As I said on the other thread, I don't wear black, because I can't balance it. When I put something black on, it draws all of the attention from my face straight to that piece of clothing. That doesn't mean I don't wear dark colours though! And everything Gaylene said about black would be true for me and grey. Or navy blue for that matter. And black is far from the only colour I avoid: anything saturated has that effect on me while other shades make me jaundiced. I don't wear any of them.

I have no problem with others who want to wear black though, whatever their age, and certainly believe those with all black wardrobes can be just as stylish as those with more variety. I love how you dress Deborah. My just-turned-8 niece has now decided black is her favourite colour; I found her a black casual but velvety dress while thrifting that she loves and looks adorable in (she has very different colouring from me). I now check the children's rack for black whenever I'm at the thrift store, because it makes her happy. I'm all about clothes supporting us.

I do get frustrated by how much black is the default in retail, especially in shoes. I could get black shoes in any style I wanted under the sun, and dark brown as a close second, but grey and navy blue options are drastically fewer, and tend to only be available at higher price points (and a lot of times the navies are too dark to be ideal for me but at some point something's got to give). Underwear is the same story: lots of black and white and beige but not many greys and navies. If I bought my clothes retail instead of secondhand (where everything's sorted by colour, conveniently letting me skip the black sections!), I suspect I'd be just as frustrated. That is not to say that people who love black don't have their share of shopping difficulties! But shoe shopping, and tights shopping for that matter, would be a million times easier if I had black hair/wore a bunch of black tops.

From that perspective, I don't really understand the GlassOrganelle quote you shared: how is black not as 'obvious' as other options? Almost everything retailers carry is available in black. lol I can understand that their dialogue is a reaction to people telling them not to wear all black. But I don't think black is any *more* chic or interesting or smart or subtle than other neutrals people choose. It's all in the style isn't it, and the magic that happens between a person and their colours, of whatever hue.

My first reaction was a bit like Gigi's - why is black such an emotional issue? Why do people wearing black see it in a separate category compared to any other neutral? But reading the responses makes it clear that for whatever reason it is an emotional issue.

So I used to be known as someone that always wears black. It just seemed obvious to me that I would choose black. And until recently my hair was almost black. My eye and tastes have changed over the years of looking at fashion and most of all YLF and now I wear other colors and neutrals but still own and wear a healthy dose of black. The difference is I am no longer defined by it. I am fascinated by this conversation though and glad you raised it Deborah (and I think you and the other princesses of darkness should keep on keeping on of course)!

For the record Liberty prints look really good with black.

I love black and wear plenty of it. (It annoys me when people suggest this means being "afraid of color." I may not feel good in a lot of color, but I don't feel frightened.)

There are also things that, paradoxically, I don't like in black at all. I don't like black winter coats, whether puffers or wool, and am *so* bored by the current ubiquity of the black puffer in New York City. (Trust me, a black puffer with salt stains on it doesn't look a whole lot nicer or cleaner than a white puffer with a little dirt on it.) I'm not drawn to black handbags and don't own one at the moment, even though that would be a practical thing to have. I don't like black wallets either.

And I don't like any black garment that has "Swiffer properties" (thanks to Pam for that reference).

I have no real strong feelings towards black one way or another. In fact I would like to wear more if it wasn't for a skin tone which I dislike and am continually trying to add warmth to in order to make me look well or indeed alive lol! I envy those with milky skin or very dark hair which I think can look pretty striking in black. So I shall continue to bring it in to my colour palettes in small doses and enjoy it in bigger doses on others who can rock it, of which you are one Deb.

I have a love hate relationship with black. I live in NYC so it's not unusual to see people here in all black and nobody looks particularly more edgy than anyone else wearing black. I have to wear all black, head to toe for my job (musician, in an orchestra) so I have loads of black in my closet. For that reason alone you'd think I'd try to stay away from wearing black when I don't have to. But I do wear a lot of black. The pros are that it makes me feel slim, it helps hide little bulges, it doesn't show stains and it just "goes" with everything.

On the other hand I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I feel safe wearing black. It's my default. Aside from blue jeans I only wear black pants. I don't go anywhere near khakis or any other color pants, being a bit overweight and an hourglass/pear shape my hips and thighs is the absolute last place I want to draw attention. If I wear black it's like I can hide. I totally hate this and I have a dream to wear a pair of mustard yellow skinnies with a colorful blouse.

