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Over 50 Style – Monthly Fashion Edit

Happy Tuesday ladies. Did you watch the game on Sunday? We didn’t even remember it was happening until it was almost over. I’m back today with my friend Cindy for our monthly fashion edit and this time it’s about wearing all black.

 

over 50 woman wearing black hat, black sweater and jeans
WEARING – similar HAT / similar V-NECK SWEATER / CABLE HOOP EARRINGS / similar DUSTER CARDIGAN / BLACK JEANS / BIRDIES SHOESsimilar BRACELET

It should come as no surprise to you that wearing black is my comfort zone. I’ve dressed this way for so many years that it’s an effort to wear color. I’ve been working hard to not wear black lately, but the truth is, I always feel great when I wear black.

Since I own so many black garments, I assumed I’d have tons of older outfit images to share…but I have very few. I did find this one from an RV trip to Palm Springs many years ago.

woman wearing black hat, black tee shrt and black pants
WEARING – similar HAT / TARGET TEE / STRETCH SLIM ANKLE PANT / SUEDE BALLET FLATS / similar SCARF

It’s funny, but I still wear all these pieces except the scarf which I lost on vacation. Of course, the $9.00 Tarjay tee has long since been replaced.

Do you look older wearing black?

According to color experts, wearing black dramatically ages your face by highlighting the shadows under your eyes, wrinkles on your cheeks, and dark lines under the chin. Yikes! That sounds scary. Why would anyone intentionally do that? Quite possibly because they love wearing black as I do.

woman wearing black hat and black v neck with black jeans

I admit the shadows look deeper under my eyes when I wear a black hat, but I’m already over it. There are too many fabulous black hats out there for me to never wear one.

woman wearing black sweater pants and shoes

In this outfit, I used texture to add interest. These stretch velvet pull-on pants got me through the holidays. I’m actually surprised to see them still available and now they’re marked down. My double sequin v-neck sweater is also still available and under $20. These are my velvet Birdies (on sale) that I wear, and wear, and wear. They seem to go with everything and are comfy on my wide feet.

woman wearing black and whte duster over all black outfit

Most of my all-black outfits include a black and white item, like this duster. These are the same slim stretch pants as above, a simple tee, and some super comfy sport sandals (on sale).

To this very simple all-black outfit I added a couple of silver necklaces and a Zebra print bag to jazz it up. Most of my all-black outfits are made with simple pieces and unfussy details. I’m very comfortable in black and save my items for many years because they never go out of style.

Do you wear all-black outfits?

Now let’s go over to Cindy Hattersley Design and see how amazing she looks.

37 Comments

  1. Patty Sabaliauskas says:

    I love black as well & was sad to hear you should not wear black after the age of 50. But after seeing you in black & you look great in black & that makes me feel better about wearing it. I’m also blonde & fair skinned like you so thank you for bringing black back into the light for me.
    Thanks again!!

    1. I love wearing black too! It’s classic.

  2. I used to wear black suits at work but usually with a feminine shirt. Now that I am retired I go for Colour but do love shade on shade, or column dressing. I like the last pic of you with some jewellery, less severe, and I would always wear black socks. I find that light colours are more flattering as we age but after saying all that, we must wear what makes us happy!

  3. Kathye Vance says:

    You look lovely wearing black! Keep it up.

  4. Paulette Levy says:

    Black is just so easy and depending on the cut of the outfit can be slimming. But I’m gravitating toward some color in my wardrobe -as I’ve watched your DRD series. Talbots is so great!

  5. I love colors that are greyed and softer, sort of a Armani palette, and romantic, like wedgewood, cerulean, ducks egg, and dove grey..I am a summer, and have always admired Grace Kelley looks, color seems to make me happier. I have used black to travel in as the suitcases have gotten smaller and smaller, but I’m moving towards grey as my neutral now and I’m loving it.

  6. I love black; and I too struggle not to wear it too much. Yet it is easy and always looks good, so it often wins.

  7. I too love black. Every time I shop, I go right for the black items.
    I do like mixing black textures with other black pieces. Most of the time I like black with black and beige or white or gray. I also have colored tops with black variegation through the fabric.
    All said, black is eloquent and I love it.
    All your choices looked very good on you. 😀

  8. Christine says:

    I, too, love all black. Black this always matches with black that; not so with reds and grays. With pearls, black is elegant. A black blazer with a pushed-up/stand-up collar is face and neck flattering. Everything comes in black. Sparkly fabrics are refined and chic when done in black.
    I purchased the black velvet leggings you’re wearing, Jennifer, and I LOVE them! I was surprised when they were on sale at $17 and still in stock in tall, which is quick to sell out.
    Black is timeless, easy to mix with trendy accessories to stay current. If an item comes in any color other than black and looks as good or better, I buy the other color because I can always find black items to suit me.

  9. Pink Azalea says:

    The v neck tops look good because they show more skin. If you love wearing black, then you should do what feels right to you. I also love black, but with my silver hair, light eyes and skin, I find it too harsh. I have switched most of my black pieces to navy or grey. That said, my coats are black as are my leather gloves, boots, sandals, and handbags. I love the crispness of black, the elegance of black. In the spring, imagine a pair of slim white jeans, untucked white blouse in linen with sleeves rolled up, black sandals, straw bag with black handle/fasteners, sunglasses, and pedicure – bright pink or red. That is how I would wear black. I love reading the comments. Thank you Jennifer for your blog.

