Wearing black in Spring, Summer, Autumn etc.

MartavTaurus

What is this obsession with wearing black in European cities?

I'm off to a different place for a change this Easter, (usually Paris or Nornandy ), and yet again, looking at current pictures, it's a uniform of black trousers, black sweatshirts and black jackets. Don't they realise once the sun comes out it's time to add a bit of colour?

This isn't just an older generation, it's all the younger people. And there was I thinking Boden items would look nice. So time for a rethink methinks.

Wow. If you (OP) are prepared to ridicule other countries cultures in this way why on earth do you want to holiday abroad?

DaisyAnneReturns

MartavTaurus

What is this obsession with wearing black in European cities?

I'm off to a different place for a change this Easter, (usually Paris or Nornandy ), and yet again, looking at current pictures, it's a uniform of black trousers, black sweatshirts and black jackets. Don't they realise once the sun comes out it's time to add a bit of colour?

This isn't just an older generation, it's all the younger people. And there was I thinking Boden items would look nice. So time for a rethink methinks.

Wow. If you (OP) are prepared to ridicule other countries cultures in this way why on earth do you want to holiday abroad?

Not sure she's ridiculing their culture rather - their taste in fashion!

You can always tell the Brits when abroad - they are the ones in beige cropped trousers and cheap looking baggy t shirts, men with beer bellies and polyester football tops, or no top at all. It’s a bit much criticising Parisians or Milanese who look chic and well groomed whether wearing black or not. I’ve just been to a swanky daytime event in Paris where I noticed lots of white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours.

I don't think you understood the jist of the thread DaisyAnneReturns under the heading Style & Beauty ! Where was there ridicule or criticism of other countries' culture? Thank you, Dickens.

DAR actually quoted the OP where I said I was looking at up-to-the-minute pictures, (on Facebook), of places in a town I was due to visit. I was surprised how many people were wearing black on sunnier Spring days, and thinking how my colourful garments would stand out. Other posters discussed personal preferences.

But if you want to now turn this into a thread attacking ridicule of other countries' cultures, go ahead.

Vegansrock
You obviously go to the same locations as these people or is your scathing opinion second hand.
And btw you can spot the same people in Paris.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202603/medium-d3kg2g-1000048020.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202603/medium-e8qzql-1000048022.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202603/medium-a85vyy-1000048021.jpg

I think your photo shows quite a lot of jeans to be honest - mostly blue.

I'm assuming this was La Rua Augusta
So here are some other images taken there in case you are interested.

Oh here's one in colder weather...

Not saying there's no black but I honestly haven't noticed the colour thing - I have noticed that the city style in say, Paris or Milan, or Lecce or Lyon is different to here though.

I admit I did find too much colour in North America though!

If I look at "fashion" from country to country, Dickens it seems to be obvious that the fashion has been influenced by their culture. For example, in France, a country mentioned in the original “attack on black”, fashion traditions have long been influenced by its Catholic heritage. In that context, the question historically was not whether one would wear black, but when, as black clothing was associated with formality, modesty, and religious customs.

By contrast, countries that traditionally favour more colorful attire are often those with warmer climates and non-Christian cultural origins (at least historically). In such regions, brighter colors can reflect environmental conditions, local traditions, and different symbolic meanings attached to clothing.

But why go to a country on holiday if you are so offended by its population. Unless, of course, you enjoy being offended?

Why fit in with the crowd be different where some lovely fresh spring colours and perhaps you will inspire them to do the same, start a new trend😍

Re MartavTaurus post -Wed 25-Mar-26 14:56:35

I understand that you may expect people to read your post as you hear it when you write it. However, the tone does carry a few elements that can come across as irritating or even offensive, depending on how you read it.

You use generalising and stereotyping, implicit cultural judgment, a mildly patronising tone, cultural insensitivity (light, but present), and subtle self-centering.

While to some that may be ordinary conversation I think you have to accept that some might find it offensive. Both, of course, have the right to reply.

My goodness, one might well ask why Gransnetters make such aggressive answers to a perfectly reasonable question too!

MartavTaurus I know from your posts that you do spend time overseas so probably speak from experience.

The first time I went to France I was 18 and astonished that so many young people were wearing grey, black and white; perhaps we British girls liked more colour because our school uniforms were drab colours.

Now I notice lot of young people, teenagers in particular (including my own DGC) wear a lot of grey and black. Colour is out.

Is it chic or just plain boring? Is it just a trend which will change as fashions change?

I do like some colour but perhaps I'm old-fashioned.

MartavTaurus

What is this obsession with wearing black in European cities?

I'm off to a different place for a change this Easter, (usually Paris or Nornandy ), and yet again, looking at current pictures, it's a uniform of black trousers, black sweatshirts and black jackets. Don't they realise once the sun comes out it's time to add a bit of colour?

This isn't just an older generation, it's all the younger people. And there was I thinking Boden items would look nice. So time for a rethink methinks.

Ps DD and friends went to Paris and it happened to be Paris Fashion Week, I'll have to ask her what the trends were. Models were walking through the streets in the finery.

Wyllow3

Beige and related colours.......*why*!!! Even with a nice scarf.

I remember years ago middle-aged women were wearing a lot of beige, it seemed to be the trend at the time.

