Black, black and more black

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Black, black and more black

— by Angie

on September 3, 2009

There is going to be a lot of black in the Autumn and Winter collections this year. More than normal. I adore the right black wardrobe items and my personal style wouldn’t function without them. Black is a good basic and certain items just look best in this colour. But I’m a little worried about the sea of black that’s forecast for stores this season.

Black is not flop proof. It can look dull, severe and lifeless against the skin, especially as you get older. Yet for many women it’s become an easy fallback option because of the perception that black is versatile, chic and slimming. Black is all of those things, but it has to be worn in the right way. It can look great when worn head to toe, if there is ample textural interest. Texture adds movement and depth to the hue, bringing it back to life. Black is also beautiful paired with white, cream, grey or rich reds, blues and browns. As for the rest, it’s a little trickier to get right.

I 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 you wear too much black?

Some typical pairings of black items this season. Wearing black with black is often encouraged, once again confirming my earlier suspicions about a 90’s revival in fashion.

58 comments · Add a comment

Sarah

*raising hand* I do wear too much black, but it’s my favorite “color” because it fits perfectly with my personal style. I would wear each of those outfits you posted. So chic and timeless.
I have learned (from you!) to combine various textures to create interest. That has helped a bundle.

September 3, 2009 at 7:49 am

Ele

(website)

I’m wearing head-to-toe black right now! Skinnies, draped top, tuxedo jacket and jazz shoes. I did put on a stripy scarf to run out just now, but it’s pretty clear that I love this colour!

I’ve always worn a lot of black, even when I was a kid- my mum bought me black clothes because she thought I looked so good in it! As I get older I always make sure that I’m wearing mascara and blush if it’s near my face though, otherwise I can look washed out. I don’t think I wear “too much” black, but it definitely makes up a good percentage of my wardrobe.

September 3, 2009 at 7:50 am

Tanya

I like black, and war it often, although usually not had to toe. I try to add something, grey, cream or denim, maybe a touch of red. I like all black for going out especially if there are different textures involved.

Btw, that DVF coat is to die for.

September 3, 2009 at 8:01 am

Susan H.

Black looks good on me and I wear it pretty often, but I always pair it with gray or white to soften it a little.

I’m also trying to wear more navy, since I’ve discovered that it’s an even more flattering neutral for my coloring (fair skin, dark hair).

September 3, 2009 at 8:01 am

velvetychocolate

I’ve been guilty of buying way too much black. It was always supposed to be ‘slimming’ and as a result, I have no idea how to work with actual colour now. I’m trying hard to steer away from automatically buying the thing that comes in black. If there’s a choice of colours, a stack of lovely sweaters or a rack of beautiful blouses, I get the black. I would like to stop this practice!

September 3, 2009 at 8:04 am

Laura

Guilty as charged. Black is always my fallback, and this season is only enabling me.

September 3, 2009 at 8:05 am

greenglove

I wear black often and love it with copper, olive and camel. I usually wear another color in addition to black unless textures are varied as suggested. If I wear it near my face, I almost always soften with a scarf. I think black is the right neutral with very bright colors. Lots of black, small amount of a brilliant hue is a fun way for me to dress when I want a dressier or more dramatic look for an event. If I wear mostly black I feel as Ele stated that it is necessary to wear more eye makeup and lipstick, otherwise I feel washed out. I usually wear it mono chromatically much more in the evening. I tone it down during the day by mixing it with browns and other earth tones.

September 3, 2009 at 8:08 am

Wendy

(website)

I don’t think I wear too much black, but it’s definitely prominent in my wardrobe. I tend to add a pop of colour with a scarf, shoes or handbag (my winter favourite is red patent).

September 3, 2009 at 8:11 am

Jill

(website)

I tend to gravitate toward softer nuetrals: gray, brown, khaki…

Black it too harsh and serious for me. That’s not to say I never wear it…just in small doses.

September 3, 2009 at 8:16 am

Danja

(website)

I like to use black in my outfits, but my closet really doesn’t have much of it (a cardi, a pencil skirt, a black button down and a suit). Most days I don’t wear black at all, but then there are days that I love monochromatic look, so I go all out. I am so focused on other colors for the Fall (shades of purple, shades of yellow, red and ivory) that I am not concerned I will spend next 6 months in dark clothing. I do however look forward to pairing black with yellow and red (not together) with touches of white.

