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Style & beauty

Wearing black in Spring, Summer, Autumn etc.

(154 Posts)
MartavTaurus Sun 22-Mar-26 08:00:52

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.

Allsorts Thu 26-Mar-26 08:14:33

Whats wrong with beige or black?. It’s how you wear it, does it suit yo? If there is one item of clothes that is universal its Jeans.

M0nica Thu 26-Mar-26 08:54:11

Allsorts

Whats wrong with beige or black?. It’s how you wear it, does it suit yo? If there is one item of clothes that is universal its Jeans.

Nothing wrong with them. they suit some people but not others wisdom is knowing what suits you. I cannot wear black, it kills me. Beige is actually a colour that suits me.

MartavTaurus Thu 26-Mar-26 08:57:44

Oreo

Think Pink!

I've definitely got a few pink pieces with me!

Scientically speaking, pink isn't a proper colour either! I think is an illusion created by our brains mixing red and purple light. So if people don't like my pink, they can look on me as a mirage, or a hallucination after a few drinks!

GrannyGravy13 Thu 26-Mar-26 09:05:14

Allsorts

Whats wrong with beige or black?. It’s how you wear it, does it suit yo? If there is one item of clothes that is universal its Jeans.

Definitely agree with regards to jeans, I have just culled my stash still have over 20 pairs (black, grey varying shades of blue, skinny, straight and wide leg)

Some folks can wear anything, any price and any colour, always look fabulously put together and very stylish (I have an eighty year old friend like this)

Others can spend an absolute fortune and look like something the cats dragged in as my Granny would say.

It is a matter of personal choice what anyone wears, and I try hard not to be judgemental of their choices.

I know what suits me and what colours drain me. I wear what I am comfortable in, with one eye on current trends

Witzend Thu 26-Mar-26 09:19:29

foxie48

I've got a couple of really lovely black tops but I wear them with a beautiful necklace or a gorgeous scarf. As long as something flattering is near my face, it looks good. The colour I really can't wear is beige.

Same. I usually dress them up with a long string of freshwater pearls, or an emerald and sapphire coloured silk scarf.

TheSunRisesInTheEast Thu 26-Mar-26 09:44:37

I think the key is to wear what you're happy and comfortable in. Sometimes I'm head to toe in black, sometimes multi colours, I don't even consider what everyone else is wearing.

I finish off my outfit with a coral lipstick and a smile 😀.

MartavTaurus, I hope you've packed your colourful Boden pieces. Enjoy your trip 🙂.

RosiesMawagain Thu 26-Mar-26 09:50:49

Sadly I do not think we necessarily shine as a nation when it comes to clothes.
Of course there are exceptions - present company for instance- but I am heartily sick of the black puffer jackets , skinny jeans , (or saggy baggy) baseball caps- often backwards), and big trainers I see most younger people wearing.
I can’t even say it’s just the British though, as in London on Tuesday I probably saw as many if not more tourists.

DaisyAnneReturns Thu 26-Mar-26 10:10:22

Poorly styled beige can look flat or uninspired. Well styled it can look extremely refined, intentional, smart, elegant,

But why is it anyone's business but the person who choses to wear it? Why the clothes police?

Casdon Thu 26-Mar-26 10:21:26

A lot depends on your own natural colouring I think. Nothing looks worse on me than pale pastels - lilac, yellow and pale pink make me look like a corpse, much more so than black does. I can understand why so many young people wear it, when you don’t have much money it goes with everything and can easily be dressed up.

I do think that on the whole Brits are not a stylish race, particularly as we get older, so many people seem to lose their way, and opt for invisible clothes - and my pet hate, hideous shoes. My biggest online time waster is searching for footwear that accommodates my wide feet, one with a bunion, that don’t make me feel as though I’m a race apart.

Allira Thu 26-Mar-26 10:30:20

DaisyAnneReturns

Poorly styled beige can look flat or uninspired. Well styled it can look extremely refined, intentional, smart, elegant,

But why is it anyone's business but the person who choses to wear it? Why the clothes police?

It's a discussion.
We are allowed to discuss anything within reason.

Why the thread police?

Allira Thu 26-Mar-26 10:33:36

Casdon

A lot depends on your own natural colouring I think. Nothing looks worse on me than pale pastels - lilac, yellow and pale pink make me look like a corpse, much more so than black does. I can understand why so many young people wear it, when you don’t have much money it goes with everything and can easily be dressed up.

I do think that on the whole Brits are not a stylish race, particularly as we get older, so many people seem to lose their way, and opt for invisible clothes - and my pet hate, hideous shoes. My biggest online time waster is searching for footwear that accommodates my wide feet, one with a bunion, that don’t make me feel as though I’m a race apart.

lilac, yellow and pale pink
I can't wear those colours either, they make me look washed out, even with blusher!

