To give myself a break, I’m re-running controversial posts all week. 🙂
When I was a young person, back in the 70s, I don’t think I owned a single item in black. Black was matronly. My how times have changed! Walk by any high school in America and you are likely to see more black almost than denim. It’s not so different among us moms, we just are more likely to mix it up a little.
So why do people favor black?
Some possible reasons:
- It’s easy.
- A desire to blend in with the crowd.
- It’s sophisticated, glamorous, or sexy.
- Makes a young person look older.
- Drama. Black emphasizes by contrast bright or pale colors.
- Probably the most controversial reason: to appear unhappy.
Do you think black is appropriate for a young person?
And why do you wear black?
When I was in high school I had black pants, black shirts, black hats, black gloves and Best of all – a HUGE black trench coat. (and at one point dyed my hair black -but that was for a play at my theatre school) My main reason was that it all matched so I didn’t have to think about it. Second reason – I looked good in black. Unfortunately, it led to my being placed on the suicide watch list at my school…tthhhhpppp!
I don’t see anything wrong with young ones wearing black.
Oh – and I still wear black – but not as much.
I love black. It’s flattering on virtually everyone. It’s simple and classic. And easy to match with other colors and/or prints. And I think it’s appropriate for a young person as long as they’re not dressing head-to-toe in black. Long live black! 🙂
I was in that first generation of “grunge,” and I definitely wore my share of black. But it was because my hair was usually hot pink or purple, and try matching that with normal clothes! When my hair was a “normal” color, I wore my “normal” clothes. (even my black clothes were fashionable- no baggy t-shirts for me.) So that’s why I wore black, but my friends?
My friends always wore black, and they wore black for drama, to stand out, to be “different” (or to be seen as a rebel). I don’t know anyone who actually wore black in order to *look* unhappy. Many of them were unhappy, but black was more of an unconscious thing as it related to their emotion.
I don’t think it was *wrong* for them (or me) to wear all black. If you really are in that state of mind- to be rebellious, or depressed, then let them express it (through clothes! just clothes! please!).
Of course I am hoping my children never go there. None of us (me or my all-black-wearing friends) had Christ, or the Light which brings joy and peace, and I am hoping my children will have and *share* that light. Wearing all black (with most teens, I believe) is an extension of what is going on inside- which is why they put Blest on the suicide watch.
I agree with the idea that wearing black is an extension of what’s going on inside of young people and perhaps a bit more of a concern if they are also part of a small group that’s feeling the same and black clad. Though at my son’s uniform-only arts high school the uniform specified khakis – either khaki or black – and a school polo, either black or white. I found it amusing to imagine a whole school full of black clad students who could not be rebelling or acting out while wearing it.
When I was 3 my father said I could pick the color my bedroom was to be painted. My mother objected and my father brushed this off. I was elated. I immediately chose my favorite color: black. I envisioned it as something textural like velvet or flocking. Was very hurt when he immediately rejected this idea. I loved black velvet dresses on little girls and black patent maryjanes. I didn’t have any of that.
Eventually, in high school I owned a couple of black wool skirts and a black turtleneck. In college, when I went down to U.VA to visit a boy I got off the train wearing the black box pleated skirt and the turtleneck. “Are you an art major?” he asked, critically. I didn’t understand
what he was talking about. I did know about the beatniks and the gashouse in Venice where I stayed with my grandfather but I didn’t make the connection. It might have been the last time I wore that outfit.
I don’t think I wore all black again until my 30’s when I bought a black cotton wrap dress with wide ruffling over the shoulder and that could be worn back to front – either with a v-neck or a square neck. I got this in Key West the first night I was there, to go out to dinner. It was my favorite dress for a long, long time. The first time I dated my husband I wore a black velour jumpsuit that I had had to find in the loungewear/sleepwear department. I think almost all my favorite clothes have been black but none of them “plain” clothes.
So, yes, black, I still love it. I like it now because it’s architectural, though the finish matters to me and I don’t tend to wear much matte black. I was always fascinated by the Sargent painting Madame X – they have it hanging here in Philadelphia. Though after studying up on it some, she was nobody’s role model.