Because I wear so much black I totally avoid black shoes (unless it's for work) and black purses. I don't have any black purses and every time I try to buy one I get depressed and buy something else. I'm like April in this sense lol. I don't like black wallets either and I buy brightly colored ones but mostly for the purpose that I can spot it in my purse easily.

Interesting discussion. Thanks for raising the questions, Deb.

I was thinking some more about this, and realized that people's reactions to black may be about their feelings about it being worn "en masse" as it were, or about their feelings about all-black on any one individual. Or both.

It also occurred to me that I wear a slightly different palette in summer and winter, because of how I perceive different colours in different lights. How i perceive them affects how I feel about looking at them or wearing them. And that recognition led to the following:

I do share the negative feelings others have expressed about the ubiquity of black, especially in winter. It's not that I dislike black, per se -- it's that I get so, so tired of the endless sea of it on the streets. It truly is depressing. I think it's that depressing quality that causes some people to react so strongly against black. And that might not be apparent in sunny places. Where I live, for much of the year, everything -- streets, limestone buildings, lakes, tree trunks, sidewalks, sky -- is grey. It's not as grey as the Pacific North West -- we do get a fair bit of sunshine even in winter, at least most winters -- but the PNW has green all year round to soften and gentle the grey. Cities like Toronto, New York, and even my own little Kingston, are just unremittingly dark and dreary for month after month after month.

A sea of black coats does nothing to relieve that darkness. And -- speaking for myself -- my soul craves colour in the midst of it! So that is one reason for an anti-black reaction. Having said that -- guess what colour my puffer is? Okay, not black, but the colour that is even more dominant in my environment. Blue-grey! Ha!! (But I do own a wool coat in red, as well as one in ...wait for it...navy and black colour block!)

I was also thinking again about Gaylene'e ode. I loved it, and agree with her about black's magical qualities. But I can also see other qualities that can help to explain why the colour can be so polarizing. Here are a few reasons why -- depending on a person's style and aesthetic -- black might feel "confronting." And especially why all black might feel confronting.

On its own, without other colours or neutrals, black is never or rarely:

Fresh
Animated
Earthy/ warm
Visually light
Whimsical (can be when mixed with white or other colours in a pattern, but not on its own)

That's why, to some people, all black can come across as:

Stale
Still
Cold/ Forbidding/ Aloof
Heavy
Humourless

I see all these qualities in black (and especially all-black) outfits. So that is why I am ambivalent.

When I see someone like you wear it intentionally and well and when I know you love it -- and particularly if I were to see you in your own bright, light environment -- the negatives would not strike me in the least. I'd see a fashionable and exceptionally stylish woman!

But when I see a throng of black puffers on the dirty subway platform -- that's another question. And even when I see a friend who would look so much better in a different neutral, falling back on black again and again -- it makes me sad.

But maybe this is true of any outfit that consists of one colour. It will provoke strong reactions. All pink? Saccharine (or soft and warm). All blue? Staid, conservative (or calm, reflective). All yellow? Agitating, irritating (or happy, upbeat?) All red? Demanding, aggressive (or warm, positively dramatic, assertive). And so on.

I will copy and paste my comment on the other thread.

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(esp with a tan) and so, I consider it high edge for me(and for you Deb, too:-)).

This has been a fascinating read Deborah and thank you so much for starting a great conversation.

I totally and completely share your love of black. It is the backbone of my wardrobe and I suspect, always will be. Sure I like to throw in color now and then and I have fallen equally in love with white for the warm months, but black is number one in my wardrobe.

But it didn't used to be that way. Before I let my hair go its natural salt-n-pepper, I hardly wore black at all. My colored hair was a dark auburn and chocolate brown was much better on me. Black seemed to clash somehow. Now that I have silver in my hair, it works so much better with black. And I have to say that my pale complexion works with it as well.

I would not wear black as much though it if were not a flattering color. I wouldn't choose it just because it's black, you know? To me the bottom line is it still has to look good. I completely disagree with a blanket statement that after a certain age, you shouldn't wear a particular color.

And I think an all black outfit can be positively smashing, particularly if some of the black elements have great textural interest.

