Interesting, Angie, and I think it may have to do with a seasonal preference, as Janet noted. I don't mind wearing a little black with high contrast bottoms, like my white jeans, light-wash denims, or the Vince Camuto black and white striped pencil tube skirt I have that looks similar in pattern to yours, above. I love the way your cute mind "thinks" it's ink and cream.

I just have to be careful with the quantity and I could never wear all black as the happiness factor wouldn't be very high. I've been embracing lighter blues lately and I did a test last night when we went out to dinner by wearing a deep plum/prune/burgundy (whatever it's called) with my cream denim jeans and at first I thought I liked it, but then a "heaviness" occurred and by the end of the evening, I realized that these very dark colors were weighing me down, rather than giving me an uplifting feeling. An a-ha moment? Perhaps.

Ha, lol! I've always shied away from black and I'm probably the only one going in the opposite direction and adding little bits here and there as long as they aren't next to my face. I've added booties, belt, capri trousers, jersey skirt, ankle strap shoes and two bags. I know, awkward so and so aren't I?

I haven't actually thought about it much, but yes I have been shying away from black recently. It's usually seasonal for me, so not too unusual. I've been wearing more and more white on top, however, which is more unusual for me. I'm on day 3 in a row with a (different & clean) white top. I still have black basics, and am hoping to try on the VC black tube skirt this afternoon....

Like Ingunn, I have never been a big black wearer. I find that it is too harsh against my skin tone so I stopped wearing black a long time ago around my face. I still like black bottoms in winter/fall months but my spring/summer wardrobe does not have any black other than a striped black and white pullover.

Yes! I havy fallen in love with navy and white. Black and gray have been taking a back seat. I do wear some black because it bookends my hair but I am relying on it less. I guess I only have mental space for two neutrals and black and gray are out in favor of navy and white. Not sure if it is just a seasonal thing or a style shift. I guess I'll know in a few months

I am just the opposite. The black and white trend bug has bitten me hard, and my preference has been wearing lots of black with white patterns (never the opposite, as too much white doesn't appeal to me). The lighter weight track pants currently have given me permission to still wear black trousers this spring/summer.

However, I did buy bright sandals!

I'm really on the black and white wagon this spring. Usually by this time of year, I've eliminated most blacks, grays and dark denims until fall rolls around. I'm liking it with a heavy dose of white, though. I

I have to get away from "saving" my whites though. I am usually pretty good about wearing clothes I like and not saving them for wearing out and about. I even got an apron for when I'm cooking <http://www.amazon.com/Kay-Dee-.....B003OBY6JI>

But I still have this habit of trying to protect my bright white tops and jacket by not wearing them, for fear of getting them dirty.

Me too. I finished my seasonal closet change - out last week and was shocked to realize that I didn't wear my best (black) jacket or my best (black) pants even once during F/W. I bought one black item for S/S, a black - and - cream tribal print tee. Haven't worn it yet either, and I don't know why.

I've been on an all light neutral kick this spring but am looking forward to wearing black this summer as my favorite color for hot weather. It won't be head to toe black though. Maybe when it actually gets hot enough to wear it though, I will change my mind.
Angie, I thought that your skirt was ink and cream. I'm sure the SA told me the stripe was navy.

I'm wearing less black than usual & purchasing ink more than usual but I still wear quite a bit of black. Love your outfit Angie. Gorgeous!

Interesting - I've been wearing more black than I expected, and liking it better. A few months ago, I decided to try not to acquire more black because ink is so much more flattering on me. And I haven't (But I do have a couple of black items on my current wish list, so it won't last long).

I've actually been shying more away from white, because I'm in a season where my clothes get dirty every day, and they're high maintenance. (And my white jeans aren't really truly white anymore - they need an oxyclean bath, I think). I've also been less interested in brights (including white) lately and wearing more neutrals....

I'll join you if I may Angie. I would go even further - I would love to eliminate black from my wardrobe but I can't see it happening any time soon I had one black dress for summer & that was the only black I wore. Heading into winter my wardrobe looks SO dark by comparison. I have bought a couple of silk tops in lighter colours & I'm still looking for some lighter knits that are good quality but not wool

Wow, Fascinating. Quite a few people actually taken with black when they usually aren't at all - like Diane and Amy.

Caro, I knew you'd be joining me. (My pleasure of course). Suz, Inge, Sveta and Inge will too. In fact, Ingunn could have written Inge's response. Aida *might* join us. And Vicki, Mona and Suja are on the way.

Not me, I've actually been buying more. I've always been black with brights...and still am...but this spring I bought two black tops and today wore all black with some great pearls.

I would go for white if I could find drapey, fluid, full-length summer weight pants...very light to stand the heat, definitely not jeans...but that also were not see through. I think those two wishes are in direct opposition and can not exist together.

