The color black has become a target lately. It seems a lot of fashion writers and image consultants want to shoot it down. They're black-listing black. Ultimatums include "No more black." "Never wear black again!" "Get rid of the black!"
There's a time tested saying, "Don't throw the baby out with the bath water." Like the baby, there's nothing wrong with black. There's another saying I'm known for saying, "It's not only what you wear, it's HOW you wear it!"
Yes, if all you wear is black, black, and more black, it gets to be too much black -boring, uninteresting, and tiresome. One "little black dress" for day and one for evening, as well as one set of black core pieces in your wardrobe goes a long way. The key then, is knowing which black pieces to buy and HOW to wear them.
The Little Black Dress
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| A busy black dress doesn't give you options. |
There are dozens of articles out there about the "little black dress," but they get it all wrong. It was originally called the "little" black dress because it was basic, simple in design. There was nothing big, bulky, fussy, or frilly on it. Because the "little black dress" was simple, you could combine endless other garments and accessories with it, changing the way it looks for endless other moods and occasions. In recent years, with much of women's fashions going girlie, fashion writers are picking out fussy, frilly, frou-frou black dresses and labeling them all "little black dresses" when they're not. They're too busy to begin with.
You can't take a bouffant black dress busy with layers of lace, ribbon, ruffles, tiers, or trim and buckle it up with a wide leather belt that looks like it came from a cowboy or reminds you of the military. There's too much contrast. The moods and messages conflict. If it's already trimmed in leather or fur, cute little beads won't cut it. Again, there's too much contrast in the size and signals.
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| A basic sheath dress or shift dress gives you many more options. |
The fitted sheath dress has made a comeback. Now that's a real "little black dress." You can wear it with gold, silver, pearls, or beads; lace or leather; fur or frills. If you have a fuller figure in the bust, midriff, waist, or bottom, make it an inverted-triangular wedge, a rectangular shift or blouson style, or a triangular A-line or flared skirt style to better accommodate your general figure type. Whatever the style, "pinch 'n inch" of ease is a timeless truth for a dress slim effect.
Fabric choice makes the difference between a day or evening dress. Choose a firm, matte-finish fabric for day, and a soft or shiny surface for evening. If you know me, you know my basic black is out of slinky, an acetate knit fabric that hangs vertically. Slinky works for day and evening, as does crepe.
Core Clothes In Black
A matching "suit of clothes" is a must for both men and women. Core pieces in black for men include a basic jacket, slacks, dress and/or sport shirt, and polo or tee. For women, include a basic jacket, skirt and slacks, shirt, and shell or tee. For variety, both men and women could include a sweater and/or a vest. Wear all black if the mood is serious or sophisticated--but not everywhere everyday. That's when black becomes too much, too common, too boring.
Black is a wonderful wardrobe neutral color that doesn't conflict with any other color. Don't you believe that you can't wear black. Every body can wear black if you soften the look of the black or become part of the color scheme with the black. To soften the intensity or assertiveness of black, you can choose a textured fabric that dulls the intensity a little or a lot. Look for crinkle cloth, corduroy, or challis. Some textures will take on a slightly charcoal appearance which makes for a great option for some with lighter coloring.
To become part of the color scheme with black, simply combine black with the color of your hair, your eyes, or skin; blush and lipstick for women. A golden blonde looks marvelous in black and camel coordinate pieces or patterns. An ash blonde or brownette (someone with lighter brown hair) benefits wearing a slightly to very taupe repetition of the hair color. A rusty redhead looks smashing in black and cinnamon rust, or try black, cinnamon, and olive. Wow! Take brown hair or eye color down into black and brown stripes, plaids, or
prints and vary the textures for added interest. Don't believe the old idea that you can't combine black and brown! Of course white, gray, or salt-and-pepper hair makes sense with black and gray combinations, tweedy textures and small-scale patterns in those colors. We have options.
If you have blue, blue-green, or olive-green eyes, wear black with your eye color--denim blue, or teal blue-green, or olive. Repeating your eye color is a natural choice for business negotiation or date-night occasions, in prints, stripes, or plaids as you please.
Repeat your exact skin color with black, be it brown, caramel, rose beige, or golden beige and so on. Because blush is intended to be subtle, it appears to blend beautifully in the eye of the beholder with everything from dusty rose, to rosy-coral to coral-peach to just plain coral or red. It's amazing. It's only when skin goes extremely pink or copper that you want to choose the cooler or warmer blush and lip color. If somebody says you can't, contact me and I'll show or tell you how.
There's more you can do to counter or contrast and still become part of the color scheme with black, but direct repetition is enough for today. The point is, it's not only a matter of wearing black, but HOW much, HOW often, and HOW you wear it that counts. Become part of the color scheme with black and you'll love the variety, the harmony, and rave responses you receive.
To read more information about wardrobe classics and shape as applied to dress and grooming, with instructions and examples regarding people just like you, order Conselle's wardrobe strategy Book #5 Color at $27.97. You'll find charts that will summarize the information and simplify your learning and application. Order through Conselle's Store or call 801-224-1207 and order directly through Kathy. Order Color here!
JC Pennys and Kohls as well as Chadwicks fashion catalog carry lower-price basics. 
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