Understatement is so overrated. That being my credo, perhaps it’s surprising that I’m thrilled that the fashion gods have decreed that Black is Back.
In fact, those of us committed to the achromatic–men and women alike–know that black never left the building.
We’re always on the lookout for the perfect black T-shirt, slacks, turtleneck, jacket, jeans, sweater, suit, skirt, blouse, cami, swimsuit, coat, parka, pump, flat, loafer, purse, evening bag, computer bag, wallet, tote, suitcase, briefcase, scarf, belt, umbrella and, needless to say, little black dress (LBD).
Anyone who travels a lot, works in an office (other than a pristine white laboratory), has messy kids or animals, drinks red wine or coffee, or tries to keep dry cleaning bills to a minimum already knows the virtues of black. Plus, of course, it’s wonderfully slimming.
Yeah, yeah, this Ode to Black has an asterisk. Except for the foresighted few who have wisely chosen a black pet, we all know that nothing shows dog and cat hair better than black. That’s why we have those sticky lint rollers in every room in the house.
The question on the table is this: How can boring black co-exist with our urge to be noticed?
In a word: accessories.
The very syllables warm my heart, stir my juices and propel me out the door to find the one divine thing that will shoot that little black dress to the top of the chart. And you tasteful fellas who prefer an all-black wardrobe? You too can be a standout (see below right).
The truth is that by choosing black and a single accessory we can call attention to any part of our bodies–or, better yet, divert attention from those places we’d just as soon forget.
It’s almost counterintuitive. Got big hips? Wear a great necklace. Bust too small? Fantastic shoes are the answer.
As for emphasizing the positive, if your tiny waist is your best feature, a major belt will shout about it. Want to bring all eyes to your impressive cleavage? Perch a flashy brooch on your embon-point.
You can change your whole vibe. An armful of Indian bangles and you’re a carefree gypsy. Ditch those for a little pink sparkly scarf and all of a sudden you’re girlie sweet.
A well-chosen accessory–a jeweled typewriter pin in my case–even can signal what you do for a living. And what tells a White Sox fan “I am so not interested” better than “C-U-B-S” spelled out in rhinestones on a black lapel.
That, in short, is the power of accessories.
Unless you’re a recent lottery winner, forget the four (or five) figure “It” bag–the absurdly expensive purses pictured in Vogue and InStyle on the arms of Kate Hudson and Lindsay Lohan.
Instead, take a stroll, as I did recently through ALDO, for good looking and durable on-trend handbags under $50 or Urban Outfitters for belts and scarves that could turn your LBD into a dozen different looks from prepster to evening suave.
Shrugs–those cropped mini-sweaters that barely cover the bosom–are everywhere, and one of the best is by Betsey Johnson, covered in coppery sequins, at Urban Outfitters for $88. At Forever 21, an accesorizer’s paradise, a similar copper shrug was well-priced at $34.80. You can skip the paillettes and go for a knit one at the same store in dark green or deep teal for a bohemian look. At $12.80, it’s virtually disposable.
I’ve been jonesing for colorful leather gloves and Club Monaco has some beauties in bright orange for $59. Lalique’s wide suede cuff bracelets, in red, purple or black and embellished with an embroidered coiled snake, is a statement piece for $235.
At H&M on Michigan Avenue, I was so jazzed by the options to make the LBD pop that I needed someone to shoot me with a tranquilizer dart. I finally opted for a More-is-More trio of three heavy metal bracelets ($5.90 each). These were from the men’s department, an untapped resource for creative shoppers. With complementary (men’s) necklaces priced at $3.90 to $9.90, three or four worn at the same time would pack a wallop (though do not try to pass through a metal detector in this getup).
Options are limitless for that single piece to make your LBD a WOW. What are you waiting for? Get going.
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The shops
ALDO, 605 N. Michigan Ave., aldoshoes.com
Allen-Edmonds, 541 N. Michigan Ave., 122 S. LaSalle St., allenedmonds.com
Arden B., 107 E. Oak St., ardenb.com
Club Monaco, 900 N. Michigan Ave., clubmonaco.com
Forever 21, 520 N. Michigan Ave., 34 S. State St., forever21.com
Gucci, 900 N. Michigan Ave., gucci.com
H&M, 840 N. Michigan Ave., 22 N. State St., hm.com
Hermes, 110 E. Oak St., hermes.com
Kenneth Cole, 540 N. Michigan Ave., kennethcole.com
Lalique, 900 N. Michigan Ave., lalique.com
Nordstrom, 520 N. Michigan Ave., nordstrom.com
Urban Outfitters, 935 N. Rush St., 2352 N. Clark St., urbanoutfitters.com
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Men look great in black
To make this absence of color your own personal signature is so simple, even a (shopping-averse) man can do it.
All it takes is a really fine shoe. Try black suede from Gucci, Allen-Edmonds or Kenneth Cole. My current tough-guy favorite, just shy of biker chic, is one my brother Dan was sporting recently, a short black Frye boot called the Engineer 12 R (fryeboots.com, $189.99).
Most men can’t be bothered with French cuffs, which is why really cool cufflinks can be found at vintage and garage sales. They can really turn a mundane look into something unique.
Finally, you can’t go wrong in a beautiful black cashmere jacket with a colorful pocket silk. It’s probably because I’m a pencil-pushing journo but I fell for the luxe $100 one shown here covered in colored pencils and pencil shavings from Hermes. Magnifique.
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What are you wearing to make your basic black a standout? Tell me at chicagotribune.com/shopellen.
shopellen@tribune.com
