Misuse of black...

[fortezza]

Yesterday I attended a baptism where the majority of woman wore black. It seemed as if it were a funeral. The only exception was the mother of the little girl who was being baptized (who wore pink) and myself (blue and white).

How sad it is that most are glued to the safe choice of the colour black, and worse even to have chosen it on a beautiful sunny day for a baptism!

 

[CoreeGirl]

That is sad, it is just saying, "this is my basic black uniform, I couldn't be bothered to look cheery." Black is great...for certain things. But sometimes you want to wear cheerful, springy clothes, especially for a celebration. I agree that in my part of Northern Cal, people seem to overdo the neon shades but there is nothing wrong with a little color.

 

[arlekindearrabal]

IMHO, black is easy, and everyone loves easyness (well, almost everyone) which can lead to situations such as the one you describe... not everyone is willing to take a chance or being actually imaginative with their clothing, most people just dont want to risk looking "bad" or "ridiculous"

 

[james]

well, it's safe and you won't look fat. I'm too scared to use other colours, I don't know how to.I have always worn balck, since I was a kid my favourite clothes were black.and I'm not a goth or something like that.

It would be very refreshing to try other colours, of course.but really, how? you can get only pastels, beige or bright colours, so what's the point?I think I'd only look stupid teach me please.

 

[utopia]

well in days gone by it used to be a faux pas to show up to any social event after easter wearing black... and anything after labour day wearing white. I guess when those social conventions died, so did the whole thing regarding the appropriateness of black at certain events. now it's not uncommon to see bridesmaids in black. I think it's a symbolic thing...for most people black does hold any symbolism anymore so they don't see a problem with wearing it to a baptism. I personally do, but that's just me. while I wear quite a lot of black, I don't wear black at weddings, easter, christenings, etc...

 

[Venusia]

In recent years I've tried very hard to steer away from black, I still own some basics, but for the most part I wear colour.

I think black is the easy way out, I don't really think it's appropriate for celebratory events, unless these are happening in winter, and even then, I think you should add another accent colour to lighten it up. But that's just me. I love a black and white combo for formal occasions, though, looks very retro.

James, to start using other colours, the easiest is to start with accessories like bags and shoes, especially in summertime.

For clothes, the trick is to not wear all one colour, just replace one black piece with a coloured piece. You can start with colours close to black: brown trimmed with pink looks amazing, for instance. Thin stripes, contrasting piping, ribbons, are a way of adding a little colour into your wardrobe.

There are so many great colours that are not pastels or brights. You sound like you prefer deeper colours, so go for burgundies, chocolate browns, nudes at first.

 

[james]

thanks for the advice! I'll try the next time I go shopping.I've been thinking of my "over dose of black colour" for a long time, but every time I go to shop some new clothes, I always end up buying the black ones.but I'll really start trying a bit more.

 

[Curious]

I dunno. In a lot of cases, I think wearing black is less about playing it safe and more about what fits into the budget. Today, black is acceptable in most settings, so I think people are more apt to buy one fabulous black dress they can wear often rather than several so-so dresses that are specific to a certain occassion. I do understand the point, though. This is just another perspective.