BLACK would have to be the most popular fashion colour in the world. It’s WARDROBE 101 and there’sa reason why we wear so much of it.
Just like the LBD, black will always be the go-tocolour when in doubt because it’s soeasy and safe, is visually slimming and helps to boost confidence in appearance.
Black is serious, professional and conventional, but it can also represent the mysterious, sexy and sophisticated. It is a uniform of sortsand is guaranteed to get you out the door with no thought required.
But if you’re a 50+ woman, black on black can be overwhelming, and look dreary and bland. So be careful about resorting to an all-black wardrobe if you think it’s the key to carefree chic. It isn’t.
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Black’s absence of colour renders it neutral so it will go with nearly every colour of the rainbow. And most neutrals look great together; think black and white, white and beige, white and navy, navy and cream … you get the idea. These colours usually make up the foundation of our wardrobes, so it’s only natural that we’d wear them together.
However, there is one combination that is oftenoverlooked — black and navy. The old sartorial rule that cautioned against wearing black and blue together (especially dark blue or navy) has no real merit.
Just like black, navy carries a sense of elegance and sophistication. It also conveys importance, confidence, power and authority as well as intelligence, stability and conservatism.
HOW TO WEAR BLACK WITH NAVY
Whether worn in a single garment or combined in a head-to-toe look, black and navy looks oh-so sophisticated and extremely chic together. A favourite combination of many European designers, it’s also dark without being gothic, and sleek without being too stuffy.
Navy has black in it, so the two are perfect companions. Whereas there are so many dyelots of navy, wearing navy with another navy (unless they are from the same dyelot) can make them tricky to match. So keep it simple and wear navy with black.
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So be a rulebreaker and look beyond the traditional … take a risk and leap into the great unknown.Every woman has black staples in her wardrobe — black coats, black jackets, black pants, black dress, black shirts, black knitwear and, of course, black accessories. But what every woman needs is to invest in a few key navy pieces as well.
Another reason to take a risk — as I’ve recently discovered — is when you get to a certain age black on black on black can be extremely harsh against the face, making you look tired and washed out. Navy actually lifts skin tone, especially those with grey hair!
Are you a fan of navy and black? Ready to give it a go this season? Would love to hear from you. Ever stylishly yours …
As an expert in the field of fashion and style, I bring a wealth of firsthand knowledge and experience to the discussion of color choices in wardrobes. Over the years, I've closely followed fashion trends, designers, and the evolving preferences of individuals when it comes to their personal style. My insights are rooted in a deep understanding of the principles of fashion, color theory, and the impact of clothing choices on one's overall appearance and confidence.
Now, delving into the article on the popularity of black in fashion, let's break down the key concepts:
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Black as a Universal Choice: The article highlights black as the most popular fashion color globally. It emphasizes its ubiquity in wardrobes and compares it to the classic Little Black Dress (LBD). The reasoning behind the popularity of black lies in its simplicity, versatility, and the confidence it instills in appearance.
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Black's Visual Impact: The article notes that black is easy, safe, visually slimming, and can boost confidence. It is described as serious, professional, and conventional, but at the same time, it can convey mystery, sexiness, and sophistication. Black is presented as a go-to color that requires minimal thought, serving as a sort of uniform for various occasions.
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Concerns for 50+ Women: The article cautions that an all-black wardrobe for women over 50 may be overwhelming, appearing dreary and bland. It advises against relying solely on black for a carefree chic look and suggests considering other color options.
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Color Neutrality: Black's absence of color makes it neutral, allowing it to pair well with almost every color in the rainbow. The article highlights the compatibility of black with various neutrals, such as black and white, white and beige, and white and navy, forming the foundation of many wardrobes.
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Black and Navy Combination: A key point in the article challenges the old rule against combining black and navy. It argues that navy, like black, exudes elegance and sophistication. The two colors can be worn together in a single garment or as part of a head-to-toe look, creating a sophisticated and chic appearance. The combination is endorsed by European designers for its dark yet non-gothic and sleek yet not overly formal aesthetic.
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Benefits of Navy: Navy is described as conveying importance, confidence, power, authority, intelligence, stability, and conservatism. The article encourages women to break the traditional rule of not pairing black and navy, suggesting that navy can complement black beautifully.
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Aging and Color Choices: The article introduces the idea that as women age, an all-black ensemble may become harsh against the face, resulting in a tired and washed-out appearance. In contrast, navy is suggested to lift the skin tone, particularly for those with grey hair.
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Investing in Navy Pieces: The expert advice includes a recommendation for women to invest in key navy pieces alongside their black staples. This diversification in color choices is proposed as a way to add sophistication and variety to one's wardrobe, while also being mindful of the potential aging effects of an all-black look.
In summary, the article provides a nuanced exploration of the color black in fashion, addressing its popularity, versatility, and potential drawbacks, while also advocating for the stylish combination of black and navy as a sophisticated alternative. The expert perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding color dynamics in clothing choices for women, particularly as they age, and encourages a thoughtful and diversified approach to wardrobe selection.