You and I can head up Team Black, ok?

Suz, I really can't imagine anyone finding me stale, forbidding, heavy, or humorless. When I think of black I think of Audrey Hepburn ballerinas, Donna Karan, rich deep velvets, soft squishy dimensional cashmeres, sleek long legs ending in elegant boots, simple Chinese calligraphy by a master. I agree untended black wool coats can get linty and heavy-looking and sad, especially with faded pills at the cuffs, but that's not black's fault!

If I ever get to the PNW I will be curious to see if I will be drawn to brighter coats, or if I will wear them if I own them.

Oh, forgot to say (since you asked why is black that controversial). At least here, where I live (central/eastern Europe) black is traditionaly the color of mourning, too. So, I assume this is the nr. 1 reason here banning it by older/not fashion conscious people.

My DMother wore on her choice all blacks 1 year long(at age 55) after my DFather's death. It was never ever her color before that and she avoids it of all kinds ever since then like plague-and doesn't like to see me in it either. But still, I like blacks!

This is so interesting and I also am mystified as to why black is such an obsession one way or another - and I am the most obsessed of anyone, so that is by no means a criticism of anyone! It's just interesting!

I was a committed black-wearer until I worked with stylists, who felt that navy or gray would be better on me. Despite my resistance, they had effectively "spat in my soup" when it came to black, and I just have never looked at it the same, since I agree that it is not as nice as gray or particularly navy.

That said, black consistently finds it's way back in. I can't get away from the fact that when I see a woman who looks rich, casually-sophisticated and put-together, she is almost always wearing black. There is a flawlessness in black that is difficult to achieve with other colors. (not that it's foolproof - I agree that the sea of black puffers and Lululemons ends up looking drab to me).

I would love nothing more than to limit to black, white/gray and denim, say, as that simplicity would be amazing! But the flattery issue trips me up, as I then don't know why I wouldn't wear the more flattering color ... it's a spiral ...

Ah black, you are a complicated love!

PS - I hope I never sound negative towards black-wearers or black-shunners - firmly believe in doing what works for you!!!

IK, I agree! Love black+Liberty.

I don't like black in summer. Growing up in India although we still often opted for long sleeves (works better from a mosquito perspective) the clothing color itself was more summer pastels and lights during those long summers. I often wonder how the intense summer heat and you do in your black clothing although I realize you wear thinner fabrications in summer. I would love to see you experiment with more white especially but wearing black is your choice and presumably one you do not make lightly. I may not comment on your summer posts often because I tend to view them from my myopic viewpoint which can produce a vsiceral reaction to black in the heat. But that is based on my own life experiences. And I think we are both ok in viewing this differently- you: from a carefully thought out sartorial preference standpoint, me: more from a 'my gut feeling' perspective. Different strokes for different folks. Black is your white-and I get that even though I might not feel similarly.

Another lover of black chiming in with mild confusion. What's all the fuss about? I think a lot of this comes down to preference. Either you like black or you don't. Either you think it's timeless and sophisticated (or cool or arty or goth or whatever -- it's all those things, depending on how you wear it), or you think it's deadening. I personally think black looks OK on just about everybody; all this "it drains colour from your face" MUST be somewhat subjective, because I just don't see it. Mind you, there are some people who look especially fantastic in black -- for instance those with salt-and-pepper hair often do. But even those of us with ordinary brown hair look just fine in black. One thing I will admit: black near your face tends to reflect and enhance your undereye circles, so you have to be OK with that. Or OK with painting on some concealer. hehe

I think that even those who are hung up on the idea that they can't wear black because it's unflattering could probably wear it if they so chose by simply adding a more emphatically flattering colour near their face. Angie wears lots of black, but she's said more than once that head-to-toe black is not her thing and she and always wears a bit of colour -- bright glasses, or a non-black collar -- near her face.

I vote for no more judgy talk about colour choice. No black after 40? Rules schmules. Black is flattering if you feel good in it. That's the bottom line (at least for me)!

I think Janet, Gaylene and IK have pretty much covered what I think, and say it so much better than I could. I've worn black since I was a teenager and have no plans to stop anytime soon. PS Whatttt! The make shoes in colours other than black, lol.

Dana, I'd never call you humourless or stale.

