Ask Angie et al: A Softer Black?

Beth Ann

I've been trying to avoid grey in the past couple of fall/winter seasons. This is not going particularly well, as I'm also trying to avoid too much black, and I try to keep my color palette somewhat reigned in. I do love so many colors, but I'll end up with a Pollack painting for a wardrobe, if I'm not careful.

I have been pairing ink with black (yes!), and love the deepest of purples, teals and burgundies worn almost as neutrals, as well. I have not yet incorporated deep browns.

Lighter greys do me no favors. They fight the olive in my skin and the golden tones in my hair and hazel eyes. Darkest grey --- particularly a tweedy deep charcoal --- seems far better. Does deep, tweedy grey work essentially as a soft black on someone with my coloring? Could there be a place for it in my wardrobe, particularly as a way of softening black and bridging to my dark jewel tones like sapphire and burgundy? Or do I turn my neutral gaze elsewhere?

11 years ago

Dressing

11 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Marlene

Veteran

As someone that wears A LOT of gray, I can only say "it depends". The challenge with gray is it can be either a warm gray or a cool gray. And the deepness doesn't seem to really take that into account.. I had a gray sweater that was quite dark but it was also a warm dark gray and it was not good on me. My trick with the grays is to actually hold it up to the items that you want to pair it with and see if the warm or cool tones pop. I have a hard time just figuring it out when its on its own.

11 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Wow, I could have written this post! Aside from just avoiding black altogether, I too find a "soft black" very useful and different from true black.

Charcoal can work like a soft black but I found another couple of pathways to the elusive "not jet black."

One good find was AT (sorry, yep!) black pinstripe lightweight wool pants and blazer. The pinstripe is very subtle and either it alone "softens" the black or there is something different about the black fabric in between the stripes or both--I gave up trying to tell. It "reads" as an off-black. The faint stripe also works really well with grays or real colors where sometimes black pants are so stark. I'm wearing these a lot, even in summer.

Tweeds are probably a good bet, but also fabrics that are tweed-y but more subtle-- pindots.

Sometimes sheen or texture can help--something that interferes with the light-sucking properties.

11 years ago

Helena

Veteran

I think the gray would be really flattering and would work nicely with the jewel tones as you describe. But, as much as I hate to say it, there is no black but black imo There are just some circumstances in which even deep gray does not substitute (e.g. when dressing up basics for evening, let's say).

One thing I've noticed is that black can be softened by fabric choice - for example, a black knit looks (to me) softer than a black fabric with sheen to it. A black drapey top looks softer than a black stiff top. Also, earring in the right color for you work wonders imo. I think I'm just expanding on unfrumped's point.
Good luck with it!

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Marlene speaks sense. Not all greys are created equal.

Charcoal is supposed to be "my" black, as a "true summer" -- and I do find it a bit less demanding to wear.

It plays very well with others -- but then, the "others" in my closet are all (except for my summer cobalt) a little bit on the muted side or softer side -- not crystal clear jewel tones but softened jewels. Buffed jewels, anyone?

Seriously -- fuchsia vs. hot pink....cranberry vs. tomato or true red....there is a bit of grey or white in most of the colours I wear.

Anyway - I find charcoal works with berries, most blues including ink and navy, black, cognac, taupe, white & off-white, reds, some purples and orchids....

11 years ago

Adelfa

Veteran

As someone with coloring similar to yours.... I've known for 30 years that deep charcoal, especially when tweedy, is better for me than black. However I find it impossible to capitalize on this knowledge because deep tweedy charcoal only comes along once in a while but black is everywhere.

So when I find it, yay! But it's more a special occasion thing than a backbone thing.

I also think you'll have to test to see if it sets off your different jewel tones well enough.

I love deep brown but in limited doses and usually in shoes or belts. Actually wearing brown shoes or boots with a black based outfit really softens it and adds a sophisticated touch. I think you'd wear this look really well if it appeals to you at all.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES. Charcoal grey is gorgeous on you, Beth Ann - especially if it's textured. Perfect with your jewell tones. I also love you in dark blues and chocolates actually. Your colouring looks fabulous in shades of dark brown.

And to answer your question - dark grey and ink blue can be "your black". xo

11 years ago

Beth Ann

Veteran

You guys are amazing! I find it quite relaxing to muse over fabrics and colors and silhouettes. It's like a gardener reading a seed catalog in February!

Marlene: warm grey is tragic on me, and doesn't play well with my wardrobe. Store lighting can be terrible, as can catalog pics, which makes it that much harder.

UF: Excellent reminder: There are many ways to soften black -- pinstripes and pindots included! A pair of wide leg pinstripes would be fun!

Suz: I don't soften my jewel tones as often, but I can wear those shades, too. I am finding myself drawn to a blue that is softy greyed, but I'm not sure it makes me "pop" as much as a truer blue. Something to think about.

Adelfa: We do share coloring! I've not worn much charcoal in the past, and I spend my 30's in a whole lotta black! (Hey, it was the 90's). A medium or silver grey is definitely easier to find than deeper, textured greys.

Angie: I think I need to explore more textured colors and fabric in general, particularly for fall/winter. The complexity suits me and the winter climate here. And I keep thinking about brown -- I'd love to give it a try. Certainly it would add a new twist to my blues, blacks, and even my deep garnet reds and dark purple.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Brown would be gorgeous on you, Beth Ann. And I love the idea of adding texture, also. Something I need to think about as well.

Yes, you can for sure handle stronger colour than I can, but luckily, charcoal is up to either challenge! It gives you flexibility. As others have said, it can be difficult to find, except in suiting.

As for the tragic story of warm grey, oh, I know it well. Any yellowish grey is worse than death to me, truly.

Whereas any bluish grey is like a soft wind blowing good.

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Wooohooo. I'm looking forward to your experimentation with new neutrals, Beth Ann. xo

11 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Charcoal grey would be a lovely alternative for black. And I imagine it would look amazing with your jewel tones.

11 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I've been stalking this charcoal jacket for awhile. Unfortunately it's a little pricey. I'm hoping it'll go on sale before they run out of my size :

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/vi.....s-_-1_13_A

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11 years ago

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