black is a color

Eileen Fisher cardigan, French Kande necklaces, boyfriend jeans, Paul Green ankle boots
Ahhh, the ravens have returned…

Remember when I mentioned Just A Little Drama?  (With a side of Movement…) When I first spotted this long cardigan in the Eileen Fisher fall collection, it ticked all of the boxes for me. It’s a piece that I think looks better IRL than it photographs (because of the movement), and it feels wonderful to wear (again, because of the movement). It’s a perfect weight for LA. No I don’t pretend for a moment I expended a lot of imagination on the styling…it’s lifted right out of the EF lookbook, but what they did was right in my wheelhouse and I don’t believe in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. I added a few of my own embellishments, however, and have some ideas for other combos I’ll share soon.

Black is a color

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. I’ve embraced my inner Wednesday Addams.

Eileen Fisher cardigan, Givenchy bag, French Kande necklaces
Necklaces: French Kande here and here. The lip color is Bobbi Brown Art Stick in Sunset Orange.
Paul Green Ventura boots, Eileen Fisher boyfriend jeans
These Paul Green boots are from last year, but still available in charcoal grey or brown here.

Have you found there are colors you love to wear despite the fact that they’re not supposed to be flattering on you?

Come see everyone’s favorite colors at How I Wear My: Favorite Color at The Rich Life On A Budget and Everything Just So.

OPTIONS, OPTIONS, OPTIONS…


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33 Comments

  1. Despite having moved away from black over the last few years, at least as a mainstay in my wardrobe, I wore black sweater-dark denim jeans yesterday, and it felt like coming home . . .
    And for you there should be no doubt — you look fabulous in this outfit and the drama of the black sets off your blonde hair beautifully!

  2. Is this the long cardigan that EF is making as one of their iconic items to celebrate 30 years in business? It does look like it will be fun to wear. I just wish it would be cool enough in Texas to wear any kind of sweater!

    1. Susan, yes it is one of the Icon pieces. It’s a very lightweight wool. I imagine with long sleeves underneath it would be very warm, but I’m wearing here with a linen tee for milder days.

  3. Oh do I love that long cardigan on you. Wow! Thank you for linking to Adrienne and me and thank you for joining us, I loved both of your looks this month! It was hard for me to NOT pick black as my favorite color because it really is right up there with blue as my top choice.

  4. Whole theories have been propounded on this, and quite honestly, I’m not qualified to discourse on them! However, over time I’ve been drawn to the ideas put forth by the charming and adorable David Zyla, among other masters of color.

    In short, these color maestros do insist that one’s own principal body colors AND the level of contrast they produce, determine what works on any individual. They provide oodles of examples by analyzing the color choices of famous people– good, bad and indifferent.

    So, they would say, if black is a dominant color in your personal body scheme, go for it! I believe also the more dramatic contrast types–1) black hair, white skin, or 2)white/platinum hair, dark-to-black skin, are two color types who look deeply enhanced and “right” in black. But, they say, the rest of us have our own black– in other words, a serious, mysterious color that produces the same effect on us as “black” black!

    I think that my “black” is possibly a gentle indigo, violet or even olive green, all of which are found in my coloring, as in flecks of color in my eyes or the veins on the back of my wrist. Yes, the scrutiny gets that detailed!

    When I was younger I did indeed wear a fair amount of black, even around my face. Now I haven’t banished it completely, but definitely see the wisdom of relegating it to bottoms only, and even then softening it with flattering medium shades around my face. But really the most gentle of contrasts, for me are best.

    None of this is an exact science– I think it is intensely personal, and more power to all the blackophiles out there! This is just what works for me. By the way, Zyla practices what he preaches– if you google him, you will see he has red hair and teal eyes, I believe, and he wears tangerine, turquoise and green in a myriad of great combinations. I have never seen him look less than utterly great and harmonious in his colors…

  5. Well, I believe that you can wear any color you love. Even if a color is not supposedly yours, based on physical coloring, it may still be psychologically yours. You seem to “own” your black and the outfit suits you well.

  6. I wear the colors I love and rarely give much thought to how flattering they are on me unless they are obviously dreadful. Few are with my coloring, thankfully. Brown hair, brown eyes, medium skin tone is pretty easy to work with.
    Thank you so much for participating in this month’s How I Wear My. I love your look – from head-to-toe!

  7. I love this look on you! Thank you for showing the cuff with the boots. I’ve been struggling with my higher ankle boots, because if I cuff above the tops, the cuff is halfway up my calf, and my legs aren’t that long. I think this would work.

    And yes! Black is a colour, and one of my favourites.

  8. I was not surprised to see you chose black, simply because every time I see you wearing it, I think to myself, now that is one stylish lady. I personally believe that black is a beautiful color and one of the most stylish and fashionable one to accent with. I mean, talk about classic and classy . . . Thanks for being true to yourself and showing us how beautiful the color black can be.

  9. I won’t get into whether black is a colour or not; it is very complex, and differs between pigments and light (including electronic media).

    But I love black, and think the main reason it can be harsh for people middle-aged or older is the lack of light reflection on their faces. Since you have a white top, problem solved. My cat was born with that solution (little white v). I don’t wear white; scarves or shirts of less sombre hues right next to the face can to the same. I washed several scarves by hand because the weather was fine and had them hanging on the clothesline on my back balcony (where there is an overhang). They looked so happy flapping in the breeze.

    Black remains shorthand for elegance, even sans argent.

  10. Black used to be THE color I wore back in the 80’s and 90’s when it was my color. Now it ages me; my complexion looks very dull against black, or charcoal, or any of the clean colors. I like the idea of pairing it with bright lip – time to be daring or my age?

    P.S. On a separate note, I’ve been having trouble finding good skincare. Still, all my life, at my age, I know. My youngest just bought some skincare from online, called Vain Pursuits. They seem to take a completely different position on products. Do you think it’s worthwhile for me to try it out?

  11. This looks great on you! You’ve touched the right length for somebody of my similar height, so it goes to show that we can wear a longer length outer layer without looking diminished. It looks very comfortable, too. I have sweaters of longer length and I am waiting for the weather to cool off to wear them. As for black, I can wear it on top sometimes and enjoy the drama and clean look of black, however, I do reach a saturation point, if that makes sense, where it just seems to drain my color and my energy. My best friend shops for and wears lots of black (a ninja!) and looks fabulous every single time. It’s good to know what works.

  12. You look very pretty – and still, I’m not sure – the length of the cardigan screams out for a tall woman.

    Still, interesting.

  13. I am loving oversized cardigans this season and this one is certainly a beauty! I’m taking note of how you’ve styled it so I may re-create the look. Going to check out the EF Lookbook too. Thanks for the link.

  14. Once I hit 50 I started feeling comfortable wearing black…don’t know exactly what that means. Your blog introduced me to Eileen Fisher clothing…thank you! I love the cardigan.

  15. Fantastic cardigan! I’ve tried on a grey one (but shorter) yesterday and may have to go back… I think it is such a stylish piece and I am sure you can wear it a lot this season.
    I am wearing a lot more colours now but I will never give up black!

    Annette | Lady of Style

  16. Everything you wear is in my wheelhouse. I just can’t manage to look as fabulous as you do in them! Killer cardi … I whine a lot about cardigans being ageing, but this one is just COOL. Sort of a California style “duster” … very Matrix suave with a light hand! Have to know, please, where that delicious soft T-shirt come from. I’m on quest for a brand that works for me … so please advise.