Why not bright colours with black

[ClaudiusTheGod]

Could someone explain why this is a rule I see on Instagram? If you care about such things, what colour tops are deemed appropriate for wearing with eg black wide-leg trousers?

(Asking out of interest only, it won’t stop me wearing bright pink with black)

I always think it looks like a supermarket uniform. Also I think very few people truly suit black, people think it’s an easy option but it drains most complexions

@DarkCorner those blue shoes in the second pic are gorgeous.

@TheOGCCL interesting point about colour wheel… I’ll go and investigate further.

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

It’s because the default office “uniform” in the late 90s/early 2000s was some kind of blouse with cheap horrible black polyester bootcut trousers. Topped off with a shapeless cardie, or possibly a shapeless black polyester jacket. No thought was applied to whether the top and bottom half matched, the trousers were just completely ubiquitous. And most of the time it looked crap.

I don't care about the rules and I do sometimes wear bright tops with black trousers to work, because black trousers are practical and I happen to have some bright tops. But... I do look in the mirror every time and think hmmm... I can see what they mean . But I don't care enough to actually not wear them!

@Boood

It’s because the default office “uniform” in the late 90s/early 2000s was some kind of blouse with cheap horrible black polyester bootcut trousers. Topped off with a shapeless cardie, or possibly a shapeless black polyester jacket. No thought was applied to whether the top and bottom half matched, the trousers were just completely ubiquitous. And most of the time it looked crap.

Don't forget the waterfall cardigan 😀

Black looks good with a multicoloured print. I wear a lot of liberty prints and they look lovely with black jeans or perhaps a black poloneck with a liberty print skirt. I have some linked items (hoodies and cardigans from Brora) to tie the pieces together.

I agree that black can kill a bright colour. However, I think that eg, a bright pink
Top with black trousers looks MUCH worse than bright pink trousers with a black top. For me it’s a lot to do with a bright top and black trousers looking like you’ve just chucked them on together, without any thought, like the black bottoms are just a default. In contrast, black top with colours bottoms can never look default, or not thought through which instantly makes the outfit look better IMO

But if you have a brightly coloured blouse/top and you want to wear it to work, no jeans allowed, there's not really much of an option other than black, is there.

I mean, navy or grey, I suppose, but it's harder to find nice grey trousers, I think.

lol - I also have Trinny and Susannah to thank for this being etched into my brain. I believe the reason was that it makes the black look cheap and the colour dull… or the other way around? Tbf I think they were right about this in most instances -though I think black jeans are a bit different as they aren’t such a uniform black.

I have also inherited my very fastidious and natty Grandad’s distaste for blacks that don’t match. Again, I think you can get away with black denim and a black top but black work trousers and a black top in a different shade does now really annoy me. I had to wear this when I worked in hospitality and it bothered me every time 😂 see also pattern matching and men with too long suit trousers.

Because you'll look like a liquorice allsort.

I wear black and bright colours together, I don't care.

Because you'll look like a liquorice allsort.

Oh god, I think that this is exactly what I look like!

It depends but the worst combination is black trousers or skirt and white top. Shouts waitress.

@RockaLock

But if you have a brightly coloured blouse/top and you want to wear it to work, no jeans allowed, there's not really much of an option other than black, is there.

I mean, navy or grey, I suppose, but it's harder to find nice grey trousers, I think.

I think the theory is you pick a colour from the pattern and use that. Or go with a second pattern that echos the shades of the first. Or if it’s just bright single colour you can match or pick something complimentary colour wise.

So a bright neon pink blouse needs pink trousers, patterned trousers with a similar pink in the pattern or a colour of a similar intensity (say a strong blue if you want to tone it down, or an equally bright yellow if you love colour).

No one told me that. Oh well.

I think I saw the IG post you are referring to OP. I had the same thoughts as you, as I'm what is wrong with the combination. And then she paired the same top with white trousers, and yip it did look a lot less drab.

But I can't get away with wearing white trousers. I take my hat off to those who can pull of a whole day wearing white.

I will have marks or something on those within minutes

(mum of a Labrador and white don't pair well either)

Bright pink with black looks like liquorice allsorts

@Towelseverywhere

I agree that black can kill a bright colour. However, I think that eg, a bright pink Top with black trousers looks MUCH worse than bright pink trousers with a black top. For me it’s a lot to do with a bright top and black trousers looking like you’ve just chucked them on together, without any thought, like the black bottoms are just a default. In contrast, black top with colours bottoms can never look default, or not thought through which instantly makes the outfit look better IMO

I agree re coloured trousers. I have, somewhere in the depths of my wardrobe because they don't currently fit, a pair of royal blue trousers from Hobbs that I used to wear a lot with black shell tops. I always felt great in that particular combination but I know I wouldn't if it was the other way round.

I've had to think about what I wear brightly coloured tops with - I wear a lot of black and neutrals and don't have many brights. But I don't think I wear them with black, I would go for trousers that are navy or grey or something else. If I'm wearing black trousers I think I go for tops that are grey or cream or khaki, or more black but it would have to be a different texture, I wouldn't wear black trousers and a black blazer for example but I would wear black trousers and a black turtle neck.

I had no idea I had so many rules for myself!

I didn’t know this was A Rule, but actually it makes sense to me. I really don’t like bright colours with black, with the possible exception of green. I think maybe because it’s in the middle of the spectrum, it doesn’t look as harsh to me as other colours with black.

I think it is also about colour/shade intensity - a contrast looks better than two strong colours

What does one do if one does not suit cream, khaki or grey? I look ill in all those colours. I only suit jewel colours.

25 years ago I was newly appointed in a highly competitive field, and I was helping with ongoing rounds of interviews. Literally every woman had black trousers with a coloured top. It was the uniform, as pp said. I don't wear black, but that phenomenon certainly cemented that decision for me!

@evilharpy

Trinny and Susannah also said to wear trousers underneath skirts!

Lol. Yes. Honestly, I found all their style advice ridiculous.

@JanisMoplin

What does one do if one does not suit cream, khaki or grey? I look ill in all those colours. I only suit jewel colours.

. I often substitute the would be black trousers, for a very dark tone of the same bright colour I’m wearing. So red and pink go great with burgundy etc When I do wear black, I wear it with more black, or white, grey, navy, khaki, dark green, burgundy, metallics. Basically if colour, then dark or soft. Never bright. Or as I said above I might wear a black top with bright bottoms as I think that looks intentional and striking sometimes, never black trousers and bright top though.

@evilharpy

Trinny and Susannah also said to wear trousers underneath skirts!

I wouldn’t really wear this now but it is was a real thing when T and S we’re on tv. And actually if you can look at it with objective eyes, it can look great. The sillouhette of Indian clothing, dress and trousers, looks fab.

I know this has been a rule for the last 20 years but I thought it was back in fashion with the whole 90s revival? Have definitely seen lots of fushia and black together recently.