I’m re-running this post from last summer, in connection with a link that Imogen posted here to a myth-busting article she wrote concerning black.
The greyer your hair (even underneath that dye), the more likely you will find that softer colours are more flattering for you, as because as we age, we lose pigment from not only our hair, but skin and eyes as well, how whole appearance softens. Colours that are too bright will draw attention to the body of the person who has softer, more muted colouring (and who needs attention to be drawn to your bum?).
So back to black – the properties of black are that it is Cool, Deep and Bright – and if these are not the colour properties that work with your appearance. Also, did you know that black is very ageing – it will cast shadow on your face, make wrinkles and lines look deeper, throw shadows under your eyes and make you look even more tired, and create double chins.
Now why is black considered so slimming? If light colours advance (make you look bigger) and dark colours recede (make you look smaller) then what is the most slimming colour? According to all those mags and fashion writers – it’s black as that logically seems to be the darkest colour, so it should recede the most. But if bright colours advance and muted (that is greyed down) colours recede then what is black? But black is actually a bright colour as it has no grey element so those ‘slimming’ black trousers will actually draw attention to you bum and make it look bigger, not smaller. Click over to read the rest of the article and find out what color trousers to buy to make your bum look smaller.
Ever wonder why I have doubts about black being the most slimming color? These skinny jeans offer a nice comparison. I have only one word to add: saddlebags.
Oh yes.. it looks like the contrast between the white background and black really makes the non-existent saddle bags stand out!!!
But I wonder, if walking through a city, whether the black would blend in more than the hot pink?
Well, the hot pink won’t really blend in anywhere will it? You’re right, though, it is the contrast with the background that really makes the black stand out, defining the bulges. With these particular pants on this person, I suspect the problem could be solved by a bigger size pants. Then they wouldn’t be straight up and down across the hips, emphasizing the thigh. Even though the teal are my favorite, the horizontal lines are a give-away that they’re too tight.
Huh. The black looks brown on my monitor.
On a triange/pear shape, ain’t NOTHIN’ gonna look good for those pants!
i agree that those pants are being worn too small, but also the shoes play a part. i experimented with my own skinny jeans– high heels made the hips more prominent, which surprises me because they are so often said to be slimming. when i put my little canvas flats back on, i looked a lot better.
I wonder what causes that? And do you have pictures of your experiment? 🙂
i wouldn’t look good in any of those skinny jeans…i hated that trend
My advice is to also steer clear of pink and teal, and go for other neutrals, like brown, navy, deep olive green, cinamon, khaki and of course charcoal, because these have enough receding qualities (not bright and obvious), but are generally more flattering for most people.
Of course, pick a warmer colour such as olive or cinamon if you’re warm, and a cool colour such as rose brown, or grey if you’re not.
That’s why I love dark jeans …
I think brown is best and i agree with veronica that neutrals are best option rather than pink and teal.