Black: The Most Controversial Choice for Women 40+


“Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.”


― Coco ChanelChanel





Whether your style is called emo, goth, or super chic, wearing black certainly communicates many messages.  I have listened to stylists tell women of a certain age to wear it often…and I have listened to stylists tell us it is too harsh for our complexions, so go navy for a softer look.

No matter who says it, I have trouble avoiding black!  I have always preferred it in my wardrobe. I go straight to black garments upon entering any store.   In the last ten years, I have attempted to weed it out of my closet after listening to those who say it is harsh, dark and depressing.  But, the truth is, BLACK IS ME.  I love to wear black pieces.  I wear them often and they send the messages I desire to send with my style….none of which are gloomy, or psychotic.   I still wear color and love color, but I have decided to just accept my attraction to black as who I am and enjoy it!

I was so pleased when I entered SAKS FIFTH AVENUE last week to be met with a store full of mannequins in super chic black styles!  Of course, I just had to share them with you…

So, how do you feel about this controversial neutral?  Do you wear it or avoid it?  Slimming or not?  Harsh or not?

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!

41 Comments

  1. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels this way! I wear black because it speaks to me. It feels solid and grounded. I've always loved black, and have quit fighting myself on this.

  2. I'm with you on this one! I have tried to cull it, but it's obvious by my closet that I haven't tried hard enough. The older I get, the more that I do feel that solid black is not good around my face–too serious and sober, but on my bottom half–yes! And if it's splashy on top via a print, that's good with me too. I love your cruise through Saks!

  3. I think that black is phenomenal! It is slimming and always reflects light away, masking bumps and ripples like no other color. I find it sophisticated and daring, not harsh or depressing…and I have quite a bit of it in my wardrobe, as well. The only thing is that I feel funny wearing it in the spring (even though I had to when trying to coordinate with the broken foot's bootie for the last month). Anyway, I say "be true to yourself" and enjoy you love of black…at this age, who cares what anybody else thinks? Ha!

  4. I do still have black pieces, a couple of black dresses and quite a few black trousers. I now like to wear some colour near my face or some bold jewellery when wearing black. It seems to suit be better.

  5. As a frequent traveler, black is my go to color. It goes with everything and easily can be dressed up or down with accessories -or a colorful top if the slacks or jeans are back. It also hides wrinkles and "dirt" better.

  6. I love it! I am one of those who on entering a store, immediately heads for the black and white items. I don't even glance to the side! I am drawn like a magnet!! Black is a staple in my wardrobe. It is the easiest thing to dress up or down, brighten up with color, it's just perfect. I am starting to get into ink blues, cobalts and navy and consider these neutrals that work for me too. I get more mileage out of my black clothes than anything else I have! Karen

  7. I love it too! My go-to outfit is black tee and slim jeans, then I add color if I like. Black is a forever staple in my closet.

  8. I too go for the black. I have culled my closet but still regard it as my "go to " color. I have made a conscious effort to also purchase some navy and khaki but I know black will always be a staple.

  9. I also love black, especially a great black and white outfit. But it's all about what looks good on you, and a stylist shouldn't be making such unilateral calls. I have realized that black close to my face is too draining. So, I can still wear a great black dress or sweater, but have to soften it with a great scarf. On the other hand, I have seen women my age that look fabulous in all black and I envy them! For me, grey is my new black! Stormy

  10. I love black but it can get kind of dull. Nice to use a pop of color to liven things up. i'm still fantasizing about your very cool necklace combo the other day. That kind of thing.

  11. I'm afraid I can't wear black, I'm just too pale for it. It's fine on the lower half (where would I be without black trousers/skirts?) but solid black on the top makes me look like a corpse. I've been known to wear grey, which is slightly better, but I admit to avoiding black as much as I can.

  12. I love black and I have plenty of clothes from dresses to trousers and tops. Years ago I almost only wore black and neutrals but now I have discovered colours and there are days I go for an all black look or black&white but the next day it will be soft tones or bright colours.
    Black gives me so many options and currently I show my black jumpsuit with bright lemon yellow on the blog.
    Thank you so much for your kind comment, dear Pam!

    Annette | Lady of Style

  13. Until recently, though I adored them on others, I avoided wearing both black and white because they made me look completely washed out. Brown was my black; the colour that always attracted my attention and I wore lots of it. Now that my hair is silvering, however, (yes, I'm one of those women who has chosen to embrace my grey), I've been delighted to find that I can finally wear both black and white and I'm enjoying adding them to my wardrobe.

  14. I enjoy wearing black and white as well. They make you look slimmer and I have found if I am wearing white and have a picture taken it is always the best choice!

  15. Black and white are both very big this season. I think black is the hardest color to wear because if the fit and shape of the garment isn't just right for you it ends up looking dumpy quite easily. Having said that, the perfect piece in black needs few embellishments. I wore a lot of black and white with a touch of animal print to Nashville Fashion Week 2014 and got tons of compliments 😉

    Alicia
    spashionista.com

  16. I have figured out that black is ME, too! I mostly paint in vivid colors but mostly wear black – with jeans. I am not really a fashion plate at all, but I AM comfortable with my basic choices.

  17. 90% of my wardrobe is black and always has been! I love it, it never goes out of style. I try to accent it with a nice bright top if I'm wearing black pants, or a scarf if it's a top but I don't think it ages us. It's my "go to" color.

  18. Ever since I had my colors "did" in the 80's, I have loved wearing black. A colleague – with similar coloring and hair – and I laugh about our many attempts to move away from black – and we both keep gravitating back to it. I find that black and white together – checks, etc. – look especially great on me, too. Don't know why that is! And of course the slimming, dirt hiding elements… I love wearing jewel toned tops – or very pale pastels – with black pants or skirts.

  19. I have always loved black. My Husby is always trying to get me to wear colour. Particularly red. And I do love colour. But I also love to pair it with black. Yeah. It's just me! 🙂

  20. I like black, I also like white and hope to wear all white this summer. I think it is a fashion staple. I don't think of it as slimming. I think that has more to do with posture and how you carry yourself. I think black and white together can be stunning as well.
    Have a great day! jess

  21. I'm still in my 40s but I live in black. Right now I have sweats on w. a black tee. I looked down at myself when I saw the title of the post and was thinking, huh… But if you're like me you know black can make you look a little skinny-ish, so you opt for it no matter what it might do to your complexion!

  22. I just bought a black summer tank dress yesterday to cover my bathing suit (which I will eventually get to wear). The alternative choice was hot pink with stripes – which would be okay for a 20 year old. And I love black with a light summer tan.

  23. I try not to wear as much black lately during my life after 50. I wear it on the bottom, but have been putting more color next to my face to brighten it up.

  24. I think black is the ultimate flattering color for many women, and it goes with everything! Today I went "wild" – for me – for a regular work at my desk (at home) day. Black jeans, fitted black top, and a long deep fuchsia cardigan. I felt pretty and sophisticated. Black can be dressed up or dressed down, casual or elegant.

    It's h-e-a-v-e-n-l-y…

  25. Sadly Black does not look good on me. I have golden toned skin. This doesn't prevent me from wearing it. I just ignore the comments about how it doesn't suit me. Lol

  26. I love black and at one time I wore all black. It just goes with everything. These are some beautiful outfits!

    blue hue wonderland

  27. I too am a black lover, I always feel good in black. I try other colours from time to time but I always seem to go back to my blacks. I never find it boring, mixing different textures , sometimes adding a touch of colour in an accessory.

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