Anyone who’s walked the streets of New York knows that there’s one dominant color on the fashion pallet. Yes, black. Tried and true, here are the reasons why New Yorkers’ favorite color is the darkest of them all.
No, New Yorkers don’t dress in black because they’re in mourning of all their free time lost at the office, (although that may play a part of it). According to the New York Times, New Yorkers became associated with wearing black during the 70s and 80s when different “fashion tribes” began experimenting with different styles. Not only were artists, and edgier groups of people downtown dressing in black, but business people from uptown were also sporting the monochrome look.
And yes, in comparison to other fashion metropolis’ like Paris and Milan, New Yorkers really do wear more black. At fashion shows, says Valerie Steel, the director of theMuseum at FIT, New Yorkers popularize the idea that New York=black.
Black has come to be synonymous with hip and trendy. It’s an effortless color that pairs with everything and quickly helps to elevate your look. Black also helps to project a certain image which New Yorkers want to embody- fierce, edgy, unstoppable.
That and the fact that New York is a concrete jungle and us animals like to blend in with our habitats.Not to mention, black helps cover up all that city grime.
Are you a fan of the all black everything look?
Featured image:Yann Garvia Flickr
