STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Meow · Coach

The color black

luckylily · Gucci

I disagree only because I don't believe in any fashion rule that should apply to EVERYONE. IMO, those kind of rules are made to be broken. People should use their own skin tone and body shape to determine what's best for them.

With Trinny and Susanah (or almost anyone giving fashion advise on tv) I try to keep in mind that they are marketing themselves to the average girl who may not care that much about style/fashion. And in the case of T&S, they are often talking to people who've been wearing the same paint stained Russell sweatpants since 1983.

Andrea Julia · Coach

I would say that a lot of the time, what they say about black and dark colors is true, but you would really have to look at it on a case-by-case basis. I don't think it is always true. And I definitely don't agree that black should only be worn with white and gray.

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

I don't like black with gray. Of course, I basically don't like black very much....

I do wear red or bright colored shoes or accessories with black (everyone has a bunch of black pieces), but I wouldn't wear, say, black pants with a red shirt (It tends to look a little old-ladyish, in a black-goes-with-everything sort of way). I will, though, wear red pants with a black shirt, because it's more unexpected. And I loved Halleybird's green trench worn with a black sweater this week. So it depends. Overall, I think they're wrong about that...

ejc423 · Coach

Interesting question!

I remember hating going out clothes when I was a freshman in college because EVERYONE would wear tight black pants with a bright colored top of some kind. I always felt like it was so boring and uncreative. And it did look cheap. So I think they are right in that respect.

I think it's just one of those tips for women who can't be trusted to use black responsibly.

sfclinevandy · Coach

quote:
Originally posted by: ejc423
"Interesting question! I remember hating going out clothes when I was a freshman in college because EVERYONE would wear tight black pants with a bright colored top of some kind. I always felt like it was so boring and uncreative. And it did look cheap."

This was my college too, except half the girls would wear black skirts. BORING. It looks like everyone is wearing a uniform.

blubirde · Chanel

quote:
Originally posted by: ejc423
"Interesting question! I remember hating going out clothes when I was a freshman in college because EVERYONE would wear tight black pants with a bright colored top of some kind. I always felt like it was so boring and uncreative. And it did look cheap. So I think they are right in that respect. I think it's just one of those tips for women who can't be trusted to use black responsibly."

Having felt the same way in school I can say that those people were boring, uncreative, and cheap. It wasn't about the clothes. That said, I always try to be careful when I'm going out and wearing black and bright colors because I don't want to look too "Foleys," if you know what I mean. I've found a black cardi or shrug or blazer helps tie everything together.

But generally speaking, no, I don't agree with that rule at all.

Maddie · Coach

I kind of agree just cause I don't really like black

cc · Marc Jacobs

I don't usually like black paired with bright colors. Actually with most colors. Fabrics with black in the pattern are fine, but I tend to not like a solid black piece paired with a solid colored piece. I'm not sure why, maybe it just seems too harsh or something. I love black and grey and black and white. Oh and black and red is usually ok with me.

kenzie · Chanel

I don't agree with them entirely, but I do think that black with bright colors can be harsh and create a very 'I'm stuck in an early '90's nightclub' vibe. I, too, remember the days of trying to talk my friends out of wearing their trusty black pants out with a bright pink, turquoise or red shirt. ACK!

But I might be biased, I really don't like black. I don't even have basic black pants. I wear my black pinstripe pants like alot of people wear black pants. I think that if you are going to pair black with a bright color, it helps to add a colorful scarf as a belt, too. So that it's not just blocks of color on top and bottom.

lynnie · Chanel

hahaha, as soon as I read the first post, I was like, ew the high school/college girls that wear tight black pants and a bright pink top. What I considered Express and Wet Seal to be up until the past few years. It's funny how everyone agreed- I guess those girls really ARE everywhere. That said- I think it can cheapen the look but I don't agree entirely. I have a pair of black pants and I really don't think they go with that much. I ended up wearing them with a red/cream top with black buttons in one of my thread styles. I think they are kind of harsh with most of my shirts, but could go with more if I liked black pants.

sage · Dooney & Bourke

I had an epiphany recently that grey is much more versatile than black. Orange and black look like Halloween, while orange and grey do not. Grey looks better with red, yellow and a whole myriad of colors. The whole bright color on top, black on bottom is kind of dated unless you have, as was mentioned, a black something on top to tie it together. I dont't like the idea of cutting myself in half with my outfits.

bumblebee · Dooney & Bourke

quote:
Originally posted by: ejc423
"Interesting question! I remember hating going out clothes when I was a freshman in college because EVERYONE would wear tight black pants with a bright colored top of some kind. I always felt like it was so boring and uncreative. And it did look cheap. So I think they are right in that respect. I think it's just one of those tips for women who can't be trusted to use black responsibly."

my brother calls these "sorority pants" every time he sees someone wearing them. lol!

Maven · BCBG

Black pants or skirt with colored top: too boring, too easy, too lazy. Walk through a mall and count how many women are dressed this way.

On the other hand, look at how many beautiful prints include black, and in fact look good with a black top or bottom.

T & S have made me realize how boring my combinations had become. I still wear black with a color, but not with a pale or light color. My favorite is black and raspberry or plum.

Alikat · Kate Spade

Yah I agree black pants/skirt with a bright top is pretty boring. Other than that, I think black is fine with the bright colors as long as the outfit is pulled together.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I think solid black pants with a solid color shirt is too much, but a more interesting shirt can sometimes look ok. Or if it is black on the top and color on the bottom sometimes it can work...

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I could not disagree more! Those two annoy me. I don't think they are more knowledgable about fashion than say.. any of us!

asf · Kate Spade

i disagree. in fact, reading this post just made me go check myself out in the bathroom, because i'm wearing black pants with a solid, bright top today - and i think i look cute! well, really it's two tops (a green tee under a lavender cowl neck sweater) with the hem peeking out...

i guess it's just a matter of taste. wish i had a digi so i could get some input to see if it's only me that thinks this works...

domkfox · BCBG

OMG! I had exactly same experiences in terms of going out clothes in college! Tight black pants and a bright top - on every single girl. :) It was the Express outfit, and that's why I hated Express for the longest time.

I don't really like black all that much, and I do agree that grey is often more versatile and less harsh.

honey · Gucci

to this day (i've been out of college for 4 years) i refuse to wear black pants "out." (though now designer jeans are the new "black pants" so i'm not really breaking any fashion ground.)

imo every fashion "rule" should be taken with a grain of salt. i personally think gray is more versatile than black, but i don't necessarily think it looks "bad" or "cheap" to wear a solid color top with black pants. maybe a little boring/safe, but not bad. i sometimes do this though i usually try to throw another color in the mix via layering like asf, and i think it looks fine.