Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wearing Black Responsibly

Black is getting a lot of flack, I've noticed. It is a shade associated with obnoxious matchmakers and "typically" dressed females. 

I possess very few all-black outfits. Two suits, tops. OK, I'll confess to three black dresses.


While I do object to daily all-blackness, it is still, no matter how one slices it, an excellent choice for weddings; black is always appropriate for evening wear, shoes are a breeze, it slenderizes the figure, and black stockings are an option. (Although I do have wedding wear that is distinctly not black, which I don season permitting). 

But for ensembles, mix it up. 

I find that matching two shades of black is difficult; one black looks bluer or grayer by comparison. Therefore, I rarely wear a black skirt and black top together. 

For instance, I have a great black sweater. The skirt I wear with it is red. Sometimes white. Maybe camel. Pretty much anything but black. Black tops really makes the face pop—black is a very flattering hue to the face.  
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/12/09/t-magazine/09-prefall-herrera/09-prefall-herrera-tmagSF.jpg
Carolina Herrera
http://media26.onsugar.com/files/2010/06/26/3/346/3463885/00020m_3.xlarge/i/Moschino-Resort-2011-Collection.jpg
Moschino
As for the black skirt, I have red jackets, winter white jackets, orange jackets, and so forth. 
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/2206613156_4f3ca9943b.jpg
Ralph Lauren
http://www3.pictures.stylebistro.com/it/Moschino+Fall+2011+vBqK8bZJIuml.jpg
Moschino
As for dresses, there are black frocks available with little punches of color.

Letting go of black completely is being rather unreasonable. Black is and should be a staple in women's wardrobes, but a balance should be found to snazz it up. Like colorful shoes or brooches. 
http://www.runningwithheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/stilettos.jpg

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