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how to wear black

black outfitwardrobe.jpeg

I am sure that you have heard million times that

' Black makes you look slimmer' or 'Black is not a colour, so everybody can wear it well' or 'there are no different colours in stores but black'. 

 

Yeah, yeah, well... let's start from the beginning. 
 

I don't know who told you that black makes you slimmer.. Whoever it was, they were lying :) Because not just black , but all dark colours: blue navy, green forest, indigo, eggplant colour, … As well as monochrome, line pattern and matte fabrics makes you slimmer. If your problem is overweight, the most slimming trick is wearing your colours. A colour that flatters you draws the eye upward to your face and away from your body.  

I have heard X times, that black is not colour. Really? Unfortunately, I must disappoint you. Black is a colour.  It has cool undertone, obviosly dark value and it suit only people with cool undertone and intense colours with high contrast between their skin, hair and eyes (we call them Winters) :) But if you are not a Winter, there is a way how to wear black, continue reading :)

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black on winter palette
Viola davis in black.jpg

I 'love' hearing that somebody bought a black blouse in a store, because they didnt have any different colours. Hmm, I know you are lying to me, girl.. Shops are full of colours, but maybe, if you try looking for your colours, you'd be lucky and yours. But instead of looking for our colours, we go immediately to ailes with black items, abandoning ourselves to a shopping habit

Here's some tips, how wear black ;) thank me later

Mix different fabrics, patterns and textures ... When you’re looking for items, mix textures, such as wool and leather, or sequins and suede to provide contrast without a variety of colours. Since all the items are black, they don't clash with each other.
You can also mix styles and textures, like sheer, flowy tops, and heavy, structured jackets, which will help to create contrast. If you are having the same fabric for the whole outfit for a more cohesive look, make sure all of them have the same dark black shade or use gray instead.

Remember, you don’t have to wear solid black pieces from head to toe. You can add some patterns to break up your look.

Use statement accessories... For casual outfits, draw attention to your style with your footwear. If you’re wearing a form-fitting outfit, go for combat boots, which tend to be larger and chunkier. For flowy, loose-fitting outfits, try structured oxfords or over-the-knee boots to add contrast. If the weather is warmer, try wearing a pair of platform sandals or knee-high gladiator sandals to make a statement.

Show a little bit of skin... Select a dress open back or V-neck dress to show some skin to break up your outfit. For a more masculine look, wear a pair of black distressed denim to show some skin on your legs, which adds visual interest to an outfit.
Use sunglasses for a cool look....Whether you’re going for a classic look or a street-style outfit, black sunglasses make the perfect accessory. If you want to stand out, choose a pair with metal accents in an interesting shape.


Use belts to accentuate your waist ... Cinch your waist with a metal or classic black leather belt to highlight your figure. If you’re wearing a dress or longer overcoat, fasten a belt around your waist to draw attention to your shape and prevent your body from disappearing under layers of black fabric.

Add a stylish black hat... Top off your outfit by throwing on an interesting hat such as leather berets, black ball caps, wide brim felt hats, black denim, or leather bucket hats. This is a great way to dress up a simple all-black outfit, like a black tee and black jeans.

Add an accessory that provides a bit of contrast... Jewelry is one of the best ways to accent an all-black outfit because it’s subtle and eye-catching without clashing with the color of your outfit.

For a feminine formal outfit, choose a statement necklace to draw the eye upward to your face. If you’re wearing a short sleeve dress, stack some chunky bracelets to compliment your look.

For masculine outfits, stick to a thin gold or silver chain necklace or a watch with metal finishes.

Show your figure... Opt to choose more fitted outfits. When you’re wearing all black, fitted clothing will accentuate your shape and help to make you look more polished and put together. If you feel more comfortable in loose-fitting clothes, try to choose an outfit that’s fitted in either your top half or bottom half to provide some contrast.

Finally,
add drama... Choose voluminous pieces, add sheer, use something edgier to the mix, choose statement accessories that pop up, and go for interesting cuts like peplums or statement sleeves; for cool street style vibes use black graphic tees.

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You can see below, three more seasons (Spring, Summer and Autumn) wearing their best black alternatives.  I'm also working on another post ' how to wear neutrals', so keep an eye on your inbox. Please subscribe if you haven't already.  And as always, any questions, please do not hesitate to drop a message, question to the form below.

black on spring palette
black on summer palette
black on winter palette

As you can see, Amy is a Sring and you can say that black is not her friend. Black dress ages her and make face lines around mouth more visible. But in warm chocolate dress, she's stunning. The same applies for Sarah Jessica Parker. Black is just too strong on her. I've found Sarah is similar grey, but she is wearing a face mask on the pic, so instead, I've decided to use model's grey dress - the bestie of summers. 

Right, Autums. Soft and Warm autumns should avoid blacks too. It's not flattering on them. Deep Autums could wear black, but dark brown is much much flattering on them, then black. Look at Zendaya. Dark brown is just stunning on her.

Joe 

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