https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 16:14:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214926 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:43:08 +0000 Mac 214926@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree with what many of you have stated.<br /> When I lived in NYC, light shades and colours showed the dirt more easily that dark gray and black, so I avoided them.<br /> Also, NYC closet space - and apartment space in general - is limited so a mostly-black wardrobe simplified things: black usually "goes with" black. And I also think when you don't have a lot of items, black can be fairly forgettable. I wore the same black blazer to work probably 2 days/ week for 2 years and I think if I'd worn the same, say, orange blazer, people would have noticed (not in a good way) that I was always wearing the same thing.<br /> And bj1111 - i agree with you 100% on often feeling overwhelmed by colour. Neutrals allow me to feel like I can breathe more easily than most colours. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214907 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 14:00:21 +0000 Queen Mum 214907@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Taylor- they think you're not from CA because you're not wearing flip flops The official shoe of the west coast! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214873 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:46:30 +0000 Gail 214873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Reading the replies I wonder if people associate black with "life in the city" rather than in different parts of the country. I think it is also interesting that black is used as a base for comparing other style colors "X is the new black" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214866 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:28:23 +0000 RoseandJoan 214866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have nothing constructive to add to this thread but just had to say that I love how cities have a stereotypical style persona! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214863 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:25:58 +0000 Laura 214863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like what annagybe said about black being urban armor. That's how it felt for me. I was always ready to face the day in NYC in head-to-toe black.</p> <p>For one: it's practical. NYC can be dirty - subways, sidewalks. Cream or white footwear ... ugh. I can imagine it would be dirty quickly. For two: living there as a young person with no money, less expensive clothing looks better in black. For three: it is a bit of a uniform, and it is safe, and it is always socially acceptable. Black in NYC just feels right. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214847 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 08:42:28 +0000 Scarlet 214847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To be fair I think Taylor can only be stereotyping Southern Californians And I am sorry but there is definitely a look. I have never seen so many boob jobs in my life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214843 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:44:08 +0000 Marley 214843@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey Taylor! Now you are stereotyping the Californians! Oh well - you're probably right! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214842 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:25:27 +0000 Jenava 214842@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, Boston is all in navy blue, though...LOL...(-:</p> <p>Maybe all the black is for wanting to be taken seriously. I always feel much more serious in all black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214768 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 02:43:27 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 214768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, we had fun, make no mistake. I adored living there and miss it very much.</p> <p>Also, remember this was 20 years ago! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214693 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 01:17:24 +0000 Maya 214693@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually think a lot of NJ residents wear lots of black too, but it seems less intentional--they're just black rutting. NJ is just more casual and more suburban, but there is a very strong influence from NY.</p> <p>Boston is quite a dark city too.</p> <p>NYC is home to plenty of scientists, techies, and hedge fund traders who wear black too. If artists truly owned NYC style, the people would actually be a lot more colorful. I went to two art schools and worked in an art gallery and a museum, so I think I can say this pretty authoritatively: Artists and art patrons wear far LESS black, not more.</p> <p>I never lived the angst ridden artist lifestyle, despite having the background for it. NYC is such a wonderful place that it just seemed like a terrible waste of time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214678 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 01:01:54 +0000 taylor 214678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can't tell you how many times people have asked me if I am from NY....uh ..no California . </p> <p>I am not sure if it is that I wear black so much, or I don't have blonde hair, blue eyes , fake boobs and a fake tan. :0 </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214668 Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:54:52 +0000 RandomThoughts (Andrea) 214668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black is versatile. Your black stuff goes with all your other black stuff. It's artsy, it's intellectual, and it's just what a lot of NYCers wear. A stereotype with a lot of basis in fact.</p> <p>When I lived there, I wore a lot of it. Sure, I had color too but black was my "go to" option. I stood out whenever I visited family in NJ, Florida or Texas. I was in art school, so of course I also fell into the angst ridden, suffering artist thing as well. We all smoked a lot, drank lots of (drip) coffee, ate very cheap items at Greek diners late at night and stole flat wear from restaurants to supplement our own. (Don't tell anyone!)</p> <p>NYC loves it's artists and I think that culture is fairly predominant as well as influential there. Contrast that to my current city, Seattle. We love our artists here too but we're much more earthy, crunchy, granola-y here with outdoor sports being more influential on the typical person's wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214610 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 22:11:58 +0000 annagybe 214610@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of black as urban armor. I lived in the Bronx for a year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214596 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:54:17 +0000 Anonymous 214596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm going to guess, based on a cousin who lives in NYC, that it might be that closet space being extremely limited in those apartments makes black popular. When I have to severely limit my wardrobe, as in travel, black is usually the best option that doesn't get tiring as fast as other colors, is less likely to show wrinkles and grime, looks more expensive, and lends itself to a myriad of accessory options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214551 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:54:59 +0000 Sparky 214551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My mom and I love to compare notes on how New Englanders dress (darker-hued colors and monochromatic outfits abound) vs Floridians (we tend to see lots of bold colors and designs). Whether it amounts to a stereotype or not, what you wear can say a lot about where you are from. Put my mom and me side by side and you can tell who is from where, for sure!