https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 30 May 2026 02:52:58 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692463 Mon, 13 Aug 2012 04:09:49 +0000 DonnaF 692463@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to have a lot of flat (vs. deep) black. After I made the decision to stop coloring my hair, I have made an effort to transition to more charcoal or black &amp; white or black &amp; cream and to stop buying all black items entirely other than maybe pants and jeans. Black next to my face doesn't look all that great any more. No LBD for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692131 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 19:24:35 +0000 Mama Susie 692131@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a huge fan of black as a neutral... on others. For instance, I love the Emannuelle Alt photos Cocolion posted above and of course Carine Roitfield is another one who looks fantastic in her mostly black wardrobe. I think I look okay in this color but for the most part I think I look better in browns and other earth tones. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692071 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:55:50 +0000 Anonymous 692071@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>And blondes in all black is soooo fab! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692069 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:55:19 +0000 Anonymous 692069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think I'll ever be able to eliminate black from my wardrobe. It is part of my signature style. don't necessarily think black and a bright color is dull either. The only thing you need to do is to add a third neutral, cream, white, taupe, denim to break the high contrast. </p> <p>Can you remove black all together from your wardrobe? Absolutely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692046 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 17:21:09 +0000 Anonymous 692046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LBD with a chunky strand of pearls and diamond studs....perfection!<br /> Me too on the turtlenecks, Shiny! It's too bad because otherwise I love a black turtleneck for fall and winter - they are so chic on the right body - just not mine </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692021 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:55:58 +0000 shiny 692021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I own a lot of black. Most of my blazers, I confess, are black. I have several black dresses. In the winter I practically live in black ponte knit skinnies (so comfy!). And I have several black blouses too. Black is a staple in Boston, it is quite practical around here in the winter. As I've aged it hasn't been the most forgiving neutral to wear near my face, but I learned quite a few tricks from Angie, including:</p> <p>- Incorporating white or cream, particularly near my face. My go-to strategy is PEARLS. </p> <p>- Black tops have to have a scoop or v-neck to show some skin near my face, a place for chunky pearls to rest, or a scarf. No black turtlenecks for me. That is my worse look ever. </p> <p>- Incorporating TEXTURES. Black leather, black velvet, black tweed, black cashmere, black silk, shiny black patent... all are luscious. Knits tend to be dull. I do have some black knits too; foundational type pieces. When I wear those, I add texture elsewhere, like black knit dress with long strand of pearls and microfishnets. </p> <p>- Stay away from black shoes, in general. I do have some, but I limit the amount and will choose something other than black; if I buy black shoes, they have to have shine or texture -- no dull leather. But wearing something other than black on my feet adds interest. If I am wearing black pants, I definitely do NOT wear black shoes or boots. If I'm wearing a black jacket, I will wear brown or wine boots or brights or metallics or animal print instead. It just looks more interesting to my eye. </p> <p>- Likewise I only own one black bag, the one I am most apt to use for work because it holds a lot. But I try not to use it if I'm wearing all black or a black dress or black jacket. In that case I much prefer the look of a white or cream bag. </p> <p>- No black coats. This was particularly difficult, I admit. Black coats are quite practical here in winter months. But I do feel way too somber in a black wool coat. I much prefer my cheery cobalt coat, or houndstooth or cream trench, or white pleather jacket ... especially over black!</p> <p>- I do on occasion crave and wear the "all black" outfit. Well, I guess it's mostly black. For example, I might wear a silk black top with tweed or velvet black blazer; and black ponte knit pants. I will then add a long string of pearls, cream clutch, and my giraffe print pumps. </p> <p>- I almost always mix-and-match my black suiting options. The only time I'm likely to wear a black suit is for a job interview, or a funeral. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692013 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:26:11 +0000 MsMary 692013@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to wear mostly black all the time. Hard to believe now! But I still have a lot of basic black pieces and I see no reason to give it up entirely. I have learned not to wear it right next to my face, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-692008 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:14:32 +0000 cheryl 692008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love black and it is my main neutral. I just have never felt much love for browns and having to wear khaki pants for work didn't help at all. So definitely black will always be a part of my wardrobe. I'm loving charcoal grey as well lately. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-691630 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 01:39:18 +0000 Echo 691630@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The fact is that black is never going to go away. It is always in stores and it is always popular. If it weren't so universal, there wouldn't be expressions like, "____ is the new black." But simply put, there will never be a "new black" because black works for so many people.</p> <p>However, I absolutely agree that it isn't everyone's best neutral. Many people would be well-advised to seek a more flattering neutral to base their wardrobe off of, and if you feel that black doesn't work for you then more power to you in eliminating it. It definitely takes more creativity to not wear black, IMO. </p> <p>But I am a die-hard fan. Frankly, it doesn't matter whether it flatters me or not (I think it does, but I am biased); black provides such an appealing contrast for so many outfits that I could never live without it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-691590 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 01:16:29 +0000 Anonymous 691590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love me some black! One of my signature styles is black and white with pops of red... