Mis-Matched Blacks

WitchyD

Help! I have a closet full of mis-matched black suiting separates.

Because of my size (petite and plus) and a bit of a shopping addiction I have accumulated a lot of quality black or dark gray suit separates. The problem is that I can't seem to match up the skirts, pants and blazers into actual workable suits!

For example: I have lovely charcoal pinstripe Calvin Klein skirt I snagged from a clearance rack for just $5.00, but have no idea what to pair it with to make a suit.

Any advice on how to make a stylish suit when the top and bottom colors (who knew there were so many shades of black!) are slightly off?
I'm worried it will just end up looking sloppy .

11 years ago

Dressing

8 replies

Latest reply was from WitchyD

rachylou

Veteran

I have to admit, mismatched blacks disturb me a little. I'd mix-and-match the grays and blacks to make suits, not the blacks and blacks...

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I'm assuming that wearing them as separates works well, but that the problem comes when you are trying to put a black jacket with a black skirt for example. Others probably have better knowledge, but I wouldn't try matching similar colors. I'd treat them as separates always, so pick a jacket of a different color that complements the skirt, but doesn't look like they were made together.

I've only had luck making a separate suit this way when there was enough of a textural difference in the weave of the pants that it looked intentional, and one time with black crepe. I had to test it in a bunch of different lights too, outdoor daylight, florescents, halogens and incandescents, the works. Luckily the whole outfit only had one button or that would have been another mismatch

11 years ago

celia

Veteran

Does any of your blacks has texture or are they all the same kind of fabric?
If possible I would match different textures together , if you really have to wear all black outfits.
If not I would play with other colours in my wardrobe.
Talking about your charcoal pinstripe skirt, I would pair it with a shorter black blazer and a blouse in a brighter colour, or a charcoal grey blouse to create a column of colour underneath and a black or coloured blazer.
Can you post pictures with options of toppers ?

11 years ago

AviaMariah

Veteran

I second what rabbit said. Maybe start looking for/adding in another color to help break it up like red or cobalt.

11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I wouldn't wear mis-matched blacks that have a similar texture but I love them when the textures are different - like wool & leather or silk & wool.

11 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

I'm sure you know this but if you buy a topper and bottom in the same black do not dry clean them seperately or what was once a matched item will not be. When I wore suits to work I often had two pairs of pants and a skirt (or the opposite) for the same blazer.
If you look at some of the monochromatic posts out there you will see three different shades of a colour worn at the same time. Somehow this is harder to do with black as people in general just think you got all mismatched and didn't do it on purpose but the rule still applies.
I sometimes do this on purpose too. Wearing a dark dark black top and softer dress pant with a topper. My broad shoulders and full rib need the darker more than my slimmer bottom. Jewellery or a scarf also takes the striking difference away and if you wear a belt this serves that purpose too.
Your skirt sounds lovely. I imagine it would go beautifully with any of your black blazers. I think it might help if you thought about the underlayer and accessories when trying them together and try them on. Don't just focus your eye on the topper and skirt not matching.
Hope this helps.

11 years ago

WitchyD

Active Member

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!
As noted, I do have one or two black jackets that have more of a texture to them, and these do mix more easily with various pants even if the shade if off a little.

But a lot of the elements are similar texture fabric and as everyone noted, they simply don't match up well. I've seen a tone-on-tone or shades of all black look, but when I try it, it just looks like I messed up. I think I may need to have a closet clean out soon and really reduce what I have to the best options!

@Freckles. I see how buying two pairs of pant and one blazer for a suit is a good idea in the future. That is what has happened with a few of my separates. I wore the pants all the time, but not the blazers. Now they no longer match!

11 years ago

WitchyD

Active Member

After a closet cleanout last week, I gathered a few of the "everyday" wash-and-wear type black suit separates. I had two blazers, 3 pants an a skirt that were similar in texture/material, but varying faded black hues (typically pants more faded than the jackets). I put them in the washer with 2 packs of Rit black dye and let sit overnight. When done, all the blacks now match!

Don't know how long they will last, but for the frugal getting some extra mileage out of clothes helps.

11 years ago

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