I can't wear black anymore.. Or can I??

[Rosere]

I look like actual death. Not even death warmed up!
Black and navy have been my Staple colours for my entire life. Caught a glimpse of myself going to work the other day and I looked Casper pale.
I wear a scarf to brighten me up with a coat, but I hate wearing indoor scarfs so I can't just put on a splash of pink. I don't wear make up to work, but I may have to consider gradual tanning or a tinted moisturiser. Will a giant pink or teal necklace help?
I've never dyed my hair either, ever. It's still about 99%brown so I'm not going to start now. I'm 41, I'm not ready to hang up my dark clothes. What will I do????

Embrace the Goth look and cover all the mirrors.

Hahaha hahaha I think that's what I've been at @baroness. I caught a glimpse of myself in a lift. Terrifying 😂😂

Aah! Lift lighting! Why didn't you say?
Makes anyone look dead. It's a weird yellow colour.

I understand. You need to google 'colours' and try to work out if you are a Spring, Autumn, Winter or Summer. Then you can see the colours for your complexion. I had it done professionally years ago. It really helped.

I am a Spring and pastel colours suit my complexion. I cannot wear black. I wear navy but try not to on my upper body.

Try this. It's a game changer

Is there a particular site you recommend @LesLavandes?? I went on about 3 and I seem to cover a different season on everyone.
@BaronessBomburst I blamed the lift but DH sings the Addams Family whenever I wear black so I suspect its my undead complexion 😂

I think it partly depends on fabric texture. Very dark black polyester near my face looks harsh, as does a crisp black cotton. But I've a soft, fuzzy black cashmere jumper that I think looks good. Does anyone else find this or am I kidding myself?

Nope, Montana, you're on the money.

A scoop neck soft black sweater looks fine on me, that harsh polyester black just makes me look washed out.

You CAN do black op, but I'd suggest changing the cut of the neck and wearing some fake tan.

Yes managedmis! It is indeed scoop neck. The fake tan thing is a good idea too - I used to think wearing black in the summer was a bad idea, but actually my summer complexion probably suits black better.

I love wearing black but can only do it when wearing make up including lipstick. Which is fine because I always do. It can be harder as we get older to wear the harsher colours. Our hair goes lighter for a reason, ie it matches older skin tone better. Agree with pp that some materials are better than others. Anything with lustre like velvet is much better than flat for me anyway

I wear black Cashmere and black velvet as a soft autumn. Always with a low scoop or v neck. But black leather looks terrible on, though black suede is fine . You might well be a 'soft' colouring as well so suit softer colours and textures.If you are pale it wouldn't take long to add some blush, lipstick and Mascara in the morning. You don't have to put a full face of make up on. Bobby Brown are good at doing some natural colours and textures in make up.

The material certainly seems to make a difference. Might ask santa for a black cashmere jumper. I cannot imagine ever not being in black. 😊 Thanks all.

I do wear other colours obviously, but darks are my fave.

I stopped wearing black next to my face about your age - I too looked like the undead. Same with white, unless I've got a bit of a tan.

I'm also a spring (apparently) but I can wear navy as long as it's not too dark. Good thing too as I reckon 90% of my wardrobe is navy

My best colours are pale blue, hot pink and red - anyone can wear red as long as it's the "right" red.

Sorry OP it might be time for you to "lighten up"

Hahahahaha I probably should lighten up 😂😂

The Internet tells me today I'm a cool Winter. Off to try some teal tops tomorrow 😊😊😊

When you get older, you need more colour. Black starts to wash you out.

I started to find black harsh next to my face in my 40s when I had just a touch of grey. Now as I get more grey it seems to look better. Now that my mum has stopped dyeing her hair blonde and is fully steely grey (at almost 80) she looks wonderful in black.
I had never considered the texture of fabrics. This explains a lot.

Sorry OP, what I meant to say is that it might come back around

anyone can wear red....
Red , all shades, makes me look vast.

Do you like wearing black? If you do, keep wearing it.

Hahaha @quickkimchi I've barely a grey hair on my head so I might be a while 😂
@MissLadyM I love black. Im going to try other textures though.

Now as I get more grey it seems to look better. Now that my mum has stopped dyeing her hair blonde and is fully steely grey (at almost 80) she looks wonderful in black.

My Mum had black hair when she was younger and rarely wore black 'because it didn't suit her'. Now she's in her 70s and an elegant salt and pepper she looks fantastic in grey and black and icy blue and red. The colours that suit you change as you age (or dye your hair) and not always in the way people claim they do.

If you love black then wear black. You are not a decorative object and wearing black says something about how you wish to express yourself. So what if teal suits your colouring better, what matters is what is inside.

I gave up black completely in my 40s. Now in my 60s, I've started wearing it again, just occasionally and especially that washed out shade. I know it doesn't make my eyes shine or my skim glow and yada yada yada but sometimes I like that fierce, spiky vibe it gives off. So I think it depends on what you want your clothes to do.