anyone has tried it, but there are special detergents on the market designed for keeping your blacks black. I love black denim and the edge it can provide to an outfit.

Posted 6 months ago

To me there is very little difference stylistically between dark rinse and black jeans. I often look for either when I am jeans shopping. Go for it!

Posted 6 months ago

I LOVE my black-black skinny jeans!

They have faded a little but I don’t mind the look. I wear them a lot with white, cream and cobalt. I don’t really like to wear black tops with my black jeans unless I add another layer that isn’t black. I also like to tuck my black jeans into chestnut and grey boots.

Hmmm. I think blue jeans are more versatile because I wear a lot of cream/white and black and blue jeans look better with this contrasting colour combination. Does that make sense?

Posted 6 months ago

Inge when I first tried the skinnies look last year I bought a pair of dark blue and black ones. I am loving the black pair so much I want to get a premium pair, as my current $30 pair are fading and bagging out so much they no longer look like skinnies.

I find them *more* versatile than blue denim since I can wear them to work without them looking too "jeaney" - wore them yesterday in fact. As for skinnies versus bootcuts I don't know how to advise you there - I don't currently own a pair of bootcuts so haven't been wearing any at all.

Let us know what you decide!!!

Posted 6 months ago

I actually just bought a pair of black jeans yesterday and I am so excited to wear them! I LOVE the look!

Posted 6 months ago

Thanks everyone for chiming in! I didn't need much convincing to begin with, but now I really want to get a pair of black jeans (MC: fantastic: please post pics!).

Danja: When I first posted this, I had these in mind (because I own them in a dark blue wash and they fit me perfectly):
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/30.....rchresults
So quite a "dark black":-)

I'm 99% sure that I want to get black boot cuts (I know, not the most "hip" style, but I think I could wear them with a lot of different items) and dark blue skinnies for tucking into boots. I love the look of black skinnies tucked into boots too, but won't be able to buy three pairs of premium denim (I'm hooked ladies, ever since seeing how fab the Ambers look on me, I don't want to wear my other jeans anymore;-)

I'll start a new thread about the skinnies. (I'm scared!-)

Posted 6 months ago

Another vote for black skinnies here (sorry Inge, I know you tend towards bootcut, but I really think that in black you might enjoy the skinnies more, since they look so great tucked in boots).
I don't find black jeans as versatile as blue denim (which you can wear with EVERYTHING), but I think they are a super wardrobe staple. It depends a bit on what colors your tops are. I have a lot of black tops, which I prefer pairing with blue jeans. But I love wearing black jeans with fuchsia, and also with brown (and some animal print accessories.)
I just bought a pair of black skinnies and chestnut boots and can't wait to wear that combo!

If you go with bootcut, my recommendation would be to go with a "soft black" rather than a black-black, which might look a bit stark. (Let me know if "soft black" doesn't make sense; I mean a more faded black denim, but not distressed.)

Posted 6 months ago

Sigh, now I'm starting to have doubts again:-)
I DO love the look of black skinnies tucked into boots Antje. (and the "soft black" makes perfect sense).
I don't have all that many black tops (three at the most), lots of grey, a bit of teal, purple, one cream sweater, fuchsia, a brightish blue etc.

Need to have another think now;-)

Can't wait to see your skinnies, I love black pants paired with chestnut boots (grey as well), yum!

Posted 6 months ago