Great question and I appreciate being able to think about it.
I don’t even wear black to funerals; black isn’t flattering on someone with my coloring and I don’t think it is flattering on a lot of people who wear it (Spring/Fall color scheme persons if you know the Color Me Beautiful “colors”). I think it looks nice on people with the right coloring. I think it is an extension of what is “inside” for some people, but not all (it does look good on some people and I know others who wear it for its slimming affect, but on the bottom parts of their bodies only). Almost all German teens wear it all the time and while living there it was very depressing to see that (a majority also darkened/reddened their hair as well, adding to the “dark” appearance). Black is good for some, but not all, in my opinion.
Susan
I have always worn black and I think that I look good in it, however, one day I went to my closet and suddenly it dawned on me that I had LOTS of black. I began to wonder if I might be looking like I was going to a funeral every time I left home.
I still like black and I still wear it, but not all-over, and not all the time. I’m turning to browns a little bit more now.
Did wearing black reflect what I was feeling inside? I don’t think so. I also liked black while in high school and chose a black patterned bedspread when we kids were all were getting new ones. I was a fairly happy person, outgoing, hard-working and a good citizen. I just liked black. (Usually it was black & white together). A funny thing…..I was waiting at the drivers examiner’s today and picked up a Better Homes and Gardens and was flipping through it and landed on a page that spoke of how to use black and white in the home. I was immediately drawn to it. I don’t have B&W in my house anywhere. I do have a black shelf tho and plan to paint another piece of furniture black. (think accent pieces)
Jody
One more comment……
When my daughter and I were visiting England, we noticed especially in London, that most people wear black. I’m not sure if it’s mainly to look professional , because it’s classic, because it rains all the time and your pants get dirty, because riding on the Tube is sooty or if most people just don’t care to stand out. I REALLY stood out while wearing my turquoise raincoat everywhere! (She’s an American!!) I had wished that I had had a black one when I realized I wasn’t melding with everyone else.
~Jody
I can see I left the biggest reason off the list: because it looks good on the individual! But I agree with Susan, it’s not for everybody.
And here I was just thinking “Well, it matches EVERYTHING”–you guys are making me feel shallow.
I think I was lumping that reason in with “it’s easy”.
The other biggie that I didn’t list (that’s been mentioned): too make them look thinner. In my opinion, other, softer darks are just as good, maybe better. Prints, too. Oooo … sounds like a fashion lab!
I wore all black frequently as a teen. It wasn’t something that I was even aware of doing — I never went to the store searching out black clothing specifically, but it was what I wore 85% of the time.
As a child/teen, I grew up in a very rigid, ulta-conservative relgious believing family, and did not have many outlets to vent how I was feeling or how they were making me feel. I could not wear outrageous clothing (actually couldn’t wear anything but skirts/dressed). I got disproval at wearing black from some people (including my parents), which I think subconciously made me want to do it more. It was my way to stand out, to go against the flow, to let them know that I didn’t want to be like them, and wanted to be my own person. However like I said, I never intended to.
I think black can be a state of mind for teens. I know during the times that I wore all black, it was for me. I was in a very, very lost, hurting, angry and lonely time in my life.
I don’t wear all black anymore at all. I have a few black tops and a pair of black dress pants and a black skirt, but I don’t even wear those often. I’m glad to be in a different place in my life, and I don’t feel as drawn to black. But the times I do wear it, it’s because I think black is flattering to my figure, matches well with a top/bottom that I’m also wearing, etc. I never just look in my closet and feel like wearing black, like I did back then.
Good topic!