I've been wearing black for years, but in moderation. I never wear it next to my face, but couldn't live without black pants. I usually wear black with a fairly bright color, especially blue. I love black worn with practically any shade of blue. I look my best in most shades of blue, and black adds some sophistication.

Recently I've bought a pair of EF black crepe ankle pants and two pairs of black shoes. Tumi is coming out with a new tote that is somewhat smaller than their popular Q-tote. As soon as it's available, I'm buying one in black, and may also get one in sapphire, a new color for them.

Nope- for now at least black seems to be where I'm at regardless of season. I don't wear it exclusively, though.

Like Peri (above) I happily wear all black with pearls, and like Catnip (also above) with a bright colour (see recent WIW orange florals and leather).

I have recently bought black leather joggers, black peep toe booties and the electric floral pencil skirt with black background.

Yay, black!

I can't be without black - ever! It's my neutral and I really truly do feel good in it. Although I'm discovering ink blue and how wonderful go a neutral it is!

In a word... No:)

If any thing, my love of black grows stronger. I am however feeling very drawn to adding more white to my wardrobe to wear with my black:)

Angie that pic = love!

I shied away from black for about 20 years and have been relaxing and letting it in the last year or so. It seems to be giving me some of the polish I need! Especially in accents. I'm still put off a lot of things that seem "too black" though. No head to toe black for me

Nope. If anything, I'm wearing even more black than before. But then again it's my neutral of choice and my natural hair color.

I'm also buying a ton of grey/pewter/silver lately though. But half the time I pair that with black.

Interesting. I'm actually trying to increase my wearing of black this year! I just ordered a black top from AT and am looking for more. I also just got a pair of black pants from WHBM, and another pair is on the way. I just got a skirt from Loft too that is black with white polka dots.

I'm also increasing my white clothes. I am loving black with white right now.

When I first started getting interested in fashion about a year ago, I was afraid to buy black tops because I know that black doesn't work near the face for everyone. I am a Deep Autumn, so I can get away with it, but it's not as flattering as ink or navy. So I bought lots of ink and navy back then, but now I have "grown up" stylistically enough to say that I *want* to wear more black, and it's OK to wear it as a top, by my face. It won't look as nice as navy, but sometimes you just want black!

Nope! t's hard to wear in the summertime here, but my entire wardrobe is pretty much black, white, gray, and denim. : ) My summer black items are jackets and sweaters for the office, and two pairs of pants in case I need to get formal, but I LOVE black and alway will!

Angie, this question is so timely! I just started my "black shirt project" and already thinking I will change it to "navy shirt project". I keep trying to go back to black but its really ruined for me since I've realizes how much kinder navy or charcoal are to my coloring. So i will join you!

A little bit. I think it's because of my current view of what black looks good with. I'm more into column of color, low contrast looks than ever, and I don't want to be all dark for Spring and Summer. And I'm less willing to cut myself in half with black and a lighter color. Also, right now I really don't like how black looks with brights.

So I'm in a situation where I won't wear black with darks, pales, or brights! Hmmmm. I think my black tops are going to have to wait till Fall.

I like black and wear it year round, but much less in the summer. This might be partly due to living where the summers are hot and humid. I am trying to buy more navy this year though.

I have so little black - it's not avoidance really - just really not my thing. Navy - now that would be hard to avoid in my closet!!

How interesting. I will be very curious to see whether you rekindle your love for black in the Fall or whether it's a permanent preference shift. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that was the case.

I've always worn black more as a color than a neutral - it has never been a core neutral in my wardrobe. Even now, I have a few black things but rarely reach for them, unless it's to crisp up some white, which I wear almost constantly, year round. Black no longer flatters me and has never really called to me. Navy, grey, and white are my core neutrals and, like Caro, I'd love to eliminate black completely, I love to wear color and find that black drags colors down, especially light colors and pastels. White, on the other hand, brightens and freshens everything. I am fortunate to wear optic white well and I take full advantage of that. I haven't bought anything black - even shoes - in a very long time and don't see that changing.

I'm embracing more colors, and embracing black either with white or as part of a tonal look with charcoal, navy/ink, forest green, eggplant or burgundy. I'm liking the tonal black look more than the straight black look.

Also I prefer black or ink/navy on cloudy days when micro color differences between outfit parts don't show as much, and neither does white cat hair I've overlooked.

I just realized my summer wardrobe has a lot of black in it, particularly for the core pieces (black blazer, black cardigan, black t-shirts, etc). No wonder why I keep getting distracted by colors lately.

I've absolutely been shying away from black. In fact, I've only purchased one black item for spring/summer - a blouse - which I am returning since I found out it also comes in navy. I think navy and other shades of blue are are much better suited to my pale coloring. Blue is my black!