No that’s not a typo in the title. This post is all about taking black back to basics.

Poor black gets a bad wrap, especially here in New Zealand. Ask anyone, and they think they wear too much of it, yet it seems to be all that’s available to buy.

Everyone wants to steer clear of black, but it’s OK to wear black! And I want to give you tips on how you can wear black, if and when you want to.

Back to Black via Pinterest (click the image to get more Pin-spiration)

As always, this is just my advice, if you want to rock head to toe black everyday, then go for it! This advice is to help people who aren’t sure when and where they are going to look their best with black involved. Remember, if you FEEL good in what you are wearing, then you’ll look amazing.

Why black is awesome

Black can be such a chic, classic colour. Black will never date. Seeing a lot of khaki around right now? yup, well don’t blink too long or it will be gone. Black NEVER goes out of fashion. Buy a coat in black and it will last you for 10 years or more, a coloured coat might last that long, but I promise the colour will date before the coat falls apart.

Black let you focus on other aspects of the fabric. You can have fun with texture, shape and style, rather than having to worry about the colour so much. You can be more adventurous with cuts and shapes of clothes in black, as the lack of colour makes the shape the statement.

SHOP THE BEST OF BLACK: Boohoo.com dress $45 | Nixon black watch $179.95 | Siren shoes from Styletread $142 | CottonOn hat $19.95 | Witchery pencil skirt $89.95

But is it really slimming? Well yes and no. The reason black appears slimming is because it’s a block colour. It creates a seamless outline of your shape, giving you definition which makes you appear slimmer. BUT any dark colour will do the same! So navy, deep green, red, grey etc etc will be just as slimming, if not more flattering on you (depending on your colouring)

Light reacts differently to black than is does other colours. Other colour refract and reflect light more than black, therefore all the bodies perfect little imperfections seemingly show up more. Black creates clean lines.

Black looks GREAT with a tan. I much prefer to wear black in summer when I have a healthy glow, rather than when I’m feeling a little more like Wednesday Adams in the heights of Winter.

black with a tan is always the way to go

I love the way black looks against the glow of golden skin, and SKIN is the operative word. Black will look better on most people when there is less black, and more skin on show. That way the black doesn’t overwhelm you.

When black doesn’t work as well

Black is a DOMINANT colour. Unless you have strong colouring and features (ie. dark hair and fair skin that create contrast against each other) black can been seen to “wear you”.

Try and avoid black next you your face. Again, unless you have that “Winter” colouring like I just mentioned, black can not only be too dominant for you, it can be draining and ageing too close to your face.

Break black up with scarves and necklaces in a colour that works with your complexion! You’ll thank me for it when everyone tells you how awake and alive you look

Black at weddings. Call me a traditionalist, but surely you can wear one other colour ONE day in your life. There are so many beautiful outfits out there that are wedding-appropriate that aren’t black. In the “olden days’ if the Mother of the Groom wore black to her sons wedding, it was meant as a sign that she was in mourning for her son – that is she didn’t like his choice of bride! You wouldn’t want to give those types of signals now would you?!

Still don’t want to get out of the black funk? Then make sure you have a read of this post on how to wear White in Winter then! See, there really is something for everyone on Chasing Cait haha.

What are your thoughts on black? Are you an all-black, all-day kinda gal? Or do you try and change it up with other colours? Tell me what you think in the comments below!

Until Next Time, In Style & Love Always,