If «see black» is synonymous with a pessimistic soul, choosing to wear it, however, is often associated with positive values such as safety, elegance, refinement.
For this reason, both stars and ordinary people – so to speak – prefer it on important occasions when they need to communicate a reassuring and authoritative image, just as it proves to be the case in everyday life. a priceless and versatile wildcard non-color when you don't know what to wear, also with a strategic slimming effect that certainly doesn't hurt. But is going totally black always a winner?
We'll tell you: unfortunately not. Black, in fact, it may prove to be not very giving for some, not very suitable in certain situations and especially, it can hide the true personality of whoever carries it. But let's go in order.
Who is okay with it and who isn't?
To resolve this Hamlet-like doubt it may be useful to rely onarmochromy, or the analysis of colors that enhance a person's appearance based on the complexion and the combined characteristics of skin, eyes and hair. As he explains to us Sonia Chirico, expert image consultant, personal shopper and member of the Image Consultants International association, «in color harmony, the color black is considered a timeless classic that can be worn elegantly for several seasons. However, there are some nuances that manage to enhance it more, like those belonging to the winter season like Monica Bellucci, characterized by light skin and dark hair. This intense color creates a strong contrast with their complexion, highlighting their distinctive features.” Other divas who are enhanced by black are Courtney Cox, Eva Green and Megan Fox.
Always according to the principles of color scheme, there are many celebrities who would do better to avoid black, since this tint could harden your features too much, making your skin look pale and dull. «Among these, certainly the singer Taylor Swiftwith her pale complexion and blonde hair, as is the actress Emma Stone, as she has pale skin with warm undertones and green eyes. This color can create too strong a contrast, not highlighting their peculiarities”, continues Sonia Chirico. «There are many celebrities who, even though they look good even in black, they shine more when they opt for colorful and bright outfits. Any examples? Blake Livelybelonging to the spring season, which can be worn like few other lively nuances such as orange, gold and emerald green, as well as Jennifer Lopezwith brown hair and an olive complexion, belonging to the autumn season, which definitely looks better with clothes in warm tones such as fiery red, gold and coral.”
The occasions when black has the red light
A necessary premise to make is that everyone is obviously free to dress as they want and, also, what the black has really been cleared through customs in practically any occasion of use. However, it should never be forgotten that, throughout practically the entire Western world, black is the color of mourning, with a very strong symbolism linked to the ceremonies related to it. In general, then, It's an evening colorjust think of the invitations to gala parties and the most elegant parties which are accompanied by the wording black tiewhich strictly involves a long dress for the ladies and a dark suit, or even a tuxedo or tailcoat, for the gentlemen.
If you want to respect modern etiquette and stick to theetiquette, there are situations in which it would be better to avoid noir clothing. Which? He reports them to us Elisa Motterleexpert on good manners and founder of the Italian Etiquette Society: «No to black at weddings, always. Even if it goes with colorful accessories, even if the dress is outlined in white or with micro prints. If you really want to stick to dark shades, navy blue is much better. Even on “joyous” daytime occasions, such as baptisms, graduations and other similar celebrations, it would be better to focus on brighter shades, suited to the festiveness of the event.”
Fashion loves black and black loves fashion
Self Coco Chanel she was the first to introduce it into ready-to-wear with her legendary little black dress which embodied the liberal spirit of Roaring Twentiesin the following years there are many designers who have chosen this color as one of their indispensable stylistic features, each reinterpreting it in their own image and likeness: Dolce&Gabbana taking it from the Sicilian tradition, Yves Saint Laurent stealing it from his closet with the tuxedo, Versace eroticizing it with pins and slits.
It has a timeless charm and is impossible to get tired of: since Coco Chanel invented it in 1926, the little black dress continues to gather support even among royals across Europe. But be careful to believe that the little black dress is 100% politically correct: there are also those, like Lady Diana, who have also used it as a pretext for revenge
Black becomes an ecumenical color, but also complex, multifaceted, rich in meaning: it embodies essential elegance at the court of Giorgio Armanievolves into sculptural architecture in the hands of Balenciaga, symbolizing revolutionary femininity for Givenchy. And, again, it's graphic minimalism for Yohji Yamamotogothic romance for Viktor & Rolf, conceptual design for Helmut Lang, just to name a few. We still have the latest (in every sense) collection in our eyes and hearts Le Noir designed by Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino, entirely monochromatic in total black, to understand the «search for light in the darkness that surrounds us».
Does it make everyone special or the same?
Adopt black as a uniform it is often a trait that people have in common player of the fashion sector, from journalists to stylists, from buyers to the staff of the most famous stores. A way of being or appearing, often, super partes with respect to trends prevailing or to the products that must be reviewed/sold/presented, but also, sometimes, a slightly snobbish habit which becomes a symbol of belonging to a luxurious and aspirational elite.
What is certain is that, the non-colour par excellence, if on the one hand it makes you powerful and elegant, it can also make it difficult to reveal the true personality of the wearer and become, over time, not only a distinctive feature, but also a diktat that forces rather than liberates. Here, then, that for some distance yourself from black it's not just a question of color harmony, but of defining oneself and one's personal style. Precisely for this reason some fashion icon contemporary women do not (almost never) wear black: one above all, the most feared Anna Wintourwho apart from the large glasses that are irremediably pressed onto his face, can be recognized on the front rows of fashion shows for his brightly patterned dresses and bright overcoats, but also Iris Apfelqueen of maximalism, who wore outfits full of colors and prints until the end of her days.
And, again, what would some characters be without their flashy clothes, their redundant styling, their unconventional outfits? Perhaps not always elegant, but certainly captivating, eye-catching, full of creativity and personality. Just think of singers like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry or Rihanna, deliberately showy and eccentric on the stages of their concerts, on the most important red carpets, but also in their private lives? Would they have been as successful bundled up in black looks? The answer is, literally, obvious!
Source: Vanity Fair
I’m Susan Karen, a professional writer and editor at World Stock Market. I specialize in Entertainment news, writing stories that keep readers informed on all the latest developments in the industry. With over five years of experience in creating engaging content and copywriting for various media outlets, I have grown to become an invaluable asset to any team.
