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've never thought about it but now I do, I agree it looks crap.
I'd wear neutrals with black.

Ah, I see. Now that I think about it, I don't wear pink or red with black. I do however wear teal, emerald, cobalt, and aubergine with black. I guess those may not be "bright" colours. Grey or cream next to my face washes me out.

@WeSellAnyBra

I don’t follow this rule. Granted I’m 40+ and not interested in Instagram fashion tips, but I often wear slim black trousers or capris with a brightly coloured blouse. Jewel colours - raspberry red, cobalt blue, emerald green - suit me, so I wear them! I do also have silky blouses in white, beige/champagne, pale grey etc, but I feel at my best in bright colours on top.

I also often wear black gym leggings and a bright top to the gym.

Who makes up these rules?!

@WeSellAnyBra Ooh I like the sound of your wardrobe just what I like. I am a winter so suit black and white plus jewel colours. I also seem to suit high contrast clothes, muted tones make me look like death warmed up. So black trousers with a jewel coloured top is my easy outfit.

Dunno. Lots of people have black trousers, I wonder what they wear with them? And I’m not sure which colour trousers exist to wear with the bright coloured tops.

There's a lot of debate about whether black is even a colour.

Actually scientists have decided pink isn’t a colour as it’s not in the rainbow, it’s just light red.

Black is also not a colour, it’s just the absence of colour. (I think, or the absence of light ☺️)

@isthismylifenow

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)

What IG account was this please? (I’m looking for new style accounts to follow)

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'm a bit like this - very pale and anything beige, pastel or pale just washes me out. I only suit strong colours. I don't wear black every often, almost everything I wear is navy, some grey, and some other strong colours. I have dark green and maroon trousers for example and would wear them with maybe blue on top or a lighter shade of green/pink.

I have dark green trousers and maroon trousers (2 separate pairs). That maybe wasn't clear.

Also have loads of nice patterned trousers which are great for matching with any of the colours from the pattern. Got some warehouse ones in a charity shop the other day and they are fab, they've got greens, pinks, blues and white on a navy background so loads of options.

I have a bright green/black sort of animal printed midi skirt from Hush that I wear with a puff three quarter sleeve, a bit thicker than a T shirt top, also from Hush and black sliders.
I get lots of compliments when I wear it, I don’t do rules.

I love black jeans/ trousers with dark blue tops. That’s breaking a lot of rules too I think.

Am working from home today and wearing my favourite black skinny jeans and a bright red hoodie - looks good.

@PandoraP

I love black jeans/ trousers with dark blue tops. That’s breaking a lot of rules too I think.

And me! Especially if there's a touch of the sapphire to the blue. Looks lovely and makes my eyes look very dark blue.

There's a gap in the market for a TV show about style. I used to watch The Clothes Show years ago, then What Not to Wear. There have been a few others since then but nothing as interesting IMO.

people on instagram always look a bit fake and uncomfortable to me. Like store mannequins. It all seems a touch....insincere. I would also like to know what their credentials are in knowing what the so called rules are.
Fuck rules.

Landfill-fodder peddler's tbh.

I do occasionally but it seems to depend on the black - some fabrics and textures look really harsh in contrast with bright colours. Reminds me of the 1990s and Spice Girls.

I'm wearing quite a bright floral print dress today with a black denim shirt over it and it looks fine (in my opinion anyway!) because the denim has a slightly washed look to it.

@ClaudiusTheGod

Ok, that’s interesting- I get the 80s reminder and see the point about black changing the tone of the lighter colour. So - say I had a bright colour on top - vibrant pink or blue, what would that colour look good with?

It depends on the top! Pink top could look good with blue trousers /skirt, or green if it was the right shade. Pink and burgundy are a favourite of mine. Blue top - cream, lemony yellow, different shade of blue, some greens etc. (I dont like bright blue and bright red together, tend to look too cbeebies for me).

Basically, look like you've thought about your whole outfit, not just the top and picked what you consider to be a "goes with everything " bottom half.

@bellaiceberg

people on instagram always look a bit fake and uncomfortable to me. Like store mannequins. It all seems a touch....insincere. I would also like to know what their credentials are in knowing what the so called rules are. Fuck rules.

Landfill-fodder peddler's tbh.

I agree with this, seen so many vids recently of ‘the rulez’ there’s one doing the rounds at the moment about sand which dressing, something about if you wear chunky shoes you have to wear and oversized top and vice Verda, or was it to do with colour blocking. Anyway it’s just all someone’s opinion, like fashion in general. I’d love it if everyone one day just decided to dress really eccentric like Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen or Idris Apfel or even Effie Trinket. Life would so much more fun, better than spending it in beige.

I don't care what Instagram says. Matters to me not one jot.

🤣 Just seen my spell check has changed Iris Apfel to Idris Apfel. Just imagining Idris Elba in huge beaded necklaces and huge round glasses now 😂

It’s absolutely fine for everyone to wear what they like. No one is saying that a person can’t wear these colours, or look good in them. They definitely can.
But I do think that if a person cares about things like colours, and proportion etc, then it’s really interesting and there is something to be gained from considering it. Of course not everyone cares and that’s great, but it’s the same as any kind of art or design. Colour, shape, texture, proportion etc and how these things work together can be fascinating and can really change a look.

I wear loads of colours with black. I don't tend to wear brights at all because they just don't suit me. More muted or darkish shades suit me. Try things on if it looks crap start again. I have a lovely dark dusky pink cashmere jumper that looks cheap with my black leather skirt but great with my black leather trousers for example and both items look fab with other clothes.

I hate rules. Wear whatever colours you want.

What IG account was this please? (I’m looking for new style accounts to follow)

Sorry @whitershadeofpale I only saw your post now.

It is Lydia Jane Tomlinson

She looks great in every single thing, even those she doesn't approve of

I am looking for any pages to follow that are geared to the, er, more older crowd as well if anyone has any suggestions.

I am early 50s.

You are right that Lydia looks amazing in everything. She could be a model. Having said that, I do love the videos she shows of do’s and don’ts. She carries off the “donts” and you wonder what’s wrong with the outfit, but when you see the next one which is the “do” it always looks much better IMO. Which I guess just shows that nothing is wrong per se, it could just look better (although I appreciate that could be subjective) another way or with a different colour

@isthismylifenow

What IG account was this please? (I’m looking for new style accounts to follow)

Sorry @whitershadeofpale I only saw your post now.

It is Lydia Jane Tomlinson

She looks great in every single thing, even those she doesn't approve of

I am looking for any pages to follow that are geared to the, er, more older crowd as well if anyone has any suggestions.

I am early 50s.

Thank you!