Your fall and winter schedule can fill up quickly—it seems as if every week has a party, a gathering with friends, a networking mixer, or some other kind of event you’re planning to attend. Who has time to be stressing out over what to wear? It’s why so many people count on black as their all-occasion, dress-it-up or dress-it-down choice that minimizes a lot of overthinking.
Don’t think of black as something for funerals or overly formal occasions. Black can be the perfect style choice any time, and here are four reasons why:
1. Black is timeless. It seems as if there’s always a hot color of the season, but these trends come and go. Black, on the other hand, never goes out of style, and it works well whether you’re trying to be traditional or trendy. It’s why most women own a black dress and most men own a black suit—these outfits are straightforward and will often last for decades.
2. Black goes with everything—and is easier to accessorize. When you wear black, you never have to worry about whether it matches. Black clothes pair with other black clothes, and they work equally well with colors. Fashion sensibilities of the past discouraged trying to match black with brown or navy, but that’s not the case anymore. Black isn’t ostentatious, but it’s still stately enough that you’ll stand out in a crowd when you wear it.
3. Black helps you feel confident. When you wear too many colors or patterns, it’s easy to get overstimulated, even by our own outfits. Black tends to mellow out our emotions—many people who wear black say it helps them feel grounded. Plus, black communicates a sense of sophistication and authority, which is one of the reasons it works well not only at parties but also in professional environments.
4. Black flatters everyone. There are plenty of colors that don’t work for everyone. Not the case with black—it tends to look good with all complexions, on all body types, and for any age or gender.
TIPS FOR WEARING BLACK
Still not feeling totally confident about wearing black? Here are tips for a great look:
1. Vary your fabrics and textures so your all-black ensemble isn’t too much of the same. 2. Add at least one statement accessory or element of color to every outfit, which will pop against the rest of your black attire. 3. Dress in layers, which, like texture, will add an element of interest and variety. 4. Make sure your black clothes are well taken care of and unfaded by washing them with gentle detergents in cold water.
