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"Will you stop me wearing black?"

lougibson21

Firstly, I have to start with stating that this blog is not aimed at anyone in particular. This is a question at least 4 different people have asked me since I trained to be a personal stylist. I don't want anyone to read this thinking I'm aiming it at them!!


No I will not stop you wearing black. Let's get that out of the way! Here's why...


The reason I trained to be a personal stylist is that I strongly believe that we have a right to be happy in who we are. There are numerous ways in which people approach this - through exercise, travel, hobbies, work, who we have as friends, etc. How we dress - and the colour we like to wear or surround ourselves with - is just another way in which we can feel better about ourselves.


Yes, there are colours that suit us better than others - based on our skin tone, eye and hair colour for instance. But there are also colours which we love and loathe due to association. For instance, I never choose to wear maroon. It was the colour of my uniform in secondary school and now is also the colour I wear in my other day job in the NHS. So to wear it in my leisure time is a big no from me.


Black can be a colour that makes us feel strong and confident. It's a defiant and bold colour. In Karen Haller's book "The Little Book of Colour" she lists the positive effects of black as being sophistication, glamour, respect and security - who doesn't want a bit of that sometimes? And so if wearing black gives you a sense of emotional safety and security, then wear the black!


Conversely, black can make us feel like we don't stand out too much - unlike a bright, bold colour. Karen Haller points out that people tend to wear black when they don't want to be seen - e.g. restaurant/waiting staff. Also too much black can make you come across as cold or unapproachable, so perhaps be mindful of this. If dressing for work, black can also communicate an air of unquestionable authority. Whatever the reason - if you love to wear a certain colour, it makes you comfortable, happy, confident - wear it. Own it.


However.... If you are asking me to do a colour analysis for you - and we were to look at the 4 season palette (which I must say, is just one way of looking at your colours - many people fall into a few categories) black actually only "fits" into the Winter palette. This is the high contrast, dramatic season - think cool skin tones, either very dark or very light hair, sometimes light eyes.


Note in these photos how all these ladies have a coolness to their skin tone. They have quite a high contrast look. They would fall into the Winter palette - although as I said previously, chances are they also have characteristics of other seasons which could put them into a Dark Winter, True Winter or Bright Winter. Black will enhance their natural dramatic appearance.


So no, I'm not going to tell you to stop wearing black. If it's not in your colour palette I will make suggestions of other dark colours which you could try. Navy or a dark purple can be a great alternative. But if you're happy and comfortable wearing black, own it. Who am I to say otherwise?

Maybe just put a bit of lippie on too so it doesn't overwhelm you ;-)


As always, feel free to get in touch if you've any questions or thoughts. Lou x
















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