The New Black

The 80s brought us the ‘new black’ of fluoro everything. Green and orange were particularly popular. Does this seem like the work of an informed fashion guru who deserves to be followed? It was possibly the same person that, a few seasons ago, told us that, as unlikely as it seemed, peach was the new black. Hmmm. I am sensing a few flaws in this new black theory.

There is no colour as universally appealing as black. (Yes, to the artists amongst us, I know black is technically not a colour, but until someone provides a better word it has to stay.) Black flatters everyone – no exceptions. Even the palest of pale can pull of a completely black ensemble, smother their mouths in an iridescent red lipstick and look either hot goth or just fabulously glamorous. Black is also slimming, provides instant chic, and can be dressed up with your most insane of accessories. Try donning your chunkiest green or red necklace with a peach get-up. I don’t think so.

A black ensemble will often suit any work occasion, providing you with a chic silhouette and an outfit that boasts confidence, style and sass. Slipping into all black for a night out oozes sex appeal, sophistication and can earn you a reputation as the hottest girl in the bar. And who can live without a little black dress tucked into the back of the cupboard for the occasions when just nothing else will do? Black is always the lifesaver of your wardrobe, regardless of the affair and usually once you’re in your amazing black outfit, you’ll often find yourself wondering why you considered wearing any other colours at all!   Just don’t make the fatal mistake of mixing your blacks. Donning your new blacker than black halter top with a pair of slightly faded black pants is only going to damage the fabulous blackness of your get up!

To live the new black philosophy, there are a few black basics that every girl needs to have and AskBronny has compiled a helpful little list to make it easy for you to have the new black covered.
Obviously the little black dress ranks at number one. (link to your story again here.) The LBD can be dressed up or dressed down, making it suitable for work, play, and, as demonstrated by the much loved Samantha of Sex and the City, even a funeral.

The classic black suit, or the classic black trousers. For those of us in high flying office jobs wanting to show our style without sacrificing our ability to look professional, intelligent and in-control, the tailored black suit provides all of the above. Worn with a strappy singlet and chunky accessories, your style will never be sacrificed while you do your thing in the boardroom. When the entire suit isn’t necessary, a well fitted pair of black trousers, whether you prefer bell bottoms, cuffs or cigarette style, will flatter whilst complementing pretty much anything else you choose to wear that day.

The black handbag. Regardless of personal taste and if you like it big and slouchy or streamlined and chic, the black handbag is one of the few bags that can leave for the office with you in the morning, and then make its way to the bar with you after work without being out of place. A good investment in a stylish black handbag means you can team it with almost anything and sling it over your shoulder with confidence and pride.

The black skirt. Very similar rules apply to the black skirt as to the black trousers. As long as the style suits your shape, this is one wardrobe item you can’t live without. My ultimate black skirt is cut to a diagonal just over my calves, works just as well with strappy sandals for a posh dinner as it does with boots and a fitted jumper in winter, and transcends the work/play boundaries. Add the right black skirt to your wardrobe and the most difficult thing you’ll have to contend with is wondering what to wear on the days it’s in the wash.

Black oozes cool, no matter when, where or how you wear it. Black has even made a statement on the 2007 summer fashion circuit with many a designer opting for black dresses as part of their summer collections. So for a colour that can now even transcend seasons, I think its status as the new black is firmly sealed.