May I join your black bench? I love what's been said here and find myself nodding along.

My favorite outfit this week was almost all black- black leggings, a long black cardigan with nice texture over a dark floral top with black back ground and black boots. The boots added more texture as they have a snakeskin print toe.

I think that black was originally a default, as in thinking that anything goes with black pants. But it is a more deliberate choice now. Black is still my predominant color in bottoms, in a variety of styles and textured. Almost any pattern I have is black based as well. And I totally embrace that now. I just feel like me in black.

Mine was default black but is slowly turning to more deliberate textured black, or all shades of grey (both hair and outfits!). I find a sort of RATE combo of black and grey to be my favorite version. Fun thread - sorry it took me so long to reply!

Deborah - I agree, and as I know you've already imagined, I am in the trenches with you on this issue. But I find any blanket dogmatic declaration offensive. I don't think the world is one size fits all - ever. In fact, the fastest way to get me to do something is to tell me I can't!! I think it took me a long time to learn to trust myself. I'd rather wear something I love -black, long jackets, leggings and feel fabulously authentic and good about my style choices than to follow current lauded styles that I don't love. I think that's the essense of choosing style over fashion, but although most blogs laude this, they don't dwell on the negative feedback from the mainstream that we might get because of those choices. But I'm just fine with that - I'd rather be one of one, than one of many!! Of course, always really nice to have congenial company in the individualist section!!
Susie - we're scooching over right now to make room!! Brrrrrrrrrr it's all and thank god the bench is getting chummy and warm!! oooooooooooohhhh your outfit sounds wonderful and you do have absolutely the best amazing shoe/boot collection!! Glad to have you on team blackout!
Una - you do have amazing hair. I wish my hair had your texture that I could wear your choppy long bob. You wear black amazing well. Right now I am also doing a lot of mixing of charcoal/black and texture - I always feel elegant and chic in this palate and it absolutely lends itself to rate looks. I know you've done blue but were you thinking of doing gray in your hair? If anyone could carry that off you could. Wow, I'm kind of crushing on that thought!

Actually, my goal is to do the blue and then let it fade to a silvery color - it's kind of doing that right now but all over would be fun. I want manga silver-blue, not old lady silver-blue.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/185069865912562395/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/445645325601932428/

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/518899188288412587/

Una - OMG that is so beyond stunning!! I think the concept is amazing and I am positive it would look divine on you. My only concern is how would this effect your hair? It looks like it would require vast amounts of color stripping and in my field I see a lot of women who over process their hair and have to deal with chronic fragility and breakage. But if it could be done safely, it's an amazing look!! PS I just bought the EF velvet vines dress below. I know you have the kooples, which btw looks amazing on you, wasn't sure you wore sleeveless but I thought I'd pass it along, fwiw!!

I am probably 50% grey anyway so it would be a matter of letting the color wash out slowly. No more hair damage for me at this point in life!

Love the dress. Am staying away from sleeveless but anxious to see it on you... Any chance of a pic?

gryffin...Your first paragraph in your reply to Deborah is IT!!!...This is exactly how I feel...perhaps I have not been able to articulate it...Listen: you said
---any blanket dogmatic declaration is offensive
----fastest way to get me to do something is to tell me I can't do it
----took me a long time to trust myself...(YES!!!)
----rather wear something I love..leggings, long jackets,and feel fabulous and authentic about my style than to wear something I don't love which is trendy...
-----I'D RATHER BE ONE OF ONE THAN ONE OF MANY.....YES!!!!!
As Professor Higgins said to Eliza Doolittle..."By George,she's got it.."
And to you griffin...by George you have defined me...I am going to copy this..
and I am going to do a cross-stitch pillow of one of one rather than one of many...smiles for all....

Una - sounds like a good plan! Can't wait to see that color on you!! I'll try to get you a picture. It's a four seasons dress. The XS is a bit roomy on me, I am seeing if they can find an XXS since the PP was too short. It's a different silhouette for me, one of the jfe type, but I quite like it. I would have gone for the kooples in a heart beat but I'm 5'3" and I think with the sheer insert it's goingn to be too short. So happy that you'll get to enjoy it!!
Crutcher - that is so sweet!! I'm glad that my thoughts were helpful to you and I love MFL!! I think I might have to rewatch tonight!! Anyway, back to subject, I think the crux of the issue is that being authentic, being true to yourself, requires confidence, self-knowledge and, in a word, bravery. We are each unique (if you're a Babylon 5 fan - "we are star stufff!") the trick is to embrace it and to own it, at least that's what I am trying to do!! Can't wait to see the cross stitch - talented girl!!

