The Dark Side: Wearing Black
Solid black pieces are such classic wardrobe items, and they're incredibly versatile and stylish. From the iconic little black dress to black patent leather pumps, every woman needs a good dose of black in her wardrobe. To avoid looking too vampy or gothic, however, you need to know when and how to wear black. This article will walk you through several common occasions when black is an appropriate color to wear.
A Fun Night on the Town
When it comes to dressing up for a date or a night on the town with your girls, nothing beats a little black dress. Timeless and flattering, a little black dress can be worn alone in the summer, or you can sport it with tights, booties and a cardigan during the colder months. Looking to turn up the heat? Try something like the BCBGMAXAZRIA Sleeveless Sequin Pleated Dress, available at Macy's. This form-fitting dress has a mid-thigh hem and a sheer scoop neckline that transitions to a sequined sweetheart neckline at the bust. It would look stunning with black patent leather pumps, such as the Michael Kors Sadie High Heels from Zappos.
A Romantic Evening Out
For a black dress that provides coverage without being over the top, go for a style like the David Meister Women's V-Neck Ruched Dress, available at Neiman Marcus. This stunning little black dress has flowing short sleeves and a hem that falls to the knees. It's ruched down the front from the bust to the hem, adding lots of flattering texture. With strappy sandals or wedges, this would make the perfect little black dress for a romantic, low-key date. Any time you're wearing black during the evening, add pops of color to your look for contrast and interest. Silver jewelry is always an excellent choice, as are bright handbags.
Around the Office
When you're building an office wardrobe, it's important to have several versatile pieces that work in a variety of seasons. Though you might associate a little black dress with evenings out, it can actually work wonderfully with office apparel. The key is to find a flattering style that's not too revealing, such as a classic sheath dress. The DKNY Seasonless Stretch Wool Shift Dress is the perfect example. Available at Bloomingdale's, this dress has a hem that hits just above the knee, and a pretty scoop neck that's alluring without being revealing. For spring or summer wear, dress it up with a lightweight pastel cardigan and simple wedges. For winter wear, black or gray tights, chunky heels and an embellished sweater will make the outfit ready for work.
Professional and Preppy
Another great way to wear black around the office is to wear a black skirt with a collared button-down shirt. Choose a plain, comfortably fitting dress shirt in white, pink or blue for a classic look, or wear a striped or patterned shirt for a look that's a little funkier. The Old Navy Women's Poplin Stretch Dress Shirt is a perfect choice, and since it's darted at the sides, you won't have to worry about it looking baggy compared to a tight black skirt.