September 3, 2009 at 8:17 am

Joy

At least one fashion book on how to dress recommends black as slimming because one doesn’t see shadows of the luimps and bumps and that black makes inexpensive items look more expensive. Since joining YLF, I’ve cut back on black, especially shoes, and noticed that a “soft” black is better near the face than a deep black. Your advice to add another neutral or color and/or texture is golden. I’m weaning myself off black because there are so many other colors that are more flattering. Chocolate, charcoal, and ink blue also don’t cast shadows and are softer.

September 3, 2009 at 8:17 am

Bitsy

(website)

I wear way too much black. It pretty much makes up my entire wardrobe. I’ve been trying to step out of my box more lately and have been wearing color, but I just don’t feel comfortable in it. I feel best in black.

I wear black so often that it’s kind of a joke in my family. I have a cousin that begs me to wear pink, and my dad always says, “Do you own any clothes that aren’t black?” when he sees me. The one or two times I have worn color, my mother-in-law always exclaims “What a pretty color!” even if it looks horrible on me. lol

September 3, 2009 at 8:24 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Interesting. How much is too much black? I have clients who wear too much black. I have clients who don’t look good in black. It’s a good question. How do you know you’re wearing too much black? Are you sure black looks good against your skin tone?

I wear a lot of black, BUT, it’s always with white/cream – even if it’s just with white pearls (you can see that recipe in action in yesterdays blog post). Sometimes I’ll add grey in too. I never wear black from head to toe, even if it’s a dress. I’ll break it up with a bright colour or another neutral.

As I look through this seasons collections, the items that catch my eye in terms of design and fabrication are all black. Black, black and more black. Hmmm.

September 3, 2009 at 8:26 am

amazona

I agree that as we get older it can look too severe. I love black so I have to pay more attention to texture and drape to soften and make it interesting. I would be interesting to see some examples of what not to do.

September 3, 2009 at 8:38 am

Laura

Hmmmm, I don’t know if wearing grey with black can make you feel any better about black rutting. To me, grey is just black lite!

September 3, 2009 at 8:42 am

Mary Rachel

(website)

i’m all black, too. i have added a bit of white and during the summer, after reading this blog, have included color. still, i totally LOVE the Gothic porcelain doll look with a touch of Manga (Japanese comic) and Anime (Japanese animation) influence. i am lucky to be an artist….

i WILL take some pictures and post them to the forum….i could use some help moving out and around my mourning guise….

September 3, 2009 at 8:50 am

Steffie

Yes, I wear a lot of black. It’s my best ‘color’ and is very flattering on me. I am adding more color- I enjoy pink and red as well. Sweet pea tops and Boden clothing have gone a long way to making my wardrobe more colorful and fun. But if I want to look my best, black it is!

September 3, 2009 at 8:54 am

Rhonda

As I walked through Sax the other day, I saw lots of color, especially a beautiful, deep berry color. I loved it! Hopefully, other stores will follow their lead so there’s more of a choice.

September 3, 2009 at 9:15 am

rute

love black! And I use to wear a lot until last year, I’m older and I think it ages a lot.

September 3, 2009 at 9:16 am

San

I have never been the one to choose black from a pile of shirts of different colors. I always choose a pretty color, however, for the most part have not chosen the best colors for my skin tone because of pure ignorance.
It looks like black is part of the 80’s revival because I remember alot of black clothing on people back then. My daughter and my best friend have been accused by others and themselves, of wearing too much black. Now let me clarify that I think people who black rut are the ones who wear it well. Why wouldn’t you want to wear it all the time if it looks good on you and makes you look radiant?
Angie, your hair color and skin tone look great against the black in your jacket. It’s like framing a picture to enhance it. My daughter has dark hair with reddish highlights and my best friend has beautiful blonde hair, they too look beautiful framed in black. I look mousey in it so I love dark blue, or other neutrals. I really do not know which one is my best one yet, but I know black is too harsh for me in large doses.
P.S. I love these outfits you have posted and it makes me even crazier about skinny jeans and leggings. It seems that finally tops are coming out to go with the skinny bottoms. They seemed to lag behind last year when we were looking for tunics.