I love black, but I'm not sure that it loves me, so recently I have been trying to go for more greys. I think it's a combination of my lingering goth sensibilities, the abundance of black in larger sizes, and the fact that it is a safe/practical color (meaning it's almost always appropriate and matches just about anything).

Sometimes I do a "grey out" but some part of me worries that I evoke an elephant when I do so. 0_o

As I get older, I'm preferring a white-out on me to a black-out. I still sometimes do black-outs, and agree with all of your points. However, I'm finding that whites and shades of cream/taupes with whites tend to work a bit better with my aging face....

I occasionally do black-out and quite enjoy doing so, since it gives me a chance to play with textures (one of the few fashion tricks I can do without help). For New Year's Eve last year, for instance, I wore black tonally patterned faux-suede pants, an irredescent black blouse with silver details down the placket and around the cuffs, black patent pumps and long silver earrings to pick up the details in the top. I did carry a two-toned colourful clutch to add some punch, but clothing-wise it was all black and felt terrific.
I'm quite intrigued by ink or white-out, though, as I've heard those neutrals both work well on me. I don't have the requisite pieces, but would love to give it a go some day.
Your reply

Mander - you totally crack me up!! You could never resemble an elephant, but isn't weird what associations our minds make. My son once told me he liked my black skirt suit because it made me look more goth! Yup, out of the mouths of babes - just proving you can never tell how others will perceive you. But the most important thing is to pick what makes you feel great - what ever that is!
jackie - I think with your coloring whiteout would be totally stunning. I don't think anyone should have to commit to an eternal palate. Preferences change, life changes, we change and the wise woman reacts to that and evolves to be her best self right now. Sounds like you've achieved that magic fluid place of know thyself - that's a really great place to be!!

I have always loved to wear black and from high school on it was a defining feature. Now I wear it much less - not specifically due to aging but perhaps experimenting. Blanket statements are suffocating.

Griffin- I recalled that at the time that photo was taken I was "into" witches. It was when our school district had a strike for weeks, and my mom (ex-English teacher) was teaching us & neighborhood kids at home, reading Macbeth to us. Then we went back to school, and I was smitten with the witches from Macbeth. I drew pictures of witches and wrote stories about witches. This must be why I wanted to dress all in black.

Early childhood imprints aside -- I still love black and it's not for emotional reasons or even because I think it makes me look slimmer. At least I don't think it is?? I can just say ... on subject of navy: I rarely feel like "me" in denim. For first time in my life, I'm wearing denim but it still isn't quite me. I prefer my denim with a shot of..... black! And a touch of white or cream too.

On subject of gray, I do like gray but (whether a light or a dark gray) it has to have a blue undertone. And has to be worn mixed, with either black or white/cream.

There's a theme here and it's that I like to mix. I don't like white out or blackout or gray out or navy out... I like and feel best in a mix.

To Una -- I cannot believe you are 50% gray!!! No way!

To Deborah-- I adore all your outfits and if I could pull them off, I would in a heartbeat. I think your coloring is naturally more high contrast, which is why you pull it off so well.

Grays are my favorite " ____-out" outfits - with blues-out, and ivory/cream-outs in a tie for 2nd and 3rd!

Interesting thought, Gryffin. I'm unquestionably a blue-out, epecially if the blue is soft and slatey. Too much black just weighs me down, but a touch of black with my best gray-blue monochrome, plus a bit of soft white, is amazing. White reflects light onto the face, and black adds sophistication. Thank goodness we don't all look good in the same colors--that would make for a boring world!

Like many others here ... I don't do any colour out! But I am most likely to do shades of blue as my black-out. Navy, ink and cobalt are my shades of blue and I frequently wear them together ... Mostly with black accents.

I do not like blackout on myself. Too dark for my skin tone (plus black hair, brown eyes).

Gryffin .... We have to see your picture in blackout and long blazer When I imagine you .... I think of Matrix