Have you tried Widerfit Shoes, Casdon? Some styles might not be to your taste but they do have a wide selection.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 26-Mar-26 10:45:32

Casdon I am late sixties, I refuse to wear any footwear designed for mature ladies

Fortunately I have tiny slim feet (size 3 sometimes 2) I was rather miserable when broken bones have restricted my shoe/boot choice on three occasions.

Norah Thu 26-Mar-26 13:01:58

Casdon A lot depends on your own natural colouring I think. Nothing looks worse on me than pale pastels - lilac, yellow and pale pink make me look like a corpse, much more so than black does. I can understand why so many young people wear it, when you don’t have much money it goes with everything and can easily be dressed up.

I agree. My pale colouring is far better suited to black, navy, white. I always look smart in black or navy, every other colour mixes with black, obscures dirt. We're out in the country, it's dirty here.

DaisyAnneReturns Thu 26-Mar-26 13:04:30

Just trying to understand why people aren't allowed to like or dislike things without being mocked for it Allira (26-Mar-26 10:33:36).

The problem doesn't seem to be differing tastes, it’s how those differences get expressed. I enjoy conversations that put forward respectful differences - they are interesting and we learn from them - but so many post are performative, exaggerated, and seeking conflict. From the OP onwards there have been posts that are not about personal preference (although there are people trying to have that conversation) they seem to be "staged" to get attention. I end up asking myself if posters would say this the same way if no one else could see it.

ViceVersa Thu 26-Mar-26 13:09:25

DaisyAnneReturns

Just trying to understand why people aren't allowed to like or dislike things without being mocked for it Allira (26-Mar-26 10:33:36).

The problem doesn't seem to be differing tastes, it’s how those differences get expressed. I enjoy conversations that put forward respectful differences - they are interesting and we learn from them - but so many post are performative, exaggerated, and seeking conflict. From the OP onwards there have been posts that are not about personal preference (although there are people trying to have that conversation) they seem to be "staged" to get attention. I end up asking myself if posters would say this the same way if no one else could see it.

Which posts do you think are 'performative'?

MartavTaurus Thu 26-Mar-26 13:39:31

Would it help if I moved the OP to:
Chat
Travel
Culture
Arts

There seems to be some difficulty having a discussion here on Style!

Allira Thu 26-Mar-26 14:22:57

MartavTaurus

Would it help if I moved the OP to:
Chat
Travel
Culture
Arts

There seems to be some difficulty having a discussion here on Style!

It belongs in Style!

As I mentioned earlier, though, I don't think it is just in European cities that black has become popular, it seems to be popular here too, or rather 50 shades of grey, mostly with younger people.

I do remember when I spent time in France as a teenager that a lot of much older women wore black all the time but assumed that was because they were widowed.

Black can be chic and I do have black trousers, a couple of black coats (not that I am or ever have been chic) but brighten them up with sweaters, scarves etc.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 26-Mar-26 14:32:48

MartavTaurus

Would it help if I moved the OP to:
Chat
Travel
Culture
Arts

There seems to be some difficulty having a discussion here on Style!

It’s definitely in the correct place 👍

Norah Thu 26-Mar-26 14:40:45

MartavTaurus

Would it help if I moved the OP to:
Chat
Travel
Culture
Arts

There seems to be some difficulty having a discussion here on Style!

Belongs in 'Style'.

Allira Thu 26-Mar-26 14:44:57

ViceVersa

DaisyAnneReturns

Just trying to understand why people aren't allowed to like or dislike things without being mocked for it Allira (26-Mar-26 10:33:36).

The problem doesn't seem to be differing tastes, it’s how those differences get expressed. I enjoy conversations that put forward respectful differences - they are interesting and we learn from them - but so many post are performative, exaggerated, and seeking conflict. From the OP onwards there have been posts that are not about personal preference (although there are people trying to have that conversation) they seem to be "staged" to get attention. I end up asking myself if posters would say this the same way if no one else could see it.

Which posts do you think are 'performative'?

And where did I mock anyone, DaisyAnneReturns? confused

I agreed with Casdon that some pale colours make us both look washed out.

Strangely, Casdon, I seem to be able to wear light blues and light turquoise (well I think they look ok!).

Allira Thu 26-Mar-26 14:49:16

but so many post are performative, exaggerated, and seeking conflict.
That's rather ironic! 😁

All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts

Women too.

DaisyAnneReturns Thu 26-Mar-26 17:03:24

"And where did I mock anyone, DaisyAnneReturns?" Thu 26-Mar-26 14:44:57

Where did I say that you, personally, did Allira

Oreo Thu 26-Mar-26 19:06:38

Yellow is a difficult colour to wear when older, but I loved a yellow dress I used to wear when around 17/18 and called it my
‘Pulling dress’ 😄
I suit orange, peach, coral and any green or blue,and all go well with navy which is kinder to older skin than black.

Casdon Thu 26-Mar-26 20:14:40

I’ve got some New Balance trainers from Wider Fit Shoes Allira, I think they are the only company that sells them in the UK, and they are very comfortable, as well as looking like ‘normal’ trainers!
I agree regarding pale blