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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I love me some black! One of my signature styles is black and white with pops of red...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

- Incorporating white or cream, particularly near my face. My go-to strategy is PEARLS.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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.

- 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!

- 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.

- 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.

LBD with a chunky strand of pearls and diamond studs....perfection!
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

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.

Can you remove black all together from your wardrobe? Absolutely.

And blondes in all black is soooo fab!

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.

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 & white or black & 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.