We stereo type a lot of things and associate different colours with different states of mind .as far as black is concerned a lot of people associate black with darkness and Unknown .henve they associate it with other feelings they have regarding unknown,fear and depression being among them .As for me I feel differently about black .black is that which absorbs light with ease and also emits light with ease as if u consider physics black is very good not only at absorbing light but also emmitimg light when heated .black is in a way conductor to white .it is the capacity for white to exist .and as light represents knowledge ,consciousness for me black represents my love for light and curiosity for knowledge .it represents a mind capable of absorbing knowledge and conveying it in a comprehensive manner .i love black Cz only in solitude and isolation from other bright lights can I see my own light and attend to its well being and growth .black represents something which is a protective and conducting region ,from where I can interact with the outer world without being overwhelmed so that I can nourish the flame within the light within .so that I can see using the light without being blinded by it .l love black Cz in truth I love white that is my self ,I love light my light a light that is ready to interact with the outer world but not ready to be put out by the others .for me black is not a way to stand out but it is humility that just Cz I possess light it doesn’t have to mean that I am a show off but it must be visible to me .that is why I wear black on the outside and white on the inside
I remember my mom wouldn’t let me get a black and bronze dress I wanted until I was a senior. She said it was too mature (it was, but it looked great on me). It had long sleeves, faux wrap bodice with bronze appliqué, and hit just below the knee. I wore it to a semi-formal dance. I had black hair at the time, and I think I wanted to look glamorous.
Rebecca, you must have forgotten your black formal dress, with the spaghetti straps and multi-colored accents across the gathered bustline. (the danger of letting your sister read your blog)
I have worn a lot of black for years, but I am moving towards more browns. Black is starting to look harsh to me, and somewhat overused. I have more black shoes/boots than anything else, though!
It seems I have a lot of kindred spirits among the readers here.
I went through a black phase in high school, also. My main motivations were that it matched everything and was slimming, but at some point it became an expression of wanting to be different and trying to figure out who I was. I can only remember one time where I specifically bought something because it was black. These days, when I think back on high school and all the outrageous phases I went through, I can’t help but feel immense gratitude toward my parents for never discouraging or trying to hurry me through those phases. It was one of the few ways I expressed myself, or my confusion about myself, and being allowed to dress how I wanted taught me a lot about myself. My point is that I don’t think a teen wearing black, or even all black, should be cause for concern. If there are other alarming behaviors, then I would be worried but black, by itself, isn’t so bad.
These days, I am far more drawn to browns as a neutral because it turns out that black makes me look like death with brown hair. It’s been a slow shift as I’ve only started about 8 months ago. I still own lots of black pieces, but I am far less likely to pick them as a default.
Ah yes, Beth, I remember that dress. Part of the gypsy look, I think. Do you remember what I paid for it? As I recall, it was quite the bargain. And, with spaghetti straps and the yellow and orange stitching, it was probably still pretty flattering. Not that I was thinking about that then. 🙂
I wear black to dress up more, especially in the evening. Black does add drama and sophistication. It also creates a great backdrop for accessories. One of my favorite outfits right now is my little black dress with a wide white belt worn high on my waist and a big see-through black hat.
I’m not a huge fan of an all-black ensemble, although it really depends on how you wear it. (Black jeans + black shirt + black trench coat 😉 could definitely reflect a “morbid” teen outlook. But a LBD or black skirt & top for the office is another. I think black is great, it’s classic, goes with lots of things, and you can easily accessorize it. OTOH, black can be HOT in summer, look overly dressy for some occasions, and yeah, it can be bland. For teens, I think black is perfectly acceptable – black skirt, top, whatever.
The problem comes when you like both black and brown and try to build wardrobes around them. *sheepish* Lots of things don’t mix, let me tell you!
A few years back, I discarded all but one pair of brown shoes and dedicated myself to all black in the belt/shoe/bag department – and that married well with my tendency toward black/white/charcoal/khaki as my wardrobe base. I rejected browns b/c they were more difficult to match and blacks are much less so (in accessories) – a brown belt and brown shoes are almost never the same brown and it is easier to see than a black belt that is a bluer black than the shoe.
It’s less important for browns to match in my life, so I am changing my approach.
In the last season, I have rebuilt my brown accessory stash. I think it is a little bit about maturity – I don’t feel like “trying” in that way anymore and about the “match” thing –
Oxanna, I think black and brown is swell together! Add in a 3d or 4th color:
black, brown, oyster white
black, brown, white, charcoal
black, brown, white, teal or ocean blue
I’d agree with those who feel that the wearing of black by young people (or any age group for that matter) in and of itself is not a cause for concern.
