WHEN WEARING BLACK MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT

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WHEN WEARING BLACK MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT

Here are some statements on wearing black. However What I want to discuss is making a fashion statement while wearing black.

“Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy – but mysterious. But above all black says this: “I don’t bother you – don’t bother me.” ― Yohji Yamamoto

“You can wear black at any time, wear it at any age, wear it for almost any occasion. A‘little black frock’ is essential to a woman’s wardrobe.” – Christian Dior

 “Women think of all colors except the absence of color. I have said that black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” – Coco Chanel

“Black is the hardest color in the world to get right—except for gray …” – Diana Vreeland

WEARING BLACK

Wearing black can be a fashion statement. Certainly, fashionista's (fashionisto's) have worn black like a membership to an elite club, forever. Like crows on a telephone line, we cluster together trying to be unique, but creating a uniformity that defeats our intentions. While we chose black originally because it made a fashion statement, it soon became another type of conformity. Therefore wearing black is not a fashion statement unto its self, However wearing black can be a fashion statement when we choose original, creative, and interesting pieces.

Black is the absence of color. Certainly, I have worn black all my life, however, wearing black can be tricky. Wearing black implies self-control and discipline, independence, and a strong will, and gives an impression of authority and power. However, wearing all black can be intimidating and can make you appear unapproachable. Balance is always something that you need to consider when planning your wardrobe. While wearing all black may be appealing, mixing it up a bit can make you appear more approachable and add variety.

WEARING BLACK

Certainly, wearing all black has social and cultural significance. My partner is of Sicilian ancestry and wearing all black is reserved strictly for mourning. Notably, wearing all black could signify a goth or punk vibe depending on the style. In this case, I recommend using your judgement as far as your style and wearing all black are concerned. Certainly, I do wear all black occasionally, however I tend to break it up with other colors.

WEARING BLACK

A CULTURAL HISTORY

Wearing black is certainly as popular today as it ever has been. However, when did this obsession with wearing black start. In fact to find the first references to wearing black you have to go all the way back to ancient Greece. Notably, the Greeks reserved the wearing of black for grief and mourning, a tradition that continues until this day. Moreover, the wearing of black for grief was also a convention during Roman times, however, the Romans also saw black as a cherished option for its style. Certainly, history also shows us black as a high fashion choice during the 16th century being a vogue option for Spanish Royalty, Europe's nobility, and the expanding merchant class

Throughout the 17th Century, French fashion was replacing Spanish fashion in European courts as a reflection of the changing global political scenario. Black, however, continued dominating in Spain and the Netherlands, where it became a symbol of austerity as a result of the Puritan Revolution.

wearing black

Portrait of a Gentleman and Portrait of a Lady, Michiel J. van Mierevelt, ca. 1610-1620

The Victorian's took the wearing of black to an extreme, with their obsession for long mourning periods and their mania for elaborate mourning dress. This came to a head with the compulsion of Queen Victoria herself to perfect the " widows weeds."

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QUEEN VICTORIA IN MOURNING DRESS.

With the start of the 20th-century black had become the common wear for shop-girls and servants. However, it was around this time that the formality of dress started to loosen, and social norms started to lose some of its propriety. Moreover, young women started to move away from the gowns of the past, and hemlines began raising. The first sportswear started to appear. The early 1900s, saw fashionable women adopting some of the shop-girl styles for themselves. Chic women of society wanting to appear youthful and fashion-forward, started to wear little black dresses.

In 1926, Chanel introduced her little black dress and the rest is history. Vogue magazine put Chanel's little black dress on its cover naming it " The Ford " of a woman's wardrobe. This moment possibly more than any other cemented black as the elegant go-to for fashion after this point. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries black has stood at the pinnacle of what is chic, fashionable, and forward-thinking.

wearing black

WHEN WEARING BLACK MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT

WEARING BLACK

Wearing black can be exciting and chic, interesting, and fashion-forward! Certainly, the sky is the limit when choosing a black dress. However, what I want to stress is you can stand out from all the other black-clad fashionistas by choosing a statement piece. Moreover, you know I'm all about finding and nurturing your personal style. Furthermore, I encourage you to choose the pieces that inspire you. Therefore when you go through your closet let your eyes stop on those pieces that make you step outside of your norm, those are your inspired style. If you’re aiming to evolve your look or try something new, consider going after pieces that feel more like those inspirational items. Often you have to " dress the part" and pretend before you play the part.

That's where black comes in, colors can come and go but black always prevails. Choose pieces that have unique details, have a strong silhouette, and are made of uncommon fabrics. Making a fashion statement means being edgy, fashion-forward, and wearing something unique. Here are some dresses that make a fashion statement . All these dresses are available through my partners, I hope you find something you love.

GANNI

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Ganni is a personal favorite label. Ganni subverts the LBD, crafting this design with a striped cotton shirt layered beneath its sleeveless silhouette. Metallic threads add a touch of glamour to the faux-feathered skirt. Here is a dress that makes a style statement.

ALEXANDER WANG

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Certainly a body-con dress can be a great look to stand out. Here this dress is detailed with a series of zippers which add a great feature to this short sophisticated  number.

SIMONE ROCHA

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While lace my not be the first thing that comes to mind when looking for the a fashion-forward look, this fabulous number certainly stands out. Simone Rocha is an Irish born designer who has won my heart and the heart of the London fashion scene.

SELF PORTRAIT

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 Here I'm giving a fun and flirty black eyelet dress from another favorite brand Self Portrait. While Self Portrait is a favorite of the young girl who wants a fun look this dress can also suit a sophisticated woman.

                                                                     

ELLERY

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Choose a statement-making silhouette this season with ELLERY's Sky High dress, defined by its voluminous bubble sleeves for maximum impact. The midi-length number has been crafted from black gabardine with signature contrasting white top-stitching at the bust and high slits at the side. I can see many of my fashion friends stealing the show with this fabulous dress.

WEARING BLACK

                                                                                  

MM6 MAISON MARGIELA

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Keep it casual but make it fashion. That's the thinking behind this black cotton T-shirt dress from MM6 Maison Margiela. I like it's style. Here's the perfect statement piece for a night at the gallery or fashion event.

WEARING BLACK

 

MOLLY GODDARD

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 I have been shouting the praises of British designer Molly Goddard(see my post) for a few years now. Certainly wearing black has never made such a great statement as it does with this fabulous fashion forward dress.

WHEN WEARING BLACK MAKE A FASHION STATEMENT

The definition of a fashion statement is loosely defined as something original worn to make a bold statement. Furthermore this statement can be about fashion knowledge, expressing your personal style, political views or a combination of any proclamations the wearer wants to express. Certainly a fashion statement involves drawing attention to oneself. Therefore if you're reading this I hope you I have inspired you to want to do these things. Most of all make fashion fun, bold, beautiful and adventurous. 

This post was featured on Links à la Mode fashion roundup by Independent Fashion Bloggers.

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