https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:11:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378900 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 15:30:06 +0000 nuancedream 2378900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a very limited amount of black in my wardrobe. Items that are worn on the lower half of my body or footwear. Black is just too harsh as a solid next to my face. I've never owned a black handbag nor will I wear black outerwear. A little black dress has never been an essential wardrobe item for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378898 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 08:46:20 +0000 Val 2378898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think black suits me, and I like it, especially in different textures - shiny satin duchesse or fluffy mohair etc. The only problem I have with it is I don’t know how to pair it well with other colors. I wear it with other neutrals, especially light ones - white, stone, light gray, light beige, but cannot do anything interesting in combining it with brights or pastels. I had an idea to just eliminate it from my wardrobe completely, but recently decided it’s too bad to refuse myself a color that is one of my dark basics and easy to shop for. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378886 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 01:15:12 +0000 Kate 2378886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Before my hair turned silver gilt I was blonde with warm coloring, and my closet was full of black across all wardrobe categories.</p> <p>I loved black and it looked good on me.</p> <p>As my blonde turned silver and my complexion paled, black up around my face made me look sickly. Over about a five-year period, I got rid of my black tops as well as the couple of dresses I had, and most of my black coats, keeping only one wool cape with a faux fur collar, and a vintage cashmere cardigan lined with white lace overlaid with black silk, and topped with a white fox fur collar. I just couldn’t bring myself to get rid of it. It’s a 50s era piece that I bought in 1985.</p> <p>I had mainly black jeans and black trousers. I happily continued to wear them and black shoes and bags.</p> <p>I still wear black jeans, trousers, and one skirt, and have a selection of black footwear and 3 bags. However, I have jeans, trousers, and skirts in a wide range of neutrals along with footwear and bags. My coats and scarves are in a similar range of my favorite neutrals + orange.</p> <p>The only time I wear a black top is when there is plenty of skin showing, usually bare arms. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378885 Tue, 21 Jan 2025 00:57:34 +0000 Irina 2378885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Evie,&nbsp;</b>I realized that I don’t like soft black next to my face. Jeans are ok but I sold my soft black trench, was not enjoying it. I agree, soft black looks somewhat dull.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378883 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 22:17:20 +0000 Evie 2378883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always loved to wear black. For me, it feels a bit edgy and I love the crisp contrast it offers to whites, off whites, light washed denim, etc. I’m sure it takes up 50% of my closet real estate. I just turned 60, have fair skin, blue eyes, and fairly dark hair (with the help of colour). What I have noticed over the past year or so, is that I am gravitating more towards black pieces with a bit of sheen or shine to them these days. This has not been intentional. It has evolved organically. For example, I reach for blazers, bombers, jackets or coats that are made out of faux leather or have fabric finishes that are silkier, shinier, and smoother…finishes that reflect light possibly? Not sure if that makes sense. I don’t feel as vibrant or myself in duller, softer black finishes. I never really recognized this until I read your post. I think I will always love black in my wardrobe. It may just change a bit how I incorporate it. I have been incorporating more dark cool browns this year…which is a surprise to me. I am quite enjoying it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378878 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:45:20 +0000 Helena 2378878@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am chuckling at the uniform colour trauma ... it look me a long time to recover from my navy blue and light blue kilt, sweater and blazer situation!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378877 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 20:17:03 +0000 karen23 2378877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Team black.&nbsp; Navy reminds me of police and security-guard uniforms and the dismal '90s Dress For Success navy-blue job interview and office worker skirt suits that gave me the shape of a refrigerator with feet.&nbsp; I have some dark blue in my wardrobe, but it's more like bright navy or indigo.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also prefer black if I am getting dark colored accessories.&nbsp; Black shoes seem to look OK with a navy blue print dress, but navy blue shoes don't work with black.&nbsp; And it is hard to find shoes that fit me, but I can usually get them in black.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beige also can be a problem, now that my hair has more white in it.