I personally couldn’t do without black in my wardrobe (and I don’t remember when that wasn’t true — as a youngster our school uniforms were black, white or gold blouse depending, with a golden crest in the centre of the jumper) particularly in outerwear (although you’d have a real tussle to get me to part with my black suit, black sweaters or black leather jacket). It is practical for a public transit user, can be dressy or casual, looks good on me, and truly allows me to make a colour statement with my shoes or purse.
i have a lot of black clothes cos i really like black. but i make sure to mix it up by using textures and different shades of black, or really colorful accessories!
I think people need to understand that there are different shades of black, and you can’t just throw a whole bunch of black things together and expect the to look good! I didn’t understand this as a goth teen — and man I looked hideous. But I was happy, and that’s the main thing.
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Black looks better on you the younger you are. It is ageing, and you may be young enough to aim for ‘sophisticated’. Or you may be old enough to end up with ‘frumpy and lacking in imagination and/or confidence’. OR you may be a lucky person who actually looks good in it and can rock it regardless of age!
As a teenager?
I wear black to little more grown-up (if you’re done with high-school, I’m sure you don’t remember it’s misery in technicolor. To be fair, any time when you’re put out of a comfort zone and told to conform can be a little daunting.)
I like how you can’t buy it from Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister, or American Eagle.
It’s a more ‘city’ look. I live close to a major city, and most of the people there wear a lot of black, especially in the winter. While in Munich Germany and Austria, I noticed a great deal of black as well. I think there is an inverse relationship between the amount of black in one’s wardrobe and the miles to the nearest city.
I think it’s the same with people in their 20s, they are wearing it to look more sophisticated.
Nice theory about the city thing. 😉
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I wear black because I live in a large northern city (in North America) with limited sunlight where black works. YOU try 5 full months a year with slush, salted streets, snowbanks and pelting rain in a pair of ivory pants.
I also wear black because it suits my lifestyle, shows my jewelry well, is easy to coordinate and compliments my red hair.
In my past people have suggested I “wear more colour” but they were relatively unsophisticated, or just liked colour themselves and thought everyone should wear it. I feel great in a black leather pencil skirt, black cashmere V-neck and big string of amethyst, turquoise and pearl beads, black tights and boots.
The quality of clothes matters enormously. A lumpy-seamed black skirt or cheap black blouse looks dreadful and it’s not the black. Too young to wear black? Again, I think it’s the style, including hair, make up and accessories.
Like you, Rebecca, I never wore black in my teens. I did start wearing it at work to look more authorative in my 20s. I may have commanded more respect (I also wore navy, burgundy and taupe; that job was as interesting as that colour palette) but I looked not so good. I got away with it because I was young. Today, I only wear black on rare occasions. I am a pale redhead and for most redheads, black is their worst colour over a certain age.
My son’s school has uniforms, from Land’s End. They can wear black pants and black polo shirts, but few do. However, I know my son wears a lot of black out of school. I did ask him why he didn’t wear an all black outfit. He replied that all black would get him a trip to the guidance counsellor’s office. He says he does wear black outside of school because it’s cool (he actually used a more recent teen equivalent of cool) and older. I would add that it’s part of his semi “tortured artist” persona too.
It’s interesting, how this one colour (or absence of colour) evokes such strong emotions.
Christine
Up until about a year ago I very, very rarely wore black. Like, I had maybe ONE black item in my whole wardrobe. I’m not sure why. I used to wear a lot of denim, and I guess black just didn’t come into the equation. However, now (at age 47) I’ve discovered I look fabulous in black, and also classy (according to my husband) and I love using black extensively.
I think black has addictive properties. Last week I attempted to buy a T-shirt, but I wore black pants to the store. Crisis ensued because I could neither buy a shirt without black nor find a black shirt that in combination with my pants did not make me cringe. It was an odd paradox.