September 3, 2009 at 9:23 am

Sal

(website)

Yes, yes, YES! Black can be so overdone and so very dull. It’s definitely a staple of my cold weather wardrobe, but I don’t think I’ve ever worn it head-to-toe. I try to balance it out with texture and color.

September 3, 2009 at 9:28 am

SewingLibrarian

I used to wear a lot of black until I moved to the suburbs in southern California. Now it doesn’t look right to me, somehow. Must be all the sun we get. I’m sewing a black dress for fall right now, but I’ll wear it with a cardigan or jacket in another color a la Mrs Obama.

September 3, 2009 at 9:29 am

Jeune

I look awful in black, so dark chocolate brown is my “black”.

September 3, 2009 at 9:30 am

Ana

I definitely don’t think I overdo black. I might actually do well to wear slightly more of it.

September 3, 2009 at 9:38 am

malcontent

I can wear black because I have strong coloring (dark hair, fair skin, blue eyes) and a youthful face but I still try not to overdo it. I still look prettier in teal or cobalt or red than in black, and I think an overdose of black looks unimaginative anyway. So, while I wear black, I always try to leaven it with other colors, and I choose against black accessories much of the time.

September 3, 2009 at 9:53 am

Marcia

I do have a lot a black in my wardrobe. It is sliimming especially for us girls that have a badonk a donk. (sp?) But I always try to wear with a splash of color. Today I have on a pin stipe skirt a mainstay of mine, a raspberry top with ruffles and a black sweater with lantern sleeves. One of my friends turned me onto to this website. It is a lot of fun!

September 3, 2009 at 10:01 am

Maya

I wear black items frequently, but not more than one at a time. I think it’s fine since I am a) in a geographic location where it’s very normal to see lots of black, b) I look good in black, and c) you can hardly make the argument that I’m just using black out of fear of color or to look slimmer or whatever other excuses people give for wearing too much black.

Out of the above examples, the only one I would wear would be the first one and even then I would have to jazz it up with accessories. The rest are nice outfits, since it isn’t a flat black and there is lots of texture and variation between the blacks, but it’s still just too dark for me. It works on these light-haired models, but would look overwhelming on me.

September 3, 2009 at 10:13 am

PalmFronds

I used to wear alot more black when I was younger, in my late teens and early twenties especially. I think that was my way of looking sophisticated. But over the past few years I have gravitated to browns,navy and grey. Love them much more, much softer.

September 3, 2009 at 10:19 am

LegacyOfPearl

(website)

I loved black and used to wear it a lot. Since a year or two, I’m more interested in wearing colors. I don’t know why it changed. Maybe it was not in fashion. I don’t mind the all-black style if the tones of the blacks match and accessories are right. It is an option I choose when I have to give keynotes that are not filmed. I often see all-black outfits combining all kinds of blacks and makes me wonder if some eyes can’t distinguish the differences between different shades of black… I also think that what color family to match a black piece depends a lot on the shade of black.

September 3, 2009 at 10:21 am

Melody

Hmmm … I really don’t wear black very often and only have a few solid black pieces. I have lots of other neutrals … navy (my fave), gray, brown, & tan and add reds, dark pinks, & purples for shots of color.

I do love the last outfit. Next week I get to go on my annual fall shopping bonanza and might add some black to my wardrobe.

September 3, 2009 at 10:30 am

cciele

I also wore a lot of black when I was younger and also when I moved to the East Coast. Then I moved back to California, where you don’t see so much black (unless you’re a gothy teenager). I’ve moved more toward charcoals and navy for a dark neutral. However, when I do wear black I think, “Hm, I still look good in black; I should wear it more often!”

September 3, 2009 at 10:35 am

Patience

I like black, and last fall I went through a black phase where I wanted to buy a lot of black stuff. But wearing head to toe black is just not me. I don’t really wear it in summer very often at all. Black dresses are always the toughest for me, particularly in fall when they’re paired with boots. Up till this year my couple pairs of knee boots were both black.

This year I don’t think I’m inclined to cover my pregnant body with a ton of black but maternity clothes are most often found in basic neutrals. I did just score a cheap pair of black maternity jeans which I’m ecstatic about and I bought a black maternity turtleneck that I can’t wait to wear.