&nbsp; It was a sort of OK color to me, but now sometimes I feel like I am in danger of fading out.&nbsp; Camel, however, is starting to almost work.</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378875 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 18:50:57 +0000 Jenni NZ 2378875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I still like black a lot. In my twenties when I *decided* that I was a “Spring” colouring I might have steered away from it for a while as not being overly flattering, which also might explain why I didn’t own a Little Black Dress until my late forties. However I found the LBD really useful, as are black dress pants, and a couple of black tops. I love black and white patterns also. I would hate now to be without my black options.<br /> I also notice that I get more comments and compliments on my brighter clothes, but then some days I just feel like I don’t want any comments today so I put on something plainer, often including some black. And I think with my silver hair now it looks better than it used to, maybe.<br /> Black is a good base for bright prints, as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378874 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 18:13:59 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 2378874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like black and have come to accept it as an essential neutral for me. I put it that way, because I think it's probably not my best neutral. (Although come to think of it, I'm not sure what my best one is. Perhaps dark olive.) I also wear navy, but often I prefer black, maybe not for flattery with my coloring but more for the visual weight it brings to an outfit, which can reflect edge, sophistication, sombreness, among other vibes. I don't like wearing black alone, but generally pair it with muted colors so it doesn't create too much contrast, which can overwhelm my coloring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe/page/2#post-2378873 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 17:50:29 +0000 Angie 2378873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>SW Ann,&nbsp;</b>like&nbsp;<b>Irina,</b> negative associations with colours make perfect sense to me too! Not odd at all. I wore a grey school uniform in primary school, and a brown school uniform in secondary school. Both neutrals are problematic.&nbsp;</p> <p>Grey is still a "no thank you" - although I love grey on those who wear it well! (I don't, for that matter).&nbsp;</p> <p>It took me 40 years to recover from wearing brown - which I do now, in small doses, and ONLY in patterns :)</p> <p>&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378871 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 17:02:40 +0000 Bonnie 2378871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My numerous black wardrobe items are really useful for supporting the rest of my wardrobe which is a rainbow of colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378861 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:46:22 +0000 Star (Lise) 2378861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love black and it works with my colouring.&nbsp; Only on bright summer days it feels too heavy.&nbsp; Black boots and sandals plus a bag are essentials in my closet probably. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378859 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:31:41 +0000 RobinF 2378859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always have black in my wardrobe. I much prefer it over navy as my dark neutral and it is easy to find. However, I don't usually wear it by itself unless it is a dress. And, like Sal said, I prefer it with other neutrals over brights.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378849 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 04:13:20 +0000 MsMaven 2378849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like black and have always had black separates and dresses. My only dress now is a black dress.&nbsp;</p> <p>I was self-conscious about wearing it in my 20s. Black was for sophisticated older women. I don't remember when I changed my mind.&nbsp;</p> <p>My biggest problem with black now is my fine, silvery hair--at least it looks silvery when it sticks to my black sweaters or pants. I have to keep an eye out for it. I decided I should just buy slippery black tops so the hairs will just gracefully slide off, but haven't done much about it yet.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378841 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 01:53:55 +0000 Jaime 2378841@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I was younger I wore lots of black all the time. My hair was nearly black but the last thing I was thinking about was color theory . I still wear lots of black jeans, shoes, jackets and some tops. But I am aware that it is far from the best color on me - I have a very shadowy face and it brings out the shadows. Navy blue is much better on me - even I can see the difference right away (I am not always good about judging color on myself). But I am not giving up black in the foreseeable future. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378837 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 01:06:12 +0000 Irina 2378837@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>SW Ann</b>, not odd, believe me. We all have personal connections with colors. For me, it’s brown, a color of my itchy wool school dress, which I had to wear 5 days a week fall-winter seasons. I also had to wear a black apron over it like all school girls in USSR.