I certainly don't look my best in black. Black next to my face can make me look very drawn and I didn't have black in my wardrobe for decades. I am now just adding little bits here and there in shoes, belts and one pencil skirt and that's about it really. You will never see me in a little black dress I'm afraid so I'd probably go for plum or teal. I do love to see other ladies rock black outfits though. Oh and there's nothing I like more that to see a gorgeous tanned guy in a black shirt and jeans mmmm..

Laura - I am a princess of darkness myself, but I would not wear it if I did not think it flattered me. Having a dark neutral can ground an outfit but no reason not to pick one that you look stunning in!! Navy/Ink? Brown? Some womens even go light neutral with taupe/cream etc. What colors look best on you? There is not right or wrong, it's what works and what you like. I went the other way and stripped my colors down to black and shades of gray. This makes me happy. You need to do what looks good to make you happy!!

Black is a staple for me:
1- I have almost all black coats: don't show dirt etc (while traveling), look good with most things
2- I have black formal wear and "dressy" wear: colors can often look dated (i.e. what will radiant orchid be saying in 5 years whereas I have black dresses from many years ago that still look current). Also- people don't tend to remember black dresses (which means my one black formal dress can be worn the 1-2-3 times a year that I need a formal dress- these are mostly business events where my role is to be supportive not stand out).

Gryffin ... princess of darkness!! I love it. May I borrow that please.

I don't wear black, because when I do it wears me. I do wear dark greys and navies that look black on me until you put them next to real black (a few of my navies are probably darker than ideal for me but oh well), so I haven't given up dark colours! The only time I find it frustrating is when looking for shoes & hosiery. If dark brown is your replacement, or you enjoy wearing cognac, you'll be fine. But if grey or navy is your preferred neutral, be prepared to hunt much longer for those items.

Like Ironkurtin said: "I love black. It's rich, elegant, classic, and simple".(AND SLIMMING:-))

This beeing said, I am relatively new to blacks, LOL:-).

I have worn tons of dark chocklates and navies all my life as neutrals instead of the most common black as am a blonde, low contrast girl and black seemed too mature and harsh for me back then. I only recognised the power of a good all black/backgrounded/color blocked/&TEXTURED outfit only in my 40-ies!

I also never had black shoes in the past other than dressy ones, and still think twice(or more) when purchasing one (now I have boots, booties, pumps all range, but mostly love black suede and patent for shoes and bags).

I like the contrast made of a black outfit on a blonde lass and so, I consider it high edge for me. Bonus pictie of wiw today, as can be highly related and helpful for supporting my comment:-).

I can't give up black. It is the backbone of my wardrobe.

Goodness no. Why would I do that?

Black and I have been on a bit of a break.

I had to reset my use of black, since I was one of those women who spent the entire decade of the 90's in black pants and something bright on top. I was also trying to hide my double-digit (and not 00) body in what I came to call "camo dressing." I needed to admit I had a problem. It wasn't about the black. It was about me.

Little by little, black has made its way back, but this time its not a fall back, but as a deliberate choice. I find it a little harsher against my face than I did 20 years ago, so I look to soften a bit with texture or other colors. Since my palette, like Suz's, is cool, black is still one of the easiest "blenders" with cobalt, burgundy, and purple -- some of my best colors. I also have plenty of "concert black" or items for my performing capsule.

The first choice in wearing black should be how it makes you feel -- its happiness factor. Beyond that, I do think head-to-toe dressing has an effect on style -- its can look arty and edgy. It can also look flat and shabby --- it's imperative to care for black items and buy the best quality you can afford.

I don't have very much black. Some shoes, bags, a couple pairs of pants, some holiday wear. That's it. I used to have a fleece vest, and a jacket, but gave them away. I guess I have black rain pants. My hair was light brown and black did nothing for me. Last year I went grey, and in the front my hair is silver with white highlights. I wonder if black will look better now. My face is the same color, though.

I've read everyone's comments with interest but I haven't known how to reply to some of them. Of course, if you like/love black continue to wear it! That wasn't really my question - it was for those of us that black doesn't really suit that well, how do you deal with it, by avoiding it or using it in small quantities, etc.

I tend to think of an all black outfit as different from an outfit with black and other colors - all black seems like a deliberate choice, one that resonates with ideas of architecture and structure, artists, etc. There are some here that rock the all black look, like Deborah. Unfortunately, I can't really pull that off anymore - although I tried in college!

For me, personally, I struggle with what color could be a 'base' for me, other than denim. Navy reminds me of dour school uniforms, gray comes in so many shades, and tan doesn't work with my coloring. Brown? Most browns are too warm-colored for me, I think. Gray, I guess, although that would put me back in black shoes most of the time since gray shoes are pretty rare.

Re: the shoes - if flattery is the main issue, you could stick with black shoes to go with your gray?

