For someone who writes so much about adding colour to your wardrobe, I am going to do a complete flip in this post and write about ‘black”. I want to show how you can wear black differently.
Black is a work staple but you can still be creative with it. Step out of your comfort zone and look at different cuts and styles that add to your wardrobe. It is a matter of experimenting. Next time you go out to buy that 100th basic black dress, think differently, opt for something a little more radical, whether it’s a black blouse with flared sleeves, or a skirt with ruffles. I emphasize diverse cuts + accessories which are the ingredients to wearing ‘black differently’.
 The unique yoke makes the otherwise simple cut of the dress a little more interesting.
Valentino knows how to make black look different with these lovely looks coming out Fall 2015.
Trousers:
You may have several pairs of black straight legged trousers in your wardrobe and normally you would tee them up with a jacket or shirt. Why not opt for an asymmetrical cut tunic (Thurley) in a lovely Georgette or silk  to soften the black look as this demonstrates above. Adding a long necklace and patterned shoes breaks up all that black making your outfit smart and chic.
With trousers add variety of styles such as a wide leg which are a real standout if worn correctly.  Or an interesting cut like this Kimono style pair (Chloe).  Accompany the kimono trouser  with a draped blouse (Ferragamo) that can cleverly work well together. Instead of a necklace, add a funky brooch to the blouse. With wide legged trousers, teaming it up with a gorgeous wrap silk blazer(Valentino) looks soft and elegant. Again breaking all the black up with patterned/colourful shoes and accessories.
Skirts:
Love the black/white combination. The sleeves on the blouse are the statement here taking this outfit out of the comfort zone yet remaining stylish. Be a little daring and experiment with wild sleeves on a blouse.
More often than not I see pencil skirts worn at work. There is such a variety of skirts out there that can flatter pretty much all body shapes that I could have added dozens of collages here. Below are some lovely styles worth thinking about.
Black and white block coloured skirts are a great way to jazz up your black. The daring midi length ruffled look (Marni) or this feminine fluted skirt (Victoria Beckham) are great alternatives to plain black skirts. Keeping in with the black and white look, notice the blouse (Chic Wish) and the checked blazer (Balmain) match nicely with the skirts without being over the top. Â Add a dash of red with the accessories to break all the black up.
Yes my love of lace never dies. Â I continue to say, you can easily wear it at work, These two outfits can also take you into night-time after work. The A-line pleated tulle and lace trim skirt ( Christopher Kane) is an elegant work look. Wear it with a fitted wrap top to show off your waist. Otherwise the classic cut pencil skirt in lace is equally stylish. Instead wear an interesting cut blazer ( Thurley) rather than the classic cut to give extra detail to this outfit and to downplay the night-time feel.
Navy is the new black. Here the combination of both navy and black are gorgeous and sophisticated for work. Again I have placed two different cut skirts, a slender wrap look and a midi kick pleat pencil skirt (Julien David) for some interest. Wearing navy blouses breaks up the black ever so slightly like you’re still wearing all black. Well almost. Some red and patterned accessories bring all this together nicely and simply.
Dresses:
I am all for making a difference with your black dress, even if it’s as simple as a bow to the side such as this.
This dress says ‘I am sophisticated, powerful and interesting’. The yoke and its draping all the way down makes this very simple black dress stand out (Givenchy). Adding a statement black and white choker finishes it off nicely. By wearing some quirky shoes, it shows you have some original flair without overdoing it.
The ever so flattering wrap dress with flare sleeves rather than straight like this one is feminine and fresh. Â Add a gold belt, some fabulous accessories and patterned shoes to make it pop. Another alternative to black is this simple, yet stunning midi length dress (Roksanda) with a hint of colour in the sleeves. It shows you have some originality if you wore this to work.
This is another dress that says ‘I am confident and stylish’. Again it is the sleeves in this little number that make the dress stand out otherwise it would be just another black dress in the wardrobe.(Alexander McQueen). Lace up patterned shoes and a standout necklace add to the flare of this dress making black look different.
Night time Affair:
Although most of the outfits above you could easily wear after five for such events as a cocktail soiree or dinner, some outfits such as this one above and the below are certainly more for a gala event. Â Velvet and lace combination as shown here suggests complete elegance.
As a lover of the Maxi, I had to include one. For a night-time event, wear a long black lace skirt ( Dolce & Gabbana) with a fitted jacket (Dolce & Gabbana) and accessorize with a gold and white statement necklace (SoniaM Designs) and gold shoes. The touch of red with the handbag completes an evening black affair beautifully.
Above from –
- Clothing: Net-a-porter, Matches, Farfetch, Thurley, Polyvore, Shopbop, The OutnetÂ
- Shoes: Nine West, Polyvore, The Outnet, Neiman Marcus, Net-a-porter
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