WIW :: Coral, Column, Colour, Navy + Case Study Navy vs. Black

Today's outfit may be too similar to yesterday's one, but I'm posting it in any case because it was an interesting experiment. Besides, as a serious outfit repeater and big fan of outfit formulas, this approach is a reflection of my real life

About the outfit:

Photo 1 :: I went for navy-ish base column, which consisted of navy turtleneck and dark jeans. I used the same coral cardigan as the day before and I added the short(*) and eye-catching necklace. I also wore booties instead of boots, echoing that navy feels lighter than black.

(*)But, as AJ would ask, which navy outfit did actually leave the house? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on both necklaces, which one do you find more interesting, or more suitable for me?

Photo 2 :: Close up of the necklaces.

Photo 3 :: The outfit without the necklace, just as an illustration why I went for the additional piece to add more interest to the outfit. Other options would include only one of these instead of the necklace: different belt, scarf or chunky bracelet, but since I'm doing Column of Colour challenge I wanted to keep most of the vertical line unbroken.

Photo 4 & 5 :: Side by side black and navy (with both necklaces), even with adjusting the monitor contrast the difference is not that obvious because of lighting when I photographed them, but I think you can get an idea. I've read most of (the problem of too many good threads and too little time to follow them all) Deborah's recent thread about wearing black and Angie's words on it led me to this experiment in the first place. I don't know if you have any preferences between black and navy two on me, I personally liked both and they definitely felt different.

Thanks for your time. Comments, suggestions and observations are most welcome.

12 years ago

Catnip

Veteran

I seem to like the black and the navy columns equally, although they do look different. The black is a little dressier.

I like the outfit (either black or navy) without a necklace, but might prefer it with a longer necklace... that is, one longer than those in the photos, perhaps 24 inches or so. I generally prefer turtlenecks worn with longer necklaces.

Sara L.

I like the short sparkly necklaces with the outfits. I think the outfit looks a little plain without the necklaces and agree that it needs a little embellishment. Unfortunately, on my monitor I can't see much difference between the navy and black versions, but I'm sure in real life the difference is much more obvious.

Caro in Oz

I think the navy is more harmonious & the black is more dramatic. Both work they are just different. I don't think the outfit needs a necklace but again that is personal taste

Suz

(website)

Interesting, Ornella! I agree that both the black and navy versions work well on you. The navy is of course more casual, with denim. I like the navy with the coloured necklace slightly more, although I'm not sure why. Of course I highly approve of the round necklace with the black! Like Catnip, I wonder how it would look with a longer chain. I do think it works short, like this, but might work even better at a longer length.

I think you wear black very well indeed. Your high contrast colouring supports it and it does not overwhelm you as it might a lower contrast person. Also, I think black plus a colour or another neutral is easier to wear than all-black -- for almost any of us.

gryffin

Ornella - they are all beautiful outfits! I like both necklaces and the cardi is a gorgeous color for you. I like you very much in both black and navy. It was interesting because from all the posts and comments, I expected black to diminish your coloring but assuming the lighting and all else are equal, to me the black makes your cheeks, lips, eyes and hair color more vivid. You are gorgeous in both photos but to me you are more vivid and sparkly in black. I am a huge "black" fan and I wear it for that reason, it seems to pop my coloring but I've never done a comparison with navy but from the negative comments on black I thought it might be the opposite that the black would be harsh and draining!! So this was a very happy and instructive surprise. Which did you like best IRL? I liked the pink necklace best since it references the coral sweater and gives it cohesion and I'm a belt girl!! But all permutations were fab!!

Ornella

Thank you Catnip, Sara, caro and Suz. Longer necklaces are the option by all means and something that, following falling back in love with the necklaces in general, I feel inspired to reach for again, especially since the whole Column of Colour had opened my eyes to new possibilities.

gryffin :: I preferred the black outfit myself, for the reasons you mentioned - they seem to enhance my colouring more, plus I personally prefer stronger contrasts which black seems to offer in this case. Thanks for your kind comment, I'm happy the exercise was useful for you too as I did have second thoughts whether to post today or not

Helena

Hi there, I too like both! The black looks dressier to me and a little sleeker; however, that also might be because it looks more like a solid line, whereas the belted jeans makes the other feel more casual and highlight the separation of the pieces (imho). So there's a little more going on with that outfit.

I particularly love the round necklace!

Both very nice! Thanks for providing the navy/black comparison; it continues to fascinate me!

Sona

I much prefer the navy/blue column of color. I think I am seeing now why Angie says blue is softer on most people- I think that is what is appealing to me! I also favor a longer necklace- reach into that jewelry box with abandon!

kellygirl

The denim looks less strict to my eye. I think the black looks pretty amazing though. For MOTG, I think I would probably opt for the navy but both look terrific. I love the silver pendant the best for some reason. I like the other necklaces but I love the silver one.

I can see why this is a uniform of sorts. I'm all about uniforms and repeats.

Deborah

Great post Ornella. And you look equally gorgeous in both the black and the navy. In this instance I do prefer the black version (and despite my own love of black and don't always default to preferring black on people, for some it simply doesn't work) because I am attrached to the drama, sophistication and elegance of the black version here. The blue is more relaxed and casual. The other thing I particularly noticed is in the black version the tneck appears to be untucked and this creates an unbroken column to my eye which I prefer... of course that is just my personal preference. Both outfits are stellar.

Your comments are kind and insightful, torontogirl, Sona and Kelly. Thank you.

Deborah :: I've been thinking about your words and I think you are spot on about the navy base outfit feeling a bit broken compared to the black one. These are the only two ingredients I could reach for to attempt the combination, but I do wonder whether things would look a bit different if I left the top untucked. I think I won't post the third attempt with the coral cardigan, but I will experiment with it. Thanks for your view and food for thought.

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