&nbsp;<br /><div>Brown looks good on me but I’ve avoided it for years and still have uneasy feelings about.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378836 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:34:52 +0000 SW Ann 2378836@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am about to be 69 years old and I wear black and no navy.&nbsp; Navy has been off limits to me since I lost a bunch of weight in the 80s, and finally had a choice.&nbsp; I do wear it with color, seldom all black.&nbsp; Navy, for me, harkens me back in a bad way to school uniforms and being quite overweight.&nbsp; That is very personal to me, and like the way other people look in navy, but it makes me feel awful when I put it on.&nbsp; I know, that may seem odd to others, but I know that for myself. I will wear denim, slate, bright blues, and light blue--no NAVY! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378835 Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:28:41 +0000 Sal 2378835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a fair amount of black - I like it for work mostly and I also like it in the summer. I don’t think it is my best colour but neither is it my worst.</p> <p>I do end up wearing active wear in black mostly for practical reasons. </p> <p>On me I like black with other neutrals - not with bright colours. I wear black and tan, black and cream, black and brown, a bit of blush. I like to wear my brights with navy or denim or white. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378833 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 23:39:30 +0000 Cookie 2378833@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No, certainly not all women who wear all black are trying to disappear. I did not mean any offense but it’s a vibe I get from certain people. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378832 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 23:35:29 +0000 Irina 2378832@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Cookie</b>, maybe not all women who wear all black trying to disappear? Certain age and weight? Not sure what you meant but<br />I honestly don’t understand the idea about any color making a wearer to appear slimmer or bigger. I personally wear all black, or all white or all navy because I like it.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378827 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 23:21:56 +0000 Cookie 2378827@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m averse to the idea of seeming like one of those women of a certain age and weight who wear all black in an effort to disappear. But I still have plenty of black clothes and no need to think of getting rid of them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378822 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 22:23:18 +0000 The Cat 2378822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ever since I was 20 and had brown hair, I have always had several black items in my wardrobe. Now I am in my late sixties, and my hair is silver grey.</p> <p>Decades ago, I sometimes wore all black, but I quickly realized that I found it either boring or sad and depressing on me. I prefer to combine black with one or two other colours, in particular near my face, in order to bring light and life to it. So, many years ago I decided to stop wearing solid black turtlenecks, scarves, hats, umbrellas, and other solid black items very near my face. </p> <p>I have a black round-neck dress, several black round-neck tops and a few black toppers. All these can easily be enlivened by necklaces or scarves containing white/silver/non-neutrals that provide the contrast I want.</p> <p>My black&amp;white (50/50) scarves as well as my stripey black&amp;grey (50/50) turtleneck pullover look fine against my face and add interest to outfits. By the way, yesterday I purchased a stripey black&amp;greige (50/50) turtleneck dress, which also looks and feels great.</p> <p>Of course, I also have black bottoms, footwear and bags. I find black to be a versatile colour, and black footwear always make me feel grounded. </p> <p>However, I prefer to combine 2 or 3 colours in every outfit and always wear a non-neutral item in my portrait area. This is a happy formula for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378820 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 22:10:53 +0000 kkards 2378820@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>As a woman who worked in the retail fashion industry in the late 80s into the mid 90s I wore a lot of black. It was &nbsp;available and well, fashionable. &nbsp;And I liked it, but my heart always belonged to navy, it was my preferred dark neutral but was difficult to find. &nbsp;As Angie mentioned it started to become more available about 13-15 years ago, so I began to replace my black neutrals with navy. But still had black in my wardrobe because it was still easier to find. &nbsp; thru the magic of on line shopping, it’s become easier and easier to get most things in navy and so it’s rare now that I buy anything in black. &nbsp;But I still have older pieces in black that I love. And I still buy the occasional piece, especially footwear in black. And since i no longer feel uncomfortable mixing navy and black that makes the black I still own work well for me.