  10. I wear a lighter top but still the black shoes, black jacket, Black pants and purse is my go to when I dress in a hurry. I wear black stockings because I don’t like the break at my overly white feet. I am moving to the new browns and find that they are working to replace a lot of my black.

    1. Browns are yummy. I just haven’t found one in a shade that plays nicely with what I already own.

      1. I love black. I do not think I would ever give it up, but I find myself buying more camel and white of late. I have plenty of black so it will still be prominent in my wardrobe. I love chocolate brown and camels. I found a gorgeous silk print blouse by Rails at Nordstrom recently. It has an abstract print with different browns against a cream background. I wore it today with camel slacks and a black oversized vest. I find I am not buying shoes or bags in black as much! And I find nude shoes much more versatile.

  11. I love an all black outfit. I think it looks classic & chic with gold jewellery. And, slimming, 😉 I always have a LBD in my wardrobe for evening dress. A pair of chandelier earrings or big hoops and you’re elegant and dressed to go. I’m not giving up on black because of age. It goes back to elegant, classic and chic dressing.

    1. My sentiments as well Joanna!
      -Brenda-

  12. I’m transitioning away from black shirts and tees because I feel that black worn near my face and neck is too harsh for my coloring. Navy is my new go-to neutral. It’s much more forgiving to my complexion. I’m really more of a color person. I enjoy wearing a wide range of mid tone hues. That said, everyone should wear what makes them feel comfortable and happy!

  13. Barb from Canada says:

    I personally do not wear black near my face. I will wear black jeans and black dressy pants and I would wear black dress, say in the evenings but no to wearing black near my face during the day. I just feel happier in lighter colors in general. You look wonderful wearing black!

  14. I love a basic LBD for an evening out.I just add a unique piece of jewelry and great shoes and am set to go. In terms of other black pieces, I do have black separates I can put together. But I always use that column of black as the backdrop for adding a pop of color. Since I knit and crochet, I have made lovely shawls and sweaters that add to the outfit.

  15. Good for you, you always appear so stylish. I believe there’s nothing better than feeling great when you walk out the door, no matter what color you choose!
    Thank you for what you do! Lucy

  16. Leslie Lord says:

    I love a long black silhouette it makes me feel taller! And slimmer!
    Am back counting my WW points and have shed 7 pounds and have more to lose…black is very forgiving.
    I like to wear a scarf or pearls with black to soften the effect.
    Stay safe!

  17. I love black. It makes dressing easy, always looks put together, and encourages many looks through creativity in accessories. And makes clothes washing easy…..no multiple brights to wash separately.

  18. I have always loved wearing black! Like you I have been trying to put more color into my wardrobe but just recently I really wanted to wear all black and wondered where everything was! Now I’m on the lookout for black again.

  19. Wear what you love! I also love black but try not to overdo it. Black and white outfits are my favorites, especially in the summer. I love your b&w duster and wish it was available. Let me know if you ever want to get rid of it!

  20. I still love a little black dress and I do have a Steve Jobs day every once in a while.

    I like column color dressing and adding color with cardigans, jackets and scarves. As I hit my 50’s I replaced many black pieces with dark grays and I like that better than black. And I love black and gray together.

    I love how you add texture. It’s still a challenge but you do it so expertly and I’m slowly learning.

  21. I often wear an all black column with a third piece…a colorful long sweater, jacket, opened longer shirt. My hair is now gray, and I feel more comfortable wearing all black with accessories or scarves. Plus…my sweet husband often compliments me when I wear black. Reason enough!!

  22. I always gravitate to black. Finding it easy to change up my look with jewelry, scarf, fun jacket or purse. Plus it’s slimming! I like all of your suggestions… I just might need to buy a hat!

  23. I can’t remember when I put together an all black outfit but I do love to anchor many of my styles with black. Black pants or jeans are a stable piece to build on. I have various black T-shirt’s and tanks that help build that first layer. My hair color and makeup choices have softened dramatically over the past years. Black was much easier to wear when my hair color was darker and I felt confident wearing bolder makeup.
    All that being said, a certain element of black will always be in my wardrobe but in smaller bits.
    Accessories can help to offset the contrast.
    It’s so interesting to see how each of us navigate this journey through life. My choices in color and style have been a slow moving train. All of a sudden, I see where I landed and I guess I’m ok with it.

  24. Black is slimming and elegant, but I rarely wear all black these days – unless I am going to a funeral or the blackness is relieved with a white and black garment (love your checked duster) or shows lots of skin (similar to your V neck and sleeveless outfits). Love the black hat on you! Have a great day.

  25. I think you look great in each of the black outfits.
    I enjoy wearing black also. Life is too short to not wear what you like and feel good in….as the kids say YOLO.

  26. I love the hats that you style! In fact, I bought one the other day and I’m so excited to wear it. I just need our temps to get out of the deep freeze so I can wear it. And yes, I also love all black!

  27. Your all black look is very elegant! I don’t see any black circles or wrinkles – your beautiful smile makes them invisible.

  28. I love all of these looks and I am going to check out those sandals. I am on the hunt for a comfy, flattering new pair. Is that too much to ask? Probably! It is funny that you mentioned texture. To me it is all about that when wearing all black. I did not have any trouble finding a lot of old black images. Obviously I wear way too much black. It’s funny about not wearing black near your face. It is a trade off I guess. Right now I am way too heavy so the trade off is I don’t look like a tub in black! Working on that!

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