I see all the lovely things you see in black -- my mind also leaps to those associations, and more.

I'm just trying to show the other side -- Deborah had asked why people respond so intensely. And I think I understand that point of view as well -- because my mind sees the negative associations as well. It's both/ and, not either/or for me, personally.

Which I guess is why I DO wear black but don't wear ALL black.

Someone with only the positive associations could feel great all the time in all-black.

Someone with only the negative associations would never wear it at all and might hate it on others.

I love wearing black. Lately I've been wondering if I "should" wear black but the truth is, I love the way I feel when I wear it. To me it's the easiest way to feel classy yet understated at the same time. And it just feels simple and easy to me. I also love throwing some color in the mix and, mostly through YLF, have learned to embrace and love other neutrals as well.

Gonna chime back in one more time to say I never wear black in Austin summers. It is too hot. I do wear gray and blue though - as close as I can get!

Amen and ditto to everything Aziraphale said!

Especially that last paragraph. I admire those who are bold enough sartorially to wear head-to-toe bright color, even though I do not care for that on me. I can't believe people being judgmental about color choice. I'm not a fan of being judgy about anything style-related, so I can't understand why people feel so passionately that someone should not wear a color as to find it borderline offensive.

The world would be entirely too visually stimulating if everyone avoided black all the time.

Aziraphale's comment above reminded me of something. It bothers me a bit when I keep hearing people tell me "well, YOU can wear black well. Most women can't." I believe this is emphatically NOT true. I think that just about everybody can wear their natural hair color. Mother Nature tends not to produce color clashes! And black is the most common hair color in the world. Furthermore, I don't believe black clashes with any other color.

To me, black is black. It's just that powerful.

I agree with Janet and Gaylene. There isn't one day (okay maybe in the summer time) where I don't wear black. Black something that looks good on me and my coloring and have worn it since high school when I went through my "all black" stage. Kudos to those that don't. While I love to incorporate some color, I always go back to black.

For most of my life I have steered clear of wearing all black. I am such a color lover, that it just didn't feel like me. However, as of late, as I open myself up to new style discoveries, I see that I can appreciate wearing all black if the textures present contrasting differences. I can't say that I can commit to wearing all black as a style preference, but I do appreciate the opportunity to challenge myself to wear all black in ways that feel authentic to who I am.

I keep checking this thread because it's so fascinating to read everyone's comments. It really shouldn't come as a surprise that we all have such strong opinions about color because our reactions to it are so visceral and personal, especially when it comes to our own wardrobes. For example, I really detest chocolate brown when worn with any shade of yellow, but I have absolutely no idea why I have such a strong reaction to that particular combination. Our psychological connections and reactions to different colors are as varied as are our personalities.

Which makes me all the more curious as to why anyone would ever tell another person she ought to avoid, or change, certain colors in her wardrobe. Objectively, I might look good in chocolate brown and yellow, but the thought of wearing such a combination truly makes me nauseous. And, while I also theoretically understand that Suz's vision of a sea of black coats in a winter cityscape could be viewed as a depressing monotone, I also know that seeing pops of tomato red and citron in such a setting would be more unsettling than enervating to me. I like the monotone palette of blacks, greys, and silvery whites in winter because I find that austere palette restful after the hectic colors of fall.

I guess my point is that how we see color is so subjective and personal that we ought not to be swayed by desparaging, or even well-intended, comments about our own color choices. I'll assiduously avoid "pops of color" and sugary pastels in my wardrobe of monotone neutrals while back your right to wear your wardrobe of many hues--and that includes your right to combine chocolate brown and yellow if it makes your heart sing. Just don't make me give up my black winter coats. Or my black dresses. And my black cashmere is definitely off limits

This discussion and comments have been most interesting. I hope I am not and do not come across as judgmental about the color/non-color choices of others. I used to wear a lot of black and noticed I would get compliments when I would wear color or at least wear coral. I also wore black as a default, i.e. due to laziness and because offerings in Petite sizes are often black even if a whole range of colors is offered in regular sizes.