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378819 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 22:09:15 +0000 Brooklyn 2378819@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black is the most ubiquitous colour in my wardrobe. It’s not my best colour but it’s not my worst either. Dark blue looks worse on me and I don’t find it nearly as versatile. Dark brown and charcoal are better but don’t have the same drama. </p> <p>My issue with black is that I get bored with it and it can feel heavy in warm weather. Especially matte black. I prefer black patterned items and black textured items. In winter I wear black mesh tops that can be layered over red or gold for a bit more depth and patina. In summer I wear it with arms showing and metallic accents and/or lighter shoes to lighten the palette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378814 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 21:18:31 +0000 Helena 2378814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've gone through phases of trying to get away from black, but I'm over that now ... I love it and find it so versatile and useful that I will always welcome it in my closet, in particular at certain times of year. I do use navy and charcoal as well though. I can see these are technically better with my complexion but personally I am still of the opinion that pretty much everyone can wear black and look good. Maybe that's my 90s heart talking but my motto is, when in doubt choose black; it won't steer me far wrong. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378813 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 21:09:38 +0000 Suz 2378813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think black can look fantastic on older women! It looks especially great (to my eye) on many who have salt-and-pepper hair, or iron grey, or silver, or white hair. Or black hair, of course!&nbsp;</p> <p>I used to wear some black and even was told many times it suited me. It still looks okay on me, I think. Especially when I have a bit of a tan. It may emphasize my dark circles, but probably no more than ink blue does. </p> <p>However, I simply prefer blues for myself and I wanted to keep my dark neutrals limited. So over time, I have eliminated black for the most part. I still wear charcoal grey, though, and it is pretty close to black!&nbsp;</p> <p>I tire of seeing too much black on city streets. I love to see people dressed colourfully. That's pure selfishness, though. It's about my need for light and colour in winter. Not necessarily about what suits the wearer -- and when I see some fabbers or some women on the street in great outfits all in black, I am wowed.&nbsp;</p> <p>I do still have and wear black footwear. :)&nbsp; </p> <p>Below, my black and charcoal items.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378812 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 20:40:29 +0000 Janet 2378812@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve always worn black. It’s easy, versatile, readily available, and works with my aesthetic and still looks reasonably good with coloring, which is changing with age but still suits dark, cool neutrals. </p> <p>However, I’m trying not to lean too heavily on it. I’m wearing more grey and am more interested in charcoal these days as an alternative (although not seeing a lot of it around). I try to add some texture or interest to the black I wear on my top half to help “lift” the darkness a bit. But I’m still hugely reliant on black pants and shoes. I seriously doubt I’d ever give it up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378811 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 20:32:58 +0000 Roberta 2378811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn't wear black for a long time, because I felt it was too harsh and somber for my personality. Especially what I was trying to convey with what I wore. In the last couple years I've really come around to it, though. I think it looks cool on me for a change. I won't wear ALL black, but I love a black and white print, and I have a half dozen pairs of black pants and black sweaters. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378810 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 20:10:15 +0000 Irina 2378810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for all your responses. So interesting!<br />I do not judge who wears what. I find whys fascinating, though.&nbsp;<br />I absolutely agree that a color, even black has nothing to do with age - just personal preference.&nbsp;<div>Black is the backbone of my wardrobe and the most worn color, following by cream/white and navy. I might look better in navy but I like to wear both. It was not always so. When I tinted my light brown hair in chestnut shade, I didn’t like to wear black next to my face. My favorite colors at that time were deep purple and forest green. I had black “special occasion “ pieces and a black bag, one pair of black office pants.&nbsp;</div><div>I went grey 13 years ago. I like high contrast of black with my natural ashy brown and white hair. I find it is easier to wear a column of black even if there are shade variations than a column of navy.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/black-in-you-wardrobe#post-2378809 Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:48:12 +0000 cat2 2378809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Also Team Black. I have never liked navy, and just have a few navy pieces to wear out. </p>