When in doubt... wear black!
August 11th 2009 12:51
We've all been there. Staring into the depths of our closets as the minutes tick by, feeling utterly uninspired by what is hanging there before us. We need to look just right, and yet we don't have the time to shop for something new. It's moments like these that we need to remember the mantra of the truly stylish: when in doubt, wear black!
You hear it all the time: "[insert trendy thing here] is the new black." What, may I ask, is wrong with the old black? It's timeless, it's slimming, it's elegant and it's neat. It goes with absolutely everything. It never clashes with what your man or your friends are wearing, and it can be a delightful backdrop for bright or shiny accessories. More than a quarter of my clothes are black. Brights, patterns, pastels and neutrals most certainly have their place, but when it comes to the crunch... BLACK is the new black!
There's a few rules when it comes to wearing black. The first is obvious: don't allow your black to fade. There is washing powder designed specifically for black garments on the market now, so use it to prolong the life of your clothes. Secondly, if you're doing head-to-toe black, be prepared to either show a little skin, or break it up with other colours. Thirdly, if you're wearing black very close to your face, like with a scarf or high-necked top, your makeup will need to be slightly more vibrant than usual to stop your face from appearing washed out. Aside from these rules, just about anything goes when it comes to wearing black.
Perhaps the best thing of all about black is the way that it makes your accessories stand out. You can really load up on accessories if you want to - sunglasses, scarf, earrings, belt, watch, rings and funky shoes, all at once - because it's the details of your outfit that will be noticed, standing out from a backdrop of the most classic shade of all.
Angelina and Brad work un-boring black
You hear it all the time: "[insert trendy thing here] is the new black." What, may I ask, is wrong with the old black? It's timeless, it's slimming, it's elegant and it's neat. It goes with absolutely everything. It never clashes with what your man or your friends are wearing, and it can be a delightful backdrop for bright or shiny accessories. More than a quarter of my clothes are black. Brights, patterns, pastels and neutrals most certainly have their place, but when it comes to the crunch... BLACK is the new black!
The Kardashians do black (winner: Kim)
There's a few rules when it comes to wearing black. The first is obvious: don't allow your black to fade. There is washing powder designed specifically for black garments on the market now, so use it to prolong the life of your clothes. Secondly, if you're doing head-to-toe black, be prepared to either show a little skin, or break it up with other colours. Thirdly, if you're wearing black very close to your face, like with a scarf or high-necked top, your makeup will need to be slightly more vibrant than usual to stop your face from appearing washed out. Aside from these rules, just about anything goes when it comes to wearing black.
Gwyneth needs another colour while Nicole gets it just right
Perhaps the best thing of all about black is the way that it makes your accessories stand out. You can really load up on accessories if you want to - sunglasses, scarf, earrings, belt, watch, rings and funky shoes, all at once - because it's the details of your outfit that will be noticed, standing out from a backdrop of the most classic shade of all.
Any other colour and Victoria's gloves would be too much. Because she's wearing black, they're fabulous
Reese borders on bland in this suit. Quick fix: accessories!
Jennifer Aniston works the classic LBD
Jessica Biel: perfection
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Comment by teiku
Teiku
I'd love your advice, Peachy Eye for the Regular Guy!
Comment by Journeywoman
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My boyfriend went to work this morning wearing all black, and looked amazing (in my opinion, of course)... no Roy Orbison risk there! Personally I think black works for everyone, men and women, although I am far more expert in women's fashion than I am in men's so you'll probably find more valuable advice on a website that caters specifically to men. I would have thought that the black rule was as steadfast for men as it was for women but I could be wrong.
Wish I could help, because Peachy Eye for the Regular Guy - I love that!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Natalina
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I think men look sexy in black too. Just skip the big black shades and they should be able to avoid the Orbison look
Comment by Journeywoman
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Natalina, I couldn't agree more, it's the black that makes the colour really pop! And if it suits you then there's no reason why you shouldn't keep wearing it. I know I will be
Comment by teiku
Teiku
You're welcome to trademark "Peachy Eye for the Plain Guy" -- throw me a small percent of the residuals when you license the clothing line
I know zzzzzzzip about fashion - I'm a teacher, I'm male, I'm married. Three strikes, right? But I enjoy the writing style that goes with fashion journalism and you do a great job!
Comment by Journeywoman
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You'll love it here. Blogging really allows you to express yourself the way you want to, and you can write about whatever interests you, a luxury I was never afforded when I worked as a "real" journo!
Anyone can learn how to be fashionable - be interested, and observant, and you'll get there! Thanks again for the lovely comment.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I knew nothing of Wintour and American Vogue before seeing the doco.
Wintour certainly come across as icy and with a hard work ethic ... Yes, the doco touched on her bringing fur back in the early 90s, but I assumed they were talking about faux fur ...
The more interesting person was Creative Director, Grace Coddington, I loved her artistic eye re: the fashion spreads.
Comment by Journeywoman
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She's an amazing businesswoman, you have to give her that, but her outfits are usually as hideous as her personality so I can't give her much credit as a fashionista. Yes Grace Coddington has been Wintour's right-hand woman for decades and is the one with the real taste (so I'm told). I feel compelled to boycott The September Issue, but I am curious nonetheless...
Comment by Alain
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Comment by Wilson Pon
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Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
I Dream of Hollywood
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Thanks Bryn, yes fashion is an art to be sure, therefore open to individual interpretation... Sometimes I see celebs on other blogs' worst-dressed lists and go, "I'd wear that!" I probably will end up seeing the Vogue doco out of curiosity.
Wilson, no not everyone in this article is looking good in their black - Gwyneth and Reese, specifically - because they didn't follow the "rules". They both wore too much of it without showing skin or having interesting accessories, that's why I used those pics to show that black needs to be worn a certain way. Thanks for the comment!
Comment by Alain
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Comment by Janet Collins
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