YLF pulled me out of laziness. My skin is not pale, and even when black my hair color was brownish black, so black looks okay on me but not wonderful. Now, with pepper'n'salt hair (not yet salt'n'pepper!) IMHO black and white prints look pretty good on me as they bookend my hair and the contrast provides the brightness I need. I have come to accept that I also lack the drama and sophistication gene that goes best with all black. (Round face; no cheekbones.) Instead, I am embracing the touch of fun/whimsy (but NOT girly/femme) or rebellion that I seem to require.

Oh I'm late to all the deep discussions! How did I miss this one?

I love black and I love your black outfits especially! Black has always been my theme neutral but I have to admit that advancing "wisdom and experience" has left me less happy with solid black near my face. Up til my early 40's it set off my extreme paleness in a dramatic porcelain doll kind of way. Sadly, now it sets off my extreme paleness in a tired, harsh kind of way.

But I'm with Catnip...just add color. My favorite look is brights grounded by black. I love the contrast and richness that black gives to the colors.

In fact, that is my philosophy of black...it is the most democratic, diplomatic color, getting along with everyone and not needing the spotlight to shine. Black makes everything around it better. Black is the kind of personality I aspire to!

Now, can we talk about why pink is so maligned? Almost more than black actually. So many people see pink as a political, anti-feminist statement and it is so unfair. Pink is just a color, not an idealism. But women can get downright hostile in their I hate pink attitude!

*taking a momentary break from the shows*

This thread made me smile. Colour (and I include neutrals when I say colour) evokes emotive responses. And that's clear from the responses here.

Gaylene, make sure you don't bump into me in Winter and Spring because my choice of coat colour will unsettle you. *winking with a hug*

FWIW, Debs, this is how I feel about black (no surprises I'm sure):

• I love black. My wardrobe wouldn't function without it. It's part of my much loved black and white outfit style. But I add it and wear it in extremely controlled and discerning doses, and always make a point of brightening and softening things up. Otherwise I feel it looks harsh and unattractive. Plus, wearing lots of black makes me unhappy - so I am cautious.
• My specs and lipstick help soften black quite a bit.
• All my clients and friends wear black in some form or another.
• I 100% feel that ink blue is softer on us all.
• I 100% feel that shades of white are easier to wear than black.
• I firmly believe in the power and chic of black, but I also firmly believe in its draining, drab and unflattering effect.
• Wearing black in a flattering way is not easy, yet people fall back on it because they think it's easy, and assume it looks fab when to my eye, it doesn't. Of course. This is subjective.
• I *almost* have a poison eye for all black outfits. I am hard to please in this regard - like cropped pants. But when it's done well, I fully applaud the look. I do NOT have poison eye for all black outfits and cropped pants. Let that be noted and not misquoted.
• I very generally don't fancy black on super soft or low contrast complexions. Or brunettes with pale skin and brown eyes. As soon as you put these complexions in ink blue, eggplant or charcoal, their faces light up. It's incredible how big the difference is. But when these complexions wear black WITH another colour, it's very effective.So there you go.
• Brunettes with brown hair and light eyes look great in black - either olive or pale skin. Salt & Pepper hair and red hair looks great with black. Ash blondes look good in black, especially when they have light eyes. "Winters" (Colour Theory) look fab in black. Asian colouring looks great in black. Note: Again these are VERY general opinions, and by no means gospel. There are plenty of exceptions. I dress people for a living and you learn a thing or two about colour when you get a lot of practice. In fact, I am not supposed to wear black according to Colour Theory, but I do - very carefully.

Remember ladies, that this forum is full of subjective opinions. We are allowed to have them as long as we are respectful and appreciate that what makes us happy is different.

Hear, hear. I am an unashamed blackoholic for all the positive associations here. Honestly, I had no idea it generated such strong opinions.

OTOH, I find white just about impossible to wear. But this is just for me and my wardrobe. I love seeing all colors on all people who love wearing them. That is what makes fashion fun.

I need to learn to wear white! Loved the article on white pants working my nerve up to buy some this year!

I've read this with great interest. I love black. I don't remember when it became the dominant color in my wardrobe but I certainly don't have any plans to reduce its representation. In fact, while I am working on having a more cohesive wardrobe limiting my color palette, it is other colors that may lose their place.

I don't normally wear all black outfits but I'm not opposed to it, especially when the pieces have texture.

To me, black just has a richness and an elegance to it that other colors don't seem to match. It can be simple or dramatic, dressy or casual.

Did I mention that I love black?