Funny, I've just had the realization that, in my own mind, giving up black means giving up black around the face ... never thought of giving up black shoes or even pants haha!!! Oh, black ... you are confounding!!!!!

Interesting Laura!
I don't think I could eliminate black entirely from my closet. I am thinking about my only black items- coats for walking, a few jeans, work-wear, my everyday handbag and winter boots/booties.
One problem would be finding substitutes, and the other not wishing to further expand my shoe wardrobe by trying to find shades that 'go' with my multiple pant options, the way black does.
I prefer to limit my spending choices by getting the better quality fabrics- more investment-type pieces that will last longer etc.

Laura: No need to wear black shoes with grey! I've seen a lot of brown shoes, particularly with deeper greys. Also, navy, burgundy, nude, rich red, white. What about trying to "copy" some of Ceit's tonal grey looks?

Hey! I have some grey shoes!

I have gray boots, gray shooties, and gray suede pumps with straps! And don't forget silver and pewter- I've got those too!

I gravitate towards black and always have but for the past 5 years or so have been trying to work in lighter colors near my face as i wear very little makeup and now it seems as if black washes me out. I tried to find tops in white or cream that I would really feel at home in but they mostly don't feel right. Charcoal grey has rescued me. Still dark, and wonderfully complex, flattering on me, and mixes well with black (to my eye). I don't try to avoid black shoes, pants, or even wider neckline tops, though. Still love them in black. Good luck in your quest.

Laura I just reread your post and later comments and realize that you are looking for experience/advice from those who don't buy black at all. (For which I don't qualify). It sounds like it's almost an effort to simplify, and you are wondering if it really would. Intriguing! If you try it, I hope you will post again with your experiences.

Raises hand - I don't buy black. Plenty of skirts (staple for me) come in dark brown, and you can find tights/trousers/shoes/coats/cardigans/dresses/shorts in brown if you hunt enough. Maybe only 1 per season out of all of the retailers you browse, but it will be there. I just ignore black options, having committed to not buy it. If I don't like the brown selection, I wait or look at thrift/Ebay/consignment. And Laura, there are grayed browns or bitter chocolates - I know because I'll buy a brown __ and have to return it because it's not warm!

This last weekend I had a massive closet clean out and purged anything that didn't fit or didn't look good on me. The few black tops I had went into the purge pile. As I've aged (I'm 51) I just cannot wear black any longer.

Taupe?

In all seriousness, you don't need ONE base for your wardrobe, really. You can have a couple of neutrals, with some black mixed in if you like. But charcoal can be a great substitute.

Not banished, but cutting way back and not adding tops.
A few black tops are still useful as I often have white topper. I have skirts and pants for which a black knit top makes a perfect FFBO.
But do not want to buy any more items in which black is featured by face--even black jackets.

Black pants are still a go, and black shoes/booties. But, aiming for a few of the best and not just habitually buying all in that color.

Interestingly I might still buy a LBD if it were perfect and the neckline allowed jewelry. But my HEWI is a little burgundy or plum dress, with sleeves.

I've made a conscious decision to not purchase any more black tops. While I have cool coloring, I'm so pale that black just washes me out. If and when I do wear the ones that I have, I have a scarf on top to avoid black near my face. It's been a bit of an adjustment shopping wise, because I sometimes see gorgeous tops, but they're only in black and white (pure white doesn't work on me for similar reasons). I have one black blazer that I love, but the rest of them are navy or grey. For bottoms, I'm working on acquiring either grey or navy or black with patterns (pinstripes, microchecks, etc). I also have some black outerwear, but it all has texture on it to break up the black (lace overlay or boucle type fabric). The rest of my coats are cobalt or hot pink. As far as shoes go, I have grey, black, and metallic. I'd love to find some animal print. Also, have you considered another color as your neutral? Burgundy? Forest green? Ink blue? I can't comment on brown, because I just don't like the color brown in general.

This and another thread about funeral wear makes me ask, if you don't wear black, what do you wear to a funeral? I don't go to many funerals, but when I do, I'm not sure what to wear.

Jaileen, I usually wear appropriately sober clothing to a funeral but not necessarily all black or even any black. Perhaps there are circles where where everyone who attends a funeral wears black from head to toe, but if so, I'm not in those circles (and I've only seen those kinds of funerals in movies). I tend to wear sober colors and solids or discreet prints. Dark neutrals in fall/winter, and lighter neutrals in our boiling hot summers. Basically, "quiet" clothes that don't call attention to themselves.

I have "Soft Summer" coloring and I phased black out of my wardrobe entirely for about ten years (back in the 90's I think). It was okay, but I missed having a few emphatic pieces in black. It felt like something was missing somehow. I now wear some black sparingly. It may not be my best color, but it sure beats wearing a color-color that looks terrible on me. Often that is my choice in the stores.

I kept a black top & skirt from the purge pile for just that reason.