Age doesn't matter.

How to Look Good in Black When It’s Not Your Color

I was at the gym, and looked around at the gym clothes everyone had on. I was impressed with how edgy and cool people look when they wear all black, sophisticated too. It really does create a strong impression. Age doesn’t matter. Since I love wearing black, I decided to explore how to look good in black when it’s not your color. Because it’s not mine!

I think the two biggest reasons people choose black to wear are because:  1) it creates a slim silhouette, and 2) it’s easy.  Black on black, black and white, black with anything:  it always works out.  Well, except that:

If you are wearing more than one shade of black they have to match closely or be made of different textures. 

When I went to the Influencers of Midlife conference in Atlanta recently, I based my travel wardrobe on black.  I’ve done that before.  It’s so easy, especially since I have a lot of black clothes that I’ve collected over the years.  It’s not a flattering color for my skin, hair and eyes, but I just can’t part with black.  So the accent color I packed to go with my black travel capsule was my favorite color that looks good on me:  the blue-green shades of aqua/teal/turquoise.  When I arrived for the reception dinner, I wore a gold statement necklace with my black maxi dress.

Influencers of midlife dinner
Kim of For A Good Life After 50 and me at the Influencers of Midlife reception dinner
Influencers of midlife-patricia melanie and me
Patricia of The Patrish Pages, Melanie of Mel’s 2nd Act and Kim at the table, talking with me at the Influencers of Midlife conference.

I have made a real effort to stop buying black clothes and add more color into my wardrobe.  Since I’ve had a personal color analyst confirm that Spring colors go best with my coloring, I have been choosing those to wear near my face.  Wearing your best colors close to your face brings the focus to you instead of to your clothes.  They make your skin look clearer and your eyes brighter.

But there are ways to wear black and still look good even if it’s not your best color.  Here are five tips for just how to do that:

  1. Wear black further away from your face and show some skin.  You can wear a v-neck, scoop-neck or off-the-shoulder top.  Another way to show some skin is to wear black in a sheer material or in lace, etc. 

    Black outfit SS
    Embroidered Lace Duster from Soft Surroundings
  2. Add a pop of color next to your face.  A scarf or necklace or statement earrings in your best colors will soften your facial features.  Also, if you have on a black cardigan or jacket, wear it with a shell in your favorite color; if you have on a black shell, wear a cover-up in your fave color. 

    Black w scarf anthro
    Harper Utility Jumpsuit from Anthropologie
  3. Add a statement necklace in gold or silver or whatever metal looks best on you.                                                  

    20-ways-to-wear-statement-necklaces-vintage-glamour-statement-necklace2
    From “20 Ways to Wear Statement Necklaces” at Happiness Boutique
  4. Wear red lipstick in your favorite shade.
  5. If your natural coloring is warm, try using a sunless tanner before going out in black.

Is this helpful to you?  Do you have any other tips to add?  Let us know in the comments below!

Like this post?  You might also like to read other articles in my Color Series here, such as:

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This post is linked up with #Stylish Monday Link Up at Hello I’m 50ish, where you can find even more style inspiration.

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