Black for a Soft Autumn (My LBD's) - YouLookFab Forum

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Black for a Soft Autumn (My LBD's)

Staysfit

Veteran

I have a strange relationship with the color black. I don't really wear it except when I exercise. I hardly own any except yoga pants, boots and shoes. Having said that, here are pictures of me in my two black dresses. One of which I am purging (Dress 1) Maybe both should go? I don't think either is particularly great. I think the black is just very harsh and not a great color for me. What do you think?

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26 replies

Latest reply was from Staysfit

Quietgirl

Veteran

I agree. I like #2 better. Fortunately, you look very fit in both! Have you considered wearing these with a colorful necklace or scarf?

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

#2 is better. I agree with quiet girl about the necklace or scarf idea. Because you are slender and fit, and have a long, elegant neck, you have some space to fill vertically in dresses of this sort (but maybe don't go too wide across the shoulders.)

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

#1 should definitely go: the neckline is to low for you.
#2 is better but I agree that black is not your best color. Also ideally I would like to see a higher neckline for you. You can definitely wear it with a scarf in a flattering color though.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Another soft autumn here & if I were you I would let them go

Staysfit

Veteran

It looks like there is consensus here so far! The one time I wore the black dress I did add a colorful bib necklace. I agree a scarf would also work.

Caro, I am in agreement with you. I am leaning towards getting rid of both dresses. Do you wear any black? I have considered eliminating it entirely from my closet, except for my exercise leggings, which I like in black because they last forever.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'd let them go if you don't need them. Black bottoms are a different animal. Or black that you intend to wear with another colour (scarf, necklace, shirt layered beneath but showing.)

Sal

Veteran

Dress 1 has the wrong neckline, Dress 2 is okay, but it would need accessorising. To me it is a dress that if you like wearing it I would keep and wear with tights, boots and a fab scarf or topper and it would provide a good base. You have wonderful long slim legs so you can play around with footwear on a dress of this length...
To me it sounds like you are not in love with it!

deb

Veteran

I say, purge.

unfrumped

Veteran

Out! I agree, you have been focusing on much lovelier colors that make you glow, even in the neutrals. You can so do the soft autumn colors, so why bother with black?

Anonymous

i got rid of black and never looked back! (except for exercise bottoms) i'd sat purge both to make room for a navy or dark brown dress.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I was mis-analysed as a "spring" years ago (so not me) & I've only recently come to the understanding I'm a soft autumn. If you want the gory details they are here:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....fused-long

So, I'm currently working on reducing the black in my wardrobe. I have kept some things because everything else about them is so right for me & I'm still not sure whether it's possible to eliminate all of my black. I think colour is only one aspect of a persons style but I do know I feel awful when I wear black head to toe

Gigi

Veteran

I like #2 better than #1. However, I do agree that black does not seem to play up your natural coloring. Wearing it with a scarf is a good idea, but I also feel sometimes like the point of a LBD is to have it be pretty simple, which means you might not always want a scarf. Personally, I would say that if you haven't worn the dress in quite some time and don't have some kind of event coming up where you would need to wear it, I would purge it and start looking for a similar dress in a color that is more suited to your natural color palette.

Staysfit

Veteran

Caro, thanks for sharing the link to your experience. I was once mis-analyzed as a "spring" also. My experience was a lot like yours. None of the spring colors worked well except the universal colors which work for everyone. Regular autumn colors are often much too rich and warm, although my skin is medium toned so I can sometimes get away with some rusts that are not in my palette.

When I had my colors redone with the 12 season system, it became obviously clear that I am a soft autumn. Pretty much everything in the palette works, except maybe the navy - I am not a big fan. I also use make up from a company that divides according to a seasonal palette and the soft autumns are winners every time.

Deborah

Veteran

They are both lovely dresses but I must agree that black may not be your best colour. Do you wear make up? Dress 2 looks lovely bit I do agree colour is needed to make it really work. Based on what you have said, I think you could let them both go.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

That's so interesting Staysfit I've let my hair go grey so I love the navy - it's very hard to find in Australia tough. The browns are the only colours I don't LOVE. Don't dislike them but they feel too, well, brown on me - footwear & bags are another matter There are so many lovely greens around at the moment - we are coming into spring.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Agree, they should go. After seeing how beautiful you look in the colour of the EF tops you posted, your LBD needs to be something other than B :).

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Agree with the decision to purge - why work so hard to wear them if you don't need them?

Marley

Veteran

I'd let them both go. You can do so much better!

misapb

Your coloring reminds me of nicole kidman (compliment!). she only wears black when her hair is dyed a darker red. I agree the black is overwhelming with your skin and hair color. If you had dark-rimmed glasses/sunglasses, heavy eye make-up, or dramatic lips it would balance it out a bit.

Ingunn

(website)

Veteran

It's interesting to read about the color experiences. I think the black dress in #2 will work fine if accessorized a little.

Staysfit

Veteran

I am wearing make up in the pictures so I think I would have to brighten it quite a bit. I have generally preferred a natural look with my makeup although I often wear colorful eye liner. It may be hard to see here, but it is a mid tone green.

I will play around with some accessories and see if I can make it work.

I have to think "What would the LBD alternative look like for me?", before I replace it. I do think I can do better. I may have something better in my closet right now.

I suppose I also need to consider the functional uses of of the LBD.

Anonymous

Another SA reporting here and I have to say that I never ever wear black near my face. I went for years actually with no black in my wardrobe at all, but I now have two black skirts and two pairs of boots. I would be tempted to purge your dresses. As for an alternative, hmm, what about a rich deep red or green.

You know I don't even possess any kind of LBD alternative as I have no use for them . One of my black skirts is a lace one which could be worn with a lovely top for occasions.

Alassë

Veteran

Yes, I would pass on both. Black overpowers your colouring. I'm sure there are lovely alternatives out there in your darker neutrals - do you wear gray or plum?

Anonymous

One more vote for passing on both.

Quietgirl

Veteran

I agree with the black color issue you are mentioning. Black is just too harsh for my skin at 58. I can wear charcoal and navy successfully. I like the comments by misapb above. Have you looked online at some of the colors Nicole Kidman is wearing? Are any of them currently hanging in your closet?

I agree with the comments above...a LBD doesn't have to be black!

Staysfit

Veteran

Misapb, I never considered my coloring to be similar to Nicole Kidmans! If only I could grow out my hair and act! I do have a lot of cream and ivory which she seems to wear. She also wears gold jewelry which I prefer. I notice when she wears dark colors like black or navy, that she sometimes uses gold collars.

I haven't been able to come up with any specific uses for a LBD that cannot be replaced by one of my dresses with a more flattering color.