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-691565 Sun, 12 Aug 2012 00:59:39 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 691565@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to be away so long and not reply - I really enjoyed reading everyone's responses. This is an idea that I am really drawn to right now. I used to be very particular about what colors I would wear together and I'm getting freer about it all. I think all black or all neutrals is a particular look, but wearing black with other colors is so often the default it isn't that interesting. </p> <p>I remember Trinny and Susannah when they were in the media w/ WNTW a lot would say that black with brights just looks boring - choosing color combinations more carefully can be more interesting and subtle. </p> <p>Black isn't particularly flattering to my coloring, I don't think, so I like the idea of relying on a different neutral or two, like gray or brown. Of course, then you've got the shoe problem, and the problem of matching different shades of the same neutral which doesn't happen as much as black.</p> <p>I think what opened me up to this is jeans and denim - after all, there's no official reason why denim blue should be a neutral, really, as far as color goes but because we all wear jeans with everything these days our eyes have gotten used to it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-685091 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:12:41 +0000 catgirl 685091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That is not going to happen for me. I think black suits my style and coloring, though it is my easy out, and I tend to wear it when I'm lazy. I have eliminated most of the brown from my closet, though! I still love seeing other color palettes even if I can't wear them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-685086 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 21:08:56 +0000 biscuitsmom 685086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I havent worn black in a couple yrs and really dont miss it. With my coloring (red/slightly grey hair and green eyes) it's quite harsh on me </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-685072 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:56:10 +0000 qfbrenda 685072@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in the "You'll have to pull black out of my cold dead hands" group. I love black, it looks good on me, and I have no plans to eliminate it any day soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely/page/2#post-685069 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 20:52:49 +0000 Laura 685069@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I try not to get defensive when people say black is boring because I'm one of those people who loves black and wears it on an almost daily basis. I've learned to incorporate some white, layers, and texture to keep it interesting.</p> <p>I go through periods where I think I should cut back and incorporate more colors (I'm going through that right now), but I have come to terms that I just simply ADORE black and it's part of my core style. I feel like myself in black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-685025 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 19:57:50 +0000 Jem 685025@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to wear mostly black. I used to say that my favorite color was black! I've since figured out that black is too harsh for my coloring. It's easier to wear if your features have higher contrast. I have two children with very dark hair that look great in black. </p> <p>Funny thing is that I pretty much quit wearing blue because it didn't go with black easily, but now I've mostly stopped wearing black, I have a lot of blue which was always one of my favorite colors. Wearing black actually had me stop wearing colors that were good for me and that I loved. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-685000 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 19:40:50 +0000 Jamie 685000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a lot less black these days (thanks to Angie!), but I will never totally eliminate it. I really do enjoy it more now that I use it in a support role. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684974 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 19:13:11 +0000 Krista 684974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear so much black in the fall/winter months, that I've made it a personal policy to wear it as little as possible in the spring and summer. I can wear black quite well, but I just find it too harsh in the summertime. Black is definitely a staple of my wardrobe, but I feel an inherent need to explore neutrals like navy and chocolate brown in the summer instead. Perhaps it's a Canadian thing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684958 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 18:28:36 +0000 shoppingisfun 684958@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black used to be pretty much all I wore but I've eliminated a lot of it. Not entirely; I have black jeans,black blazer, and a couple of black cardigans. I wear black tee shirts to the gym or around the house though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684945 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 17:29:40 +0000 Abie 684945@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not for me, I think its a good neutral for me. It bookends my hair and brows. I think I throw in enough color, and other neutrals like navy and grey to keep it from being drab. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684938 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 17:15:42 +0000 Anonymous 684938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, the chocolate and navy you mentioned sound lovely. I think either of them would look really good on you!</p> <p>I have had a love/hate relationship with black. The serviceable, boring, default black items I've had in my wardrobe got no love on YLF. They kept surviving each cull because I might *need* them. Since we were overrun with black in the 90's and beyond, and everything in every price point came in black, there's a lot of bad black out there in the thrift stores. You know, faded black, cheap material black, bad cut black, busboy black. This kind of black I want to avoid. I nearly had all black clothing culled from my closet this year (at one point I only had a lone black corduroy blazer) but then something happened and I changed my mind. </p> <p>I will still probably not dress all in black, but I love white, and I see prints combining the two that I adore. Sometimes I think my coloring is changing enough to handle small doses of it. So I don't want to phase it out completely anymore. I'll make room for a little *chic* black. Just not the *I give up* black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684897 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 15:10:45 +0000 sarah 684897@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have definitely removed a lot of black from my wardrobe since discovering YLF, but mostly that's because I find it very hard with my complexion not to be overwhelmed by black. Also, with blonde hair, wearing black shoes has become very difficult, because they make me appear bottom heavy. But with your darker hair, I'd think you could take or leave black as you please! Enjoy having options : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684891 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 15:04:19 +0000 L'Abeille 684891@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'll be clutching my blacks in my cold dead hands!