It is easy to look good wearing nothing but black. It is also easy to look like a goth or a ninja, but my point is this – put on some fitted black clothes and at the very least you’ll look gallery-opening ready if not Sartorialist-worthy. But our eyes have rods and cones for a reason; they cry out for a splash of color (that’s “colour” for all my Canadian brethren).
Dressing in nothing but blacks and greys is equivalent, in my mind at least, to wearing nothing but Dior or Armani – certainly you will look good, but that could leave you zzz zzzzzzz…what? Oh I’m sorry – those choices were so boring I fell asleep.
Many stores seem to be embracing colorful pallets as evidence by their scarves and ties, but I think this isn’t going nearly far enough. It’s time to take our cues from Modern Amusement and Etro and let it permeate our entire look.
When adding color do
- choose contrasting patterns (such as checks with stripes)
- think inside out – color on the inside with neutrals on the outside, and vice versa
- focus less on matching and more on coordination
- remember the color wheel.
Try to avoid
- overwhelming with accessories (scarves with shoes with gloves = clown)
- top loading or bottom loading the look (vibrant colored shirt paired with black pants and shoes)
I’m not opposed to the recent obsession with neon, but I find too much of it makes you look like a traffic cone. But if you have the moxy try going with a neon pocket square and posting the result. If nothing else you’ll make me smile.
What a lovely suit.