Michelle- I love texture rich outfit. I gives to much depth and subtle interest. Because my wardrobe is so monochromatic this is an area I'm finally trying to concentrate on. Your New Year's outfit sounds absolutely beautiful!! There's no points off Michele for adding color, jewelry etc. It's more an exploration of what makes you happy, what makes that outfit sing for you. Your happiness level is the only thing that really counts. My outfits are not usually straight black either, but it doesn't mean I won't wear blackout and feel fab - just pick of the day. You have beautiful coloring that lends itself to dark neutrals. I think you'd look amazing in ink. I think we all just have to keep trying things, like whiteout for you, and see how it looks and how it feels!!
Shevia - I think many would find a total unbroken column of color make them happy. It's all about what flatters you and makes you feel wonderful.
Shiny - I love Macbeth. I can still quote the speech from Lady Macbeth "That which has made them drunk hath made me bold. What hath quenched them hath given me fire..." Girl, your talking to someone born on Halloween to a woman born on Friday 13th who's a scorpio! I totally get it. I actually wanted to be Samantha in "Bewitched" a good witch although I did not wear black as a child or teen - too sophisticated, formal, powerful - only in my mid 20's did I start wearing black and I've never looked back. That's interesting about denim, might I ask, who do you wear it? Would black denim or white denim feel differently? Although the fabric does wear like iron, would you be happier in a different fabrication all together? Plus nothing wrong with the mix. I never meant to imply that monochromatic in any color was something one should do, only interested to see who likes it and if so which neutral and the all important "why."
Marley - you have beautiful mid-tone coloring so I can see why you would gravitate to medium tone neutrals. They seem like they would be incredibly flattering, enhancing without overwhelming.
tulle - Blue is my favorite color and that almost wedgewood color, but deeper if I have it picture right in my head, is glorious. Yes with touches of black and white - elegant, sophisticated, calm or dramatic - I adore this palate. You could build a whole wardrobe around that - just fantastic!!
Neel - I like black because it provides maximum contrast with my coloring, but that criteria, it would not showcase you!! I am sure you look fantastic in blues and you can wear white and light colors which make suck all the life out of my coloring. Not enough make up in the universe for that. Also I would think light icy colors (don't ask about the ice mauve jacket may it rip) would look divine! Plus nobody mixes it up like you do. Nothing wrong with that!! Kudos!!

Interesting thread!

I do tend to blackout rather than whiteout, or blue out etc... But it is not my most common look, I often wear a more mixed range of colours.

I love blackout for its simplicity yet complexity, and for the ease it provides. Black pieces don't tend to date as quickly as patterns.

I have four blackout looks

Turtleneck, skinnies and boots
Tank shorts and sandals
Black dress and heels
Black gym wear!

What I need is a black winter coat....mid weight...dressy! And a new black blazer. Both on my list for next autumn/ winter.

kiwigal - I like the sound of all your outfits. I have a minimalist look and the descriptions are all sleek and elegant. I finally found my dress coat, courtesy of Angie and NAS - the elie tahari greece coat. Still waiting to wear it. So many factors go into that perfect coat. So best of luck on the hunt - I am sure something wonderful will turn up!!

I'm on the "loves black but it doesn't love me back" team. I still do it occasionally. Recently I posted a mostly black outfit and asked if it was passable (esp. the black turtleneck) or too aging and unflattering. Of course, I got some aging/unflattering feedback. But I think I'm not going to ask that anymore because sometimes I feel like wearing black EVEN IF it is aging. So what, if I look older than 56 for the day, maybe I will still look chic and mysterious. Why is looking young the style element that trumps everything else? Just as one needs a break from the prison of figure flattery.

Anyway, I do feel more comfortable and calm in grey-out although that's probably not flattering on me either. I'm one of those who looks best in corals, pinks, and blues. I do wear them but -- these colors do not reflect my personality. I would feel fake if I only wore these kinds of colors.

I have thought, many times, of coloring my hair lighter so I could better pull off dark colors. But I'm lazy and like my hair, which looks different depending on the light.

I have a very complicated relationship with black: it is definitely not my best and flattering color and it does not make me feel fab when I wear all black. I can appreciate a blackout looks on others when they are done well and suit the wearer both physically and personality wise. I do not appreciate blackout outfits when they are done because it is safe, because "anybody can wear black", because "black goes with everything" - opposite blanket statements which are no less irritating.
As for myself I am most likely to do a whiteout outfit but usually I prefer tonal outfits to monochromatic ones: shades of white and pastels, black with ink, charcoal and dark brown - this is more my cup of tea that a complete "somethingt-out".

Thought my fellow blackout sisters might appreciate this quote

Black and white have a key position with me because of their caliber of calm
and quiet, that allows the actual form to appear in its brightest shape. The
same applies to the monochromatic palette. New life is given to exploitation of
juxtaposition among fabric and textures.
~ Barbara Í Gongini

Barbara Gongini is from Denmark and makes some incredible clothing.

Cocolion - you have gorgeous hair, I would not want to color it either. I can't remember seeing you in black but whatever you wear it's interesting, unfussy and dang woman totally cool. You rock the clint look better than anyone - I can't catagorize you, you're unique and that's the way it should be. But you always look fantastic in whatever you wear!! PS channel your inner french woman, youth is great - elegance, intelligence, true style come with time and self knowledge!
Sveta - you wear so many color well. Always so elegant! But I do love your black coat - uber elegant!!
Deborah - great quote. I must remember and ponder that!!