I used to be a black clothing FIEND.
When I was younger, it was kind of the only colour you could get me to wear. BLACK.
Black top, pants, skirt, suit, everything black.
And just recently, I’ve found my colour tastes changing. I have sworn off wearing black, and have found a new neutral that fits my complexion and skin tone better – GREY.
There are of course, times when all black is chic, wonderful and a perfect backdrop to those blood red heels you’ve been dying to show off.
But for everyday wear, I’ve started to want to change my all-black ways and wear more neutrals with bright necklaces and accessories instead of BLACK with those accessories.
I now feel that I look softer, less tired and less gloomy. People are more likely to assume I’m happy and fresh, and the black doesn’t accentuate the dark black circles under my eyes that is my genetic fate.
It’s not as good as swearing off neutrals forever, but at least with grey there are different shades – dark, medium light, and different mixes – heather grey, speckled grey, dotted grey, and the mixes can be with different colours like pink with grey in very subtle ways.
There are a lot of neutrals you can wear instead of black:
Grey
Ivory
White
Cream
Beige
And dare I also say..
Dusty Rose
Seafoam Green
Burgundy
Forest Green
Navy
Check out these examples below:
I know you don’t really think of them as ‘neutrals’, but maybe it’s time to rethink what a neutral really is.
Neutral: a color, such as white, black, gray, or tan, that blends well with other colors
I think that definition is correct, but old now. Neutrals seem to have expanded their colour palette and pale colours being blended or paired with really vibrant ones seems to be the ‘in’ thing now.
Think of a great buttery yellow top.
It would NOT look good with black (for me, black with brighter colours for example can look cheap). But with seafoam green it may look quite fresh, or with navy for a nautical feel.
And with any of the ivories, whites and creams, it would look fresh and lovely.
Think about that, the next time you go to reach for the black version of some great dress or top that you see in the store. Look at the other colours and consider whether or not you would be willing to swear off black for that coat, and pick the deep burgundy version instead.
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I am guilty of this! You know, I want wearing black at most times. For me, it is very simple yet elegant. But after I read your post, I started thinking if I was really thinking right. I have seen the colors you recommended and I liked it. I’ll definitely try wearing each color every other day . 🙂
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Hi there,
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I used to be the same… I have too many black clothes in my wardrobe… lbd’s especially! But I’m now buying loads of neutral colour… more grey, dusty blue, light pink and pairing them up with my black clothes and they go really well!!
I love wrap dresses! I always love your clothes you show! And I’m not a black fiend, never have been.
I love the top wrap dress!
That mannequin’s boobs are distracting, lol.
I definitely love me some black, but I try to spread that love to dark grey, deep violet/plum colours, navy blue, and burgundy 😛 Nothing quite so bold as that buttery yellow top, lol!!
Loved the post, hon 🙂
Today’s wardrobe: black dress pants, black ankle boots (there’s a pair of white socks in them, don’t tell anyone!), black cardigan, and grey sweater underneath.
I guess I could use some colour reform.
Same wavelength, girl! That dress I need to replace? I’ve been looking at soft greys instead of another black.
I was already planning to blog about clothes. . . it’s just a matter of getting an hour to sit down and do it!
OOOoOOOo Very nice. I have search a shopping ache deep inside my heart right now…
I’m very guilty of overindulging in black…those are some good alternate suggestions, nice colours!
Oh my goodness, I love that burgundy dress! Where is it from???
i agree! i used to want to wear black black and more black because my friends did. i think it was an asian thing when you have ‘gangs’ of them who just wear black. now i still have black clothes- they save me when i have nothing to wear but i like the greys and dusky sort of colours 😛
I love the wrap dresses! I was just blogging about my clothes or lack of! I wonder who else will be today!