I do have a camel coat but only wore it one last winter. (With coloured scarf) Everyone else seems to wear puffer jackets!!

vegansrock

You can always tell the Brits when abroad - they are the ones in beige cropped trousers and cheap looking baggy t shirts, men with beer bellies and polyester football tops, or no top at all. It’s a bit much criticising Parisians or Milanese who look chic and well groomed whether wearing black or not. I’ve just been to a swanky daytime event in Paris where I noticed lots of white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours.

Well, that's stereotyping too.

I doubt that my DH has ever worn a football shirt in his life!!

We can't all afford (or waste money on) a bag for €3,000 either.
Even if I won a million, I wouldn't!
By the way, have you ever been to a crocodile farm where the leather for those swanky H bags is produced? I have, never thought it would be possible to feel sorry for a crocodile but I did, vegansrock.

DaisyAnneReturns

^Re MartavTaurus post -Wed 25-Mar-26 14:56:35^

I understand that you may expect people to read your post as you hear it when you write it. However, the tone does carry a few elements that can come across as irritating or even offensive, depending on how you read it.

You use generalising and stereotyping, implicit cultural judgment, a mildly patronising tone, cultural insensitivity (light, but present), and subtle self-centering.

While to some that may be ordinary conversation I think you have to accept that some might find it offensive. Both, of course, have the right to reply.

I think you’re the only poster to take that from the OP!
This is a lighthearted thread btw and not an opportunity to criticise another poster for no reason.

vegansrock

You can always tell the Brits when abroad - they are the ones in beige cropped trousers and cheap looking baggy t shirts, men with beer bellies and polyester football tops, or no top at all. It’s a bit much criticising Parisians or Milanese who look chic and well groomed whether wearing black or not. I’ve just been to a swanky daytime event in Paris where I noticed lots of white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours.

It depends, a ‘very swanky event* in most countries would have people wearing expensive finery beyond the means of most mere mortals.
Football shirts and beer bellies are not exclusive to Brits.

I agree.

At one time black was strictly for funerals, evening wear (plus a bit of sparkle perhaps) and Goths! One of DD's lovely friends was a Goth for a while, now a middle-aged married woman with a family 😁

Mind you, the boring blue jeans are ubiquitous too.

My post was in reply to Oreo.

Jaxjacky

vegansrock

You can always tell the Brits when abroad - they are the ones in beige cropped trousers and cheap looking baggy t shirts, men with beer bellies and polyester football tops, or no top at all. It’s a bit much criticising Parisians or Milanese who look chic and well groomed whether wearing black or not. I’ve just been to a swanky daytime event in Paris where I noticed lots of white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours.

It depends, a ‘very swanky event* in most countries would have people wearing expensive finery beyond the means of most mere mortals.
Football shirts and beer bellies are not exclusive to Brits.

Allez les bleus!! 😁

vegansrock

You can always tell the Brits when abroad - they are the ones in beige cropped trousers and cheap looking baggy t shirts, men with beer bellies and polyester football tops, or no top at all. It’s a bit much criticising Parisians or Milanese who look chic and well groomed whether wearing black or not. I’ve just been to a swanky daytime event in Paris where I noticed lots of white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours.

You clearly do not holiday where we holiday. Lots of Brits whose dress is indistinguishable from what locals wear.

The problem with France is that all that elegance is confined to Paris, move out of Paris to the provinces and the shoppers in a British supermarket are far better dressed and turned out than the average French person in LeClerc or Carrefour.

By the way veganrocks I assume at this swanky event in Paris that you too were dressed to match in white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours

vegansrock

You can always tell the Brits when abroad - they are the ones in beige cropped trousers and cheap looking baggy t shirts, men with beer bellies and polyester football tops, or no top at all. It’s a bit much criticising Parisians or Milanese who look chic and well groomed whether wearing black or not. I’ve just been to a swanky daytime event in Paris where I noticed lots of white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours.

How judgmental !!! . I’m very well traveled and have never worn beige trousers, cropped or full length. And my DH wouldn’t be seen dead in a football shirt .

By the way veganrocks I assume at this swanky event in Paris that you too were dressed to match in white shirts and silk scarves from a brand beginning with H,(€900) designer bags ( at least €3000), tailored wide legged trousers in a variety of colours

I'm amazed a vegan would be admiring an 'H' handbag as they are usually made of leather or skins of some kind!
three to four crocodiles are killed to produce skins ‘fit’ for high-end items such as Hermès handbags. These sentient animals are farmed in crowded, plastic-lined enclosures to protect their skin from damage before a brutal slaughter. Crocodiles experience pain and pleasure and in the wild will live for around 70 years but in captivity are killed at around two to three years of age.

I said I noticed the prevalence of designer bags and silk scarves , not that I was wearing them. I wore Comptoir de Cottonier jeans ( Uniqlo) , a white linen shirt( M and S), and a Roka canvas crossbody bag, for those that were asking.

I go to Sweden often and notice the propensity there in winter for black or grey: it seems to start from teenage years, the younger ones wear American style bright T shirts. Then in summer, white or beige! I get desperate to see some colour! There, I think it's down to the culture of not standing out from.the crowd.

Think Pink!