Black is one of the most common colours to crop up in my wardrobe, yet I realised recently that I hardly ever wear head to toe black anymore. It used to be an everyday thing, but I think I stopped rocking it all the time because of my Fat Girls Shouldn’t Wear Stripes project. That kind of left me feeling like I was somehow obliged to wear a lot of colour, in an attempt to “disprove” all of the things that people say about what fat women should or should not wear. Now I feel like I’ve lost my fashion voice a little.
You see, growing up I was told that I should wear black because it was “slimming”. Magazines said so, fashion said so (shout out to all the retailers of plus size clothing who pretty much only sold clothes in black or heinous prints from the 80’s until the 00’s – I’m talking to you here) and the women I knew said so, even when I was a little girl, like it was one of the secrets of womanhood.
Slimming. Because that’s all women (regardless of how fat they are) are meant to want right, to be thinner? Fuck off. seriously – I’m pretty fat, and I doubt that any amount of clothing, no matter how dark, could make me look thin. If I wanted to “look smaller” I would stand far away in the distance – although that would made conversation difficult.
I actually resent the idea that is the only reason I would wear black. I wear black because it’s awesome. It is a great neutral base that allows me to experiment with textures, fabrics, different accessories … and it really makes my hair stand out. Black is stylish, sophisticated and simple, and in New Zealand it has a long history of being a significant colour to our fashion. I wrote a number of essays on this very subject while I was at uni, but if you want to read more about this I highly recommend The History of Black in Fashion, Society and Culture in New Zealand by Doris De Pont – it’s a fascinating book that will give you a great insight to the importance of black in New Zealand’s fashion culture.
It’s okay to wear black, I don’t have to wear all of the colours and patterns now available to me if I don’t want to. I’ll just be here, witching it up in my darker than night clothes, because I think they express my personality and moods well. Sounds like it’s time for a wardrobe clearout to help refine my fashion voice…
How do you wear black – head to toe or with other colours?
Meagan wears:
Kate Madison 3/4 Sleeve Scoop Neck Top from The Warehouse (24)
Yourself Luxe Ponti Panelled Skirt from Farmers (4XL)
Head Over Heels Bronte Ankle Boots from Number One Shoes (9)
Xcesri Belt from Farmers
Scala Fedora from Hatworx
Images by Doug Peters / Ambient Light Photography
I hear you!! i just really like wearing black!! But kinda felt like I shouldn’t for a while to disprove the naysayers!
I probably wear a lot more colour than I used to now, but If i wanna wear head to toe black, then I absolutely will.
your hair looks amazing against all black! x
Right?! Rock it girl! xo
This all black look on you is great! And you are so right, your hair stands out and looks so magnificent!!
Thanks Charlene!
It is so true about the whole black makes you look slimming! Hahahaa… I used to wear so much black as a teenager and my mother hated it. She thought black should only be worn to a funeral. 😉 I really want to check out that book, I love anything related to fashion history… and you Kiwis and ALL blacks! 😛 Sorry lame joke. I love your hair with this look, it is looks fab and black can be stylish, simple and elegant too, mixing textures and tones, like you said.
Thanks Alison! It’s a really great book, I read it a number of times while I was at uni and it’s one that I’d love to buy some day. Black really is ingrained into Kiwi style!
I’ve always worn a lot of black too – and still do. Partly because it’s slimming, true, but also because I think it’s the one of the only two neutrals (the other one is pure, stark, bright white) that agree with my skintone – warm colours wash me out big time. I’m a true “Winter” (cool-toned jewel) Asian through and through.
If I wanted to “look smaller” I would stand far away in the distance – although that would made conversation difficult. – this cracked me up Megan! But very true!
What can I say, I’m a scream! I’ve never be a fan of pure white on my (mostly because of my tendency to get dirty), I’m more of a cream gal. Funny how much our skin tones play a part in what we wear, isn’t it?
Yeah. 🙂 Cream makes me look like I’m sick.
Forgot to say – LOVE your hat. 🙂
I really like wearing all black too. When I was a size 22/24 lots of my clothes were black and I’m not sure if that’s because there wasn’t much else choice or really why. Now that I’m a ‘normal’ size I still have a disproportionally large amount of black clothes and you know what it’s because I love them. I was dressed all in black today and I felt super comfortable. Just wear what makes you happy and what you feel like wearing because that’s all that matters at the end of the day!
I think black looks great regardless of what size you are, especially if you put effort into styling it well! Sounds like black really is part of your style, and that’s awesome!
That dress looks fantastic! I only ever used to have head to toe black as my work wardrobe, I actually have to make a conscious effort to buy colour. You’re so right…black is not ‘slimming’, it’s not the magical fixer it claims to be, why do people say that?
Thanks lovely! I guess that technically black is slimming because of the optical effect it has, but really it’s only slight (certainly not enough to make a big difference) – clearly just another way to prey on peoples insecurities!
I loved what you said about black being slimming – wearing a black dress doesn’t make me drop 3 dress sizes!! I mainly wear black pants and skirts, and lots of colourful tops. As a kid my mum got my “colours” done where they see what colours suit your skin tone best, and black tops really don’t flatter my skin so I stay away from them. Your hair looks amazing with this all black!
I think my hair helps to balance out the black – when I had black hair and wore all black it made me a bit washed out. I love that you had your colours done! For me it’s intuitive, but it’s something I highly recommend!