</p> <p> I wore all earth tones in the 70's (as we all did, along with our jeans), with brown as my neutral, even though it made my brown hair look greenish and I looked better in faded denim with white! Then Colour me Beautiful came out, and I realized I was a Winter. Even then, I avoided black thinking it would be too harsh, until the 90's when it was everywhere.</p> <p> And now I won't be parted from it. It flatters me like nothing else. Black, worn next to my face, with no make-up and a night of no sleep, still makes me look alive. I can wear grey or navy as neutrals, but need to add brightness near my face if do.</p> <p> I won't wear all black unrelieved, unless singing in a choir, because I'm not a goth. I add a bit of red or white usually for contrast. But I'll never let it go.</p> <p> I read a while back (Nora Ephron maybe?) that black-as-chic only became possible since the widespread use of hair dye, otherwise the effect would be "aging peasant widow" (and I can still see that in my mind's eye). But for me, the more salt I have mixed in with the pepper, I find that mid tones bring out a muddy grey whereas black brings out chic light streaks contrasting with the dark. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684886 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:59:40 +0000 Angie 684886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh! I never answered your question in my first comment. Here it goes. </p> <p>Although I am very careful with black, I will ALWAYS have black in my wardrobe because wearing it with white and cream is part of my signature look. Plus, a form fitting black turtleneck is one of Greg's favourite things that I wear. I could never take this favourite away from my sweetie </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684879 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:50:27 +0000 JR 684879@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh no, black will stay for me, especially for skirts and pants. Having said that, I also like grey and brown, so black is not an automatic default. In the last couple of years, I have started making a point of having an entire capsule in brown and tan. And grey is working its way in ever more, since it harmonizes so well with my hair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684869 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:25:57 +0000 Parsley 684869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There is no way I'll ever eliminate black from my wardrobe- I've only recently made progress in not wearing nothing but black all the time! Seriously, when I first came to YLF my closet contained NOTHING but black and charcoal gray, with only accessories and scarves in other colors.</p> <p>I've been having fun adding some color to my wardrobe, but I still own more black than anything else. I feel like black looks good on me, although maybe that will be changing as I age. I know that sometimes black is too harsh against an older face.</p> <p>But black is just so practical! It goes with everything, there's not usually any issue in matching shades the way there is with navy or brown, and I look really terrible in beige or tan, so those aren't an option as neutrals for me. I love black for travel, too, and I like that it doesn't show dirt.</p> <p>Just for fun, though, I like to challenge myself to go a whole week without wearing black from time to time. I can almost succeed in the summer, with white as my base neutral, but I'm afraid that in winter I haven't succeeded yet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684864 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:18:58 +0000 Angie 684864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, I am with you 100%. I spend a lot of time trying to encourage clients who wear a lot of black, and black is not the best colour on them, to go for something else. And black from head to toe is an extremely hard look to pull off. </p> <p>That said, I do believe that black can look AMAZING. When worn in the right way, quantities, items, support act and on the right complexion - it cannot be beat. ESPECIALLY when matched with white and cream. The thing is, black is not a default fab colour on everyone - quite the opposite. A tone of white is much more universally flattering. </p> <p>Black is a very powerful colour, and we must be weary of it's power. It can look extremely drab, lifeless and unflattering if we do not take control of the situation.</p> <p>Laura, remember that black can be worn as a trim too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684856 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:01:53 +0000 Suz 684856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Laura, brown and greys would look wonderful on you, so go for it! </p> <p>As for me, I have tried to eliminate or at least sharply reduce black...to no avail! I keep going back to it. </p> <p>It's not at all my most flattering neutral, especially as I age. Navy, ink, or charcoal are better for me. But I can't find the pieces I need in those colours as a rule, and SOME blacks (those with a blue tinge or really true blacks) work well, even near my face, as long as I am well-rested or if I "cut" them with another colour, e.g. a tank top or scarf or even jewelry. So black is staying in my wardrobe for now. Not as my default, but as my "statement." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684855 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 14:01:53 +0000 Traci 684855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black was my default for many years. Then I realized that I had lots of boring black and I flipped the switch the other way. No more black for a few years. Now I'm trying to find a balance; how to use black just like any other color. I've avoided black purses for more than 5 years, but now I'm on the look out for my perfect black bag.</p> <p>Similarly, just this year I've reintroduced myself to shades of white. I don't think I've bought a white piece of clothing since my oldest daughter, now 14, was a toddler. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/eliminating-black-entirely#post-684835 Sat, 04 Aug 2012 13:26:52 +0000 Diana 684835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love black, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. It is my favorite and most flattering neutral by far. I have dark hair, and I strongly prefer high contrast colors but I hate chocolate brown, so that leaves black. </p> <p>So... the short answer to your original question is : No, never going to happen. =P </p>