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)

@Towelseverywhere

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

Yes, this exactly. I love the do's and don'ts as she just makes something that looks good (to me) even better, sometimes with a small tweak. Just a belt or a change of shoes.

I’ve had a look and think she’s got some interesting tips, although I’m probably double her size!

I wish she’d look happier about it though, I was watching some videos with the sound off (baby sleeping on me) and thought she was showing the don’ts as she looked so disapproving 😂

With black I would wear grey, caramel, cream and other muted toning shades.

Those colours make me look washed out. I sometimes wear black trousers, a black T shirt and a raspberry red jacket or emerald green cardigan. I always get complimented when I wear those colours.

I am a jewel winter and can carry that off though. Sludgy colours don't suit me at all.

I’d love it if everyone one day just decided to dress really eccentric like Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen

I’m a big fan of LLB but his outfits are very carefully thought out, not thrown together. While he doesn’t do what I’d consider to be rules, every part of the outfits he appears in is considered.

@samsera

Black and orange always reminds me of Halloween costumes. Probably silly.

Me too.

Black is hard for me to match with anything other than a version of another neutral, a metallic version of that, denim or black of the same colour origin

For me I think black trousers and a jewel top/jacket is such a mum on a night out look or estate agent wear
I see it everywhere so I am probably out of step

I can’t think of any other exception

I am away today for Easter and have just packed a few ‘mum on a night out outfits’. I’m so over all my khaki, rust, ginger colours (even though they suit me). I want some brightness back for the spring and summer. One outfit consists of black, bright pink and pale pink, that’s probably breaking a few rules.

I think textures matter too. A bright silk top and, say, a black leather pencil skirt, can look better than a bright polyester top plus polyester black trousers.

The 'mum on a night out' comments are just offensive. Some women on here really do seem to out-misogynist men. It's spiteful and I don't believe for a second that the people saying such things are always paragons of style and beauty themselves.

@RampantIvy

With black I would wear grey, caramel, cream and other muted toning shades.

Those colours make me look washed out. I sometimes wear black trousers, a black T shirt and a raspberry red jacket or emerald green cardigan. I always get complimented when I wear those colours.

I am a jewel winter and can carry that off though. Sludgy colours don't suit me at all.

I often do this myself.Sludgy tones don't suit me. I am Asian. Without a touch of bright I look and feel ill.

I'm not a lover of black, I have a couple of black tshirts, and black jeans but I never wear the jeans (I've just put them in the charity shop bag) I will always reach for my grey, washed out black or indigo jeans. I have one black dress which I've worn once. I don't find it a neutral colour for me even though I'm a cool winter colouring. I've just had a peak in my wardrobe and I have recently bought a few bits, one being a bright pink and black top. Black background with big pink spots, but I'll wear it with pale grey jeans or washed out black jeans. I've got a few dresses too with a black back ground but lovely blue and lilac flowers on. So yeah I do wear black but not as a block colour. I don't wear black eyeliner either and I've only got one pair of black boots and I've not got a black hand bag either. I do think as a block colour it drains life away from the colours you team it with.

@RemusLupin, agree fully on both accounts, the difference in materials and textures matters a lot, leather is a great carrier for all colours, fabrics and finishes.
Also the nasty comments on this thread, so unnecessary.

I do think black is a hard colour to wear, because it can look cheap when with bright colours and really shows up less high quality fabrics. Few white woman look good with black next to their face, so it does tend to be the trousers and skirts option. There are more flattering and "easier to style well" neutral colour options.

Also the nasty comments on this thread, so unnecessary.

I agree. The "fashion police" can be rather cutting. I think that style and fashion aren't always the same thing, especially where colours are concerned. I don't care what colours are "in". If they don't suit me I won't wear them.

@evilharpy

Trinny and Susannah also said to wear trousers underneath skirts!

Okay still do this, skinny jeans and dresses. My favourite combination. 🙄 I don't really do fashion.

@ClaudiusTheGod

Because you'll look like a liquorice allsort.

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

Or a highlighter pen

I never knew that was even a rule! I love bright colours with black.

@RampantIvy

Also the nasty comments on this thread, so unnecessary.

I agree. The "fashion police" can be rather cutting. I think that style and fashion aren't always the same thing, especially where colours are concerned. I don't care what colours are "in". If they don't suit me I won't wear them.

Yes, although black is a colour that doesn't suit most white woman. You can put it on your lower half to keep away from your face, but it isn't really a flattering choice, yet we've been sold this idea that it's a basic building block of our wardrobes. As this thread shows, the colours it works well with dont suit or appeal to most woman as well, yet so many buy black clothing with this odd idea it goes with everything when actually it doesn't.

@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.

Thanks for the IG tip! Here's a few more to try;

40plusandnotgivingupyet
Wearsmymoney
Doesmybumlook40

With jewel colours you don't have to wear black trousers though, there are so many beautiful colours that are much more chic with emerald greens and raspberry. People probably compliment you cos your colors are close to your face, not because you're wearing black trousers. I'm the same, a winter. If you want neutral bottoms you could try green top and navy bottom, raspberry top and chocolate or khaki bottom. Black doesn't match with these at all for me, it kind of cheapen the outfit. Black I like with brown and grey, though these don't suit me so black only exists on its own, as a dress in my wardrobe.

@DailySheetWasher thanks for the account recommendations!

@poulicey - I think that's it, black is a bad choice of a neutral colour. Theres always a better option, its hard to style well, and yet we are sold this idea its a building block of a wardrobe. I know some people like that its viewed as slimming, but all dark colours have the same effect.

@poulicey

With jewel colours you don't have to wear black trousers though, there are so many beautiful colours that are much more chic with emerald greens and raspberry. People probably compliment you cos your colors are close to your face, not because you're wearing black trousers. I'm the same, a winter. If you want neutral bottoms you could try green top and navy bottom, raspberry top and chocolate or khaki bottom. Black doesn't match with these at all for me, it kind of cheapen the outfit. Black I like with brown and grey, though these don't suit me so black only exists on its own, as a dress in my wardrobe.

I hear what you’re saying, but it would be a cold day in hell before I’d wear khaki or chocolate brown. I’m a hardcore winter jewel! 😆 Black suits me much better.

I do like navy, but I find it much harder to match the right shade of navy with the right jewel colour. I’d need a very dark navy with emerald green for instance, otherwise I’d feel like my Nan in a nice pair of navy slacks and jaunty green blouse.

Black is good for the lazy among us, who can’t be arsed to trawl for the exact right shades. And it actually does suit jewel winters.

I think there is so much more nuance to this very important debate than just blanket ‘I’m an Instagram stylist so I say so’ rules.

No way am I wearing a bright colour (or white) across my arse.
Navy/grey/black trousers all the way I'm afraid.

I agree with you @EastHer. I don't and won't own any brown or khaki - vile colours. Also, I don't understand the MN obsession with tan boots and camel coats - neither of which would suit me or go with anything I own.

Fellow jewel winter here.

I think it can look quite harsh, and doesn’t do much for either the bright colour or the black. Having said that it can also look stark in a good way - 1950s as well as 80s.

I guess you need to experiment , but I adore pink and red, also pink and green with the right shades, bright pink and mid or darkish blues is nice too, and obviously pink and white. Bright blue would work with a darker or blue bottom (experiment with the shades), red, white, orange, beige.

I think trininy and Susannah were just generally anti black clothes. At the time a lot of people wore head to toe black polyester to work, so they had a point.