</p> <p>I agree with Maya. Different cities or areas have their own flavor of style. That's not to say there's no variation at all, but certain themes do appear. Very fun to look at and try to figure out why! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214549 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 19:47:22 +0000 Maya 214549@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>NYers wear more black than the average person and that's just a fact, not a stereotype. All you have to do is look around and compare. When I was at the DC gathering, I was black from head to toe and stood out like a little black traffic beacon. But here, I don't think a thing of it. </p> <p>I don't know why this is, and in fairness, it *is* an exaggeration. We do like color here, no doubt about it. Especially in summer and spring. I would say in general, NYers are definitely more likely to wear a color than a neutral other than black--meaning any color, including pastels, earth tones, and muted hues. I see olive sometimes, but hardly ever beige unless it is heavily supplemented by black. Cream and white come out a little in warm weather, but I don't see white bottoms too much. Fashion week goers and fashionistas in general wear a lot of black, regardless of city. </p> <p>It's interesting to me to see how cities all over the world have their own individual flavors and styles. Remember Angies post on Zurich? Not a hint of color in sight! I don't know how that develops but it is rather fun to behold. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214529 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:20:10 +0000 Gail 214529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry, I didn't mean to stereotype New Yorkers. I was just thinking about Angie's statement that she was wearing black as a tribute to New Yorkers. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214526 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:18:13 +0000 judy 214526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>LOVE that Christine Baransky quote, MaryK! </p> <p>I haven't been to NY in years, but maybe it is a bit of a stereotype.</p> <p>Though it might be an "art world" thing. A lot of those folks in art and architecture wear black, like a canvas. </p> <p> I have embraced more and more of a neutral palette these last several years. Maybe it's age. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214458 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:09:29 +0000 Anonymous 214458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Blonde Ambition said! I think it's also based on season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214448 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:54:08 +0000 April 214448@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I actually think it's less that "New Yorkers" wear a uniform of all black, than that the people attending Fashion Week wear a uniform of all black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214444 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:49:22 +0000 BlondeAmbition 214444@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The way you all describe it you'd think we were walking around in all-black all day. Not true. There's plenty of colors and patterns and different styles around NY. Lots of bohemian chick, mod, and all the latest boyfriend craze. You will see plenty of black as well and perhaps it's because it is very dramatic, bold, and polished. It's also very slimming and we are all obsessed with that. It's really unfair to stereotype all new yorkers as wearing all black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214438 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:42:25 +0000 bj1111 214438@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i think dressing in black is also seen as intellectual. i find it more challenging and interesting to put together a predominantly black outfit and maintain interest through texture and shape. putting on a pop of color which is my easy default "adding interest" maneuver.</p> <p>to add a dissenting opinion, i welcome the new minimalism, which is more my style. i felt the need to put on color a bit oppressive at times. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214437 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:41:24 +0000 MsMary 214437@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really know. I'm just chuckling, though, remembering a funny line from a TV show I saw years ago. The wonderful Christine Baransky played a verrah verrah sophisticated NYC magazine editor (I think), and she chided a recently-arrived Midwesterner for wearing brown to the office, saying "New Yorkers are only wearing black until something darker comes along..." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214431 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:26:41 +0000 Michelle 214431@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question, and I'm afraid I have no answer for it. All I know is that it would never work for me -- colour and patterns make me happy. And that's what's so great about this site and fashion in general -- there's no right or wrong way to do things. Just because that's the approach in New York doesn't mean that's how it ought to be done. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214430 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:19:44 +0000 April 214430@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black is seen as sophisticated, though it can quickly look awful if any of the pieces are faded, linty, or otherwise showing age and wear. Same with its ability to look expensive: it looks cheap very quickly if it's pilling, fading, or gathering lint. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214402 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:48:43 +0000 JewelryGirl 214402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, that's what I do (for the most part)! I think it's so much simpler &amp; versatile. I'm a HUGE jewelry &amp; shoe's girl and I'm not much for patterns (unless it's classic animal print, stripe, something along those lines) so this works very well for me. Plus, it's very fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/why-is-black-the-ny-uniform#post-214393 Sat, 11 Sep 2010 13:20:39 +0000 Gail 214393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I started thinking why New Yorkers wear so much black? Since black never goes out of style, is black just easy? Does it look more expensive? What about neturals in general - like the new camels and pearl colors. I love pops of color too, but now I am thinking about just concentrating on neutrals - black pants, white shirts, camel coats and bringing in trends with shoes, handbags and jewlery. </p>