The pictures are gorgeous but they are so very black.

September 3, 2009 at 11:20 am

Taylor

(website)

I love black…,but don’t often wear it head to toe. I always have a splash of color somewhere….even if it’s my shoes, a scarf, or handbag.

September 3, 2009 at 11:24 am

Sarah

My wardrobe has a lot of color variety. So nope, I don’t wear too much black. I do find myself gravitating towards black this fall though, so I’m glad it’s everywhere. But I still don’t plan on wearing all black every day or anything.

September 3, 2009 at 11:54 am

Loulou

Think i’m the odd one out! I can nearly count the number of black items i have on 1 hand!

September 3, 2009 at 12:30 pm

Tatjana

Black is my “safe” color. I rarely wear it in the summer (Israeli sun will just bake you), but in the winter it’s always welcome. I noticed that the same black item might look flattering on me or not – depending on weather, light, mood, good\bad hair day and complexion – go figure!

September 3, 2009 at 12:34 pm

gina

(website)

I don’t wear a lot of black, and almost never head-to-toe black. I like the look on others, but when I wear it, I feel either too cosume-y or too bland. My favorite neutrals are brown and grey, and I like them with hefty doses of color.

September 3, 2009 at 12:44 pm

simba2737

I can also count the number of black things I own on one hand: 5. One 3/4 sleeved knit, a sweater dress, a wool coat, and two short-sleeved knits. I think black looks nice on other people but tends to wash me out. I like it better if I have a little color, being that I have very fair skin and that sort of blah dark blonde/light brown hair color. I gravitate towards blues and grays as my neutrals.

September 3, 2009 at 12:48 pm

Joey

Yes, yes and more yes! I love black. It’s bold, dramatic and versatile. I’ve worn it head to toe many times. I don’t think I can say that about ANY other color. I have more items in black than any other single color….but Angie and the last few seasons did get me to expand. My closet now looks like a rainbow. I’m actually excited to hear that black is back. We have had several very colorful seasons–I’m ready for the change. Bring on the black!

September 3, 2009 at 12:54 pm

bella

I love black! One of the problems with black is that the color easily fades so the clothes look old and worn quickly, especially with cheaper items. So I think even though low quality items look better in black, they also don’t last long. – something to think about.

September 3, 2009 at 1:08 pm

Susan D

Black used to be my “go to color” .

Pre YLF, I didn’t even have any pants that WEREN’T black! Now I barely wear black at all. I am much happier if I have on sunny, bright colors…they seem to lift my mood a bit and fit my personality more than black. Oh, I will still wear it, but in small amounts.

Susan D

September 3, 2009 at 2:01 pm

GoXtina

I will wear black with a pop of color this fall. I got the idea from Kate Spade collection. I remembered back in the early 00’s, I always wear black and I wasn’t even a gothic back then.

September 3, 2009 at 2:07 pm

yublocka

(website)

Ten years ago I wore lots of black and wouldn’t think twice about wearing it head to toe. I think it was Trinny and Susannah who inspired me to consciously choose colour over black. Consequently I now wear *a lot* of colour. Even so I still have enough black pieces that I can wear it head to toe as well. I still like the look, and do so occasionally!!

September 3, 2009 at 2:57 pm

kari

Hmm. I don’t wear too much black, and for years I thought I *couldn’t* wear it at all because I am pale. However, I’m starting to think that because my hair is (currently) red – and a warmer red than it appears in pictures – black *can* work well on me because my hair automatically warms up my complexion by acting as a “bright.”

However, I rarely wear ALL black. I like to pair it with a color that I know is flattering to me, like a jewel tone of blue, purple, green, or fuschia. I guess this way I’m covering my bases.

September 3, 2009 at 3:53 pm

Ingrid

I don’t wear black near my face as it doesn’t suit me. When I was in my twenties I had the occasional black top in my wardrobe and wore a lot of black when out clubbing etc but now I avoid it. I have a couple of black pairs of pants but apart from that I wear chocolate/burgundy/olive as these colours suit me a lot more having warm tones to my skin.
I actually get sick of the whole black dress code in winter, I find it boring how many people “cop out” and just wear black. It gets depressing enough in cold weather! Strangely enough black is “in” this spring in Australia, which is odd as it is the wrong time of year. I wonder if the shops/designers are copying the northern hemisphere trends.
One of my friends who lives in Melbourne recently told me she suddenly found herself very depressed when surveying her wardrobe as she realised she had nothing but black and rushed out and bought some colourful blouses!!

