To think there’s something wrong with dressing all in black???

[YourDreamyHare]

The other day, I was on a day off. I was wearing a black jumper dress, with a little bit of cream stitching, black tights, black boots and a black and white bag.

Although I was off work, I had to pop into the office to collect something. My colleague asked “where are you off to?” whilst looking at my outfit. I thought I was reading too much into this, so just answered with my plans for the day… shopping etc. But I did definitely notice the glances up and down at my outfit.

Later that same day, I had to drop my son off for a Halloween party, and a friend said “love that you’re dressed for Halloween”. I said that it wasn’t planned, and laughed it off.

It’s left me feeling a bit self conscious. Is wearing black head to toe a no-no?? I probably don’t do it often, but I really like that jumper dress and feel like I wouldn’t know how to wear it otherwise. I could keep it just for work, but I do want to be able to wear it at weekends and on days off. Is there some fashion rule that I’m completely unaware of? Is it because black is for funerals?

help!

It sounds like you looked really well, complimentary.

You’re overthinking this. It’s just polite for colleagues to ask what you’re up to on a day off, especially when you went to the office on your day off. It sounds like you looked nice, possibly wore something a bit different than you usually do to work?

Your friend’s comment is fine, it’s literally Halloween so just seems like a timely reference. As soon as Halloween is over, anything red/green/gold/silver will be attributed to “getting ready for xmas” instead

Agree that all black can look incredibly chic. And is incredibly practical as 1) everything matches and 2)it hides any dirt. Which is why so many high end restaurants front of house staff tend to wear all black and why so many high end fashion retail workers wear all black. One of my neighbours works in high end fashion retail and in over 10 years of living opposite her, I’ve never seen her in anything other than all black. Even her dog is black. 😂

I wear all black at least 50% of the time. I like it. It goes anywhere.
I don't associate it with mourning, or being a goth, particularly, although it suits all this and more.

I didnt realise there were options other than black 😂 the only other "colour" I own is leopard print...my mother is thoroughly disappointed

I have a friend who always says I need a pop of colour when I wear black.

I do think it's a bit sad if someone is ALWAYS in black. I know that some overweight people do this because black is slimming, but being always in a dark colour even on sunny summer days is a bit sad.

Observing what you are wearing and how you are dressed is just part of the mental state exam. i.e., dressed appropriately for the weather or not, tidy or messy, etc. I personally wouldn't worry about that.

Black's great for summer. The fabric absorbs the heat instead of me, no visible sweatmarks, looks good for those who tan, blocks UV for those who don't, and makes me look slightly more like a vaguely functioning human and less like I've come to work via a wormhole in a 1987 Laura Ashley soft furnishing section.

I love black clothes and regularly dress totally in black. Nothing wrong with that at all!

Hard disagree. There may be areas of the world where black is cool in the summer, but in Europe black in the sun makes the person wearing it feel hot. It also just stands out as a bit strange.
Also, there are other options that 1980s Laura Ashley patterns.

I feel cooler in black. Unless you know my personal tolerance to heat and sun and body temperature better than I do?

A fairly bog standard middleaged woman wearing a midi-maxi black dress might stand out a bit if everybody else is wearing ditzy florals, ruffles and frills or spaghetti strap playsuits, I suppose. But that doesn't mean 'Oh, she's a bit strange, that one'. It means she's bought a dress that she likes and feels cooler/more comfortable in.

"I feel cooler in black. Unless you know my personal tolerance to heat and sun and body temperature better than I do?"

I know basic biology and the climate of north/west Europe. Maybe you feel 'cool' as in 'trendy', but wearing black does not make you cooler in the heat.

"that doesn't mean 'Oh, she's a bit strange, that one'. It means she's bought a dress that she likes and feels cooler/more comfortable in."

No, I think it makes people feel hot themselves just like looking at someone wearing a big coat in the summer and people have to bite their tongue not to suggest you wear a lighter colour. Of course, you can still do it if you want to, just like you can wear a puffer coat and boots in 30 degree heat if that's what you really want.

Your outfit sounds really smart so perhaps your colleague just thought you were off somewhere special. Sounds a nice outfit though.

I used to wear a lot of black on black outfits when I was younger, not so much now, I try to wear something a bit lighter by my face (due to my colouring and getting older, not because I don’t like black tops).

I think you were just unlucky to have two comments on the same day, but I don’t think they were meant negatively.

Certainly not fashionable or trendy, physically not melting.

I hate heat. Ever since I was a kid and regularly fainting in Summer (and my mother despised black clothes (and red, and green, for some reason, so wearing black can't be blamed when I was only ever given light coloured things, mostly in white or floral).

If skintight neon pink with a peacock feather trim around the arse made me feel cooler - as in less about to keel over from heatstroke - in summer, I'd wear it, apply gallons of sunblock and be happy (even if it would be somewhat traumatic for others around me).

But it doesn't. I will stick to my long, flowy black dresses that make me - my body - feel cooler in terms of temperature, keep me from going literally crispy despite brand new bottles of SPF 50 (cannot recommend, it's very painful) and you can keep on thinking that I'd be so much more comfortable in beige trousers with a white top, or whatever you think is acceptable clothing.

If you're a special human who defies science, good for you!

I believe black is meant to absorb heat while white reflects it. However, you know your body and what works for you personally.

Yay, me.

Just wondering, though - is my preference for wearing green or red in winter also the reverse of your science? Or should everybody wear black in winter or they'll make you feel cold?

Green and red are Christmas colours so perfectly normal in winter.

Maybe they just thought you looked extra polished that day, and that was what threw them?

Love wearing all black clothes and won’t be changing this any time soon / ever! 😁

A no-no with who?! Wear what you want.

I wear black all the time 😊 who cares what other people think about what your wearing it only matters of you like it

Gosh people are so annoying ignore them x

It’s fine but I guess on Halloween it’s fair to think it’s deliberate. I wore all black to work yesterday for that very reason (school, Halloween party). People likely won’t make the same assumptions on the other 364 days of the year

Pfft x

Lifestyle Goth here with undertones of witch.

Sometimes get side eye, but mostly compliments.

Often get asked if I'm dressed up for something and I tend to reply that if I was to dress up you'd really know about it 😂

Very used to children going wide eyed ad referencing "witch" in hushed tones to subsequently embarrassed parents, I just respond with a smile and a wink because there's not enough whimsy in the world.

Also there's an undercurrent of laziness at play 😁 and nothing goes an odd colour when I do the washing.

Honestly I think this sort of concern is pointless, what people wear is their own concern, though I do wince at fetish wear outside the bedroom.

Ties in nicely with widowhood as well I find, though it shouldn't be compulsory, it just suits me.

Strange old world we live in, ain't it?