You Can Wear Black Color at Any Age | High Latitude Style (2024)

You have heard often that senior women shouldn’t wear black because it would enhance the wrinkles. People say that blondes look great in black. Black is a classic. When in doubt, wear a LBD. Only Winters can dress in this color. The color washes out all types of Springs, Summers, and Autumns. Black is only for the cold season. Obviously, these common advices are obviously contradicting.

Now what? To wear or not to wear black? This post empowers you to wear black at any age and look stunning, no matter of your color season, hair color, or age.

In the 1960s, Black Was Not for (Little) Girls

When I was a child, my favorite color was black. Adults said that black is not a color for a little girl. They said things like yellow looks great with your black hair, or red is a color for girls. My answer was that my hair is brown, not black, and black and brown look great together.

In the 1960s fashion, black was for women over 60. The wardrobe of most women 60+ consisted of many dark neutrals like navy, brown, black, and gray paired with modest blouses in pastels.

In the history of wearing black, in the last century, black was a color to be worn by widows for a year after their husband’s death. Adult Protestants wore the color for going to church. Kids would only wear it as Sunday’s Best when they were very light blond (like my sister). Consequently, I wasn’t eligible to wear black at any age.

Listen to Whether the Compliment Is on the Clothes or You

One day Mom knitted skirt suits for my sister and me. My sister got a black one because the color looks great with her blonde hair, while I got a muted red one. The black washed my sister out, the muted red made me look sick. However, we both got many compliments on the skirt suits. Today I understand that they complimented Mom’s really excellent craftmanship, not how we looked in them.

Why? My sister’s color palette is Summer, mine is Winter.

How to Wear Black When It Is not In Your Flattering Color Palette?

When you are a Spring, Summer or Autumn go for bottoms, bags or footwear in black. When you have to dress in this color due to an uniform or corporate style, add a scarf in one of your best colors.

Why Black Can Easily Become a Camouflage in Midlife

Just look around at what 40+ women wear a military ball. Most of them don a black, classic gown. Many of them make this color choice to look leaner than they are. Because the majority applies this dressing trick, they seem to look all the same.

Or look around in the metro, tram, bus, airport, you name it. There is a sea of mature women dressed in black coats. Sure in a timeless cut and high quality, it’s a posh evergreen choice. And yes, many feel comfortable to blend in rather than stand out.

Wear color intentionally, not to to hide.

Wear Black at Any Age with a Pop of Color-No Matter of your Color Season

Ever since I lived in New York State, I love all black with a touch of another color. However, monochromatic looks can become pretty boring without it or without texture. Therefore, I paired a rib-knit skirt with a cable-knit sweater for the separates outfits in the first two photos of this post.

The above outfit features leather pants (smooth, a bit of shine), a corduroy shirt (texture, no shine), and a wool blazer (no texture, no shine). The silver pumps have a fin imprint like the scales of a fish (shine, small texture).

Tip: Silver with black is a statement. Gold with black is a classic.

Tip: Adding a pop of color adds interest to all neutral looks except desaturated looks.

You Can’t Go Wrong with A Little Black Dress

… is what Mademoiselleaka Coco Chanel reportedly said because it works for many dressing situations. You can style a LBD for the office, a party, running errands, going out, and even for browsing the beach stores on vacation. All you have to consider is to style it with a flattering color near your face.

Every woman owes herself to own a LBD.

When your LBD is on the casual side, add pumps and an expensive belt as Casual Friday outfit.

Tip: Pair inexpensive with expensive items for effortlessly chic style.

Black Sheaths Are Chameleons in the Closet

No matter what color, jumpers are a great investment. They add so much possibilities to a wardrobe. You can wear a sheath as skirt, or create a downscaled dress-suit vibe with a sheath with a cardigan. Sheaths can go from a professional outfit in a corporate style to dinner by adding some bling.

Science Says: Wear Black in Summer for Improved Thermal Comfort

Around the Mediterranean Sea, many women wear black at any age in summer. Science says that because black absorbs the wearer’s body heat the wear feel more comfortable than in white clothing. Due to its high albedo (reflectivity) the white garment reflects the body heat to the skin. Consequently, the test persons felt thermal discomfort.

How to Wear Black at Any Age in a Nutshell

• If black is not your best color, wear it away from your face or add a flattering scarf.
• A LBD can be styled up and down for all kind of dressing occasions.
• Wear black at any age in summer for chic and thermal comfort.
• Add a pop of color-neutral or fashion color for interest.
• Don the color for a statement, not to be invisible.

Use these tips how you can wear black at any age to look stunning even when you are a Spring, Summer or Fall.

References

Hes, L., Bal, K. and Boguslawska–Baczek, M., 2014. Why black clothes can provide better thermal comfort in hot climate than white clothes. In: Proceedings of the The Fiber Society Spring Conference, 21-23.

Mölders, N., 2023. Discover the Relation between Fashion, Fabrics, Weather, and Comfort. Amazon Publishing Pros. pp. 182.

Olusegun, H.D., 2006. Investigation into effects of clothing in Saharan regions. Journal of the Energy Institute, 79, 172-179. DOI: 10.1179/174602206X103602

Photos: G. Kramm

© 2013-2024 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved

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