September 3, 2009 at 3:57 pm

missjulied

I don’t wear that much black, but I LOVE that Vince leather jacket in your example!

September 3, 2009 at 4:27 pm

Kyle

(website)

I love black. It’s my favorite color! I wear it less than I once did, but I can comfortably wear it head to toe, for better or worse. Those outfits you showed are divine.

September 3, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Stephanie

I’ve been trying to wean myself from black most of my life and this year I’ve sort of succeeded, but then you had to post that gorgeous Nanette Lepore coat! *swoon* So beautiful.

I have a black pants problem I’m trying to deal with. We’ll see how things go this year..

September 3, 2009 at 8:10 pm

Cricket

Your tip to pair black with white or cream inspires me. My contrast between hair and skin is high, and I think the contrast of black and white suits me. I’m looking forward to wearing it this winter.

September 3, 2009 at 8:57 pm

Kristen

I’m like San, I pull a colored top from the pile before I pull a black one. That said, I tend to have a lot of black bottoms instead of other neutrals, which I’m trying to avoid now. I do like to have a couple of black tops for a high-contrast day or when it just sometimes is the perfect layering piece in an outfit, but the reality is I don’t seem to wear those tops that often. I like the way I look in them, but they’re just not first or even second choice. It feels like a cop-out when I do end up in black.

Hmmm, I think I am wear black today, on purpose. I do like a strong black top from time to time, and now you’ve inspired me!

September 4, 2009 at 3:40 am

Posh Swaps Clothes Swaps

(website)

Black is one of my favourite colours to wear as it is slimming and easy to co ordinate but it can also be quite a draining colour. I put a little extra blusher or some bronzer on to compensate if I am wearing all black.

September 4, 2009 at 4:07 am

Christine

I’m a long time black hater, believe it or not. I am a very fair redhead and at an age which precludes black looking good on me. I do have a few black pieces. In fact, I just bought a pair of trousers, a drinks party dress and a jacket. However, I’m nervous about actually wearing them. I’ll need to experiment with colours to see if I can make black work.

I do have a gorgeous black winter coat. In any other colour it wouldn’t work. I wear a scarf to counteract the death pallor I get wearing it.

September 4, 2009 at 6:18 am

Rebecca

No one has mentioned how essential black can be to assembling a capsule wardrobe for travel. I like the new fabrics which combine a bit of sparkle in the weave — a shirt, scarf or jacket with this can really lift the black look, especially for older women like me. I find bright colors with black very harsh for my coloring — in fact, I don’t like that combination on anyone! I like softer, more “off” colors, such as the olive or bronze shades someone else mentioned.

September 4, 2009 at 7:07 am

All Women Stalker

(website)

Those are chic. I love the shoulder detailing this season.

-meream

September 4, 2009 at 10:11 am

jacquie

Myself being a classic summer I look dead not in cute gothy kind of way either. About the darkest I go is charcoal.

September 4, 2009 at 5:12 pm

ImogenL

(website)

Active Member

Here in Melbourne black is always the new black – it never goes away, and tends to be favoured by everyone – which is sad that so many are missing out on colour in their lives. I spend a lot of time doing black aversion therapy so people can see that colours often lift them way more than black which is the very easy and safe option.

September 6, 2009 at 3:29 pm

mamark

I wear a lot of black. It may be an urban thing. It feels correct here, out of place when I visit my family in the sticks. I’m not going to stop wearing it, ever, but I’m trying to wear less of it near my face as I age. That’s tricky because I think most colors look best with other colors, not black.

September 7, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Misha

I have to admit, I LOVE the cutaway coat/frock in the first picture. It’s just gorgeous and I think it’s very classy. However, I am not looking forward to the return of the 90s for one reason, and it shows up in some of those pictures: the ‘heroin-chic’ that models of the era plastered all over everywhere was really disturbing and I believe it was detrimental to people of all sizes everywhere. I really hope *those* don’t make a comeback too!

September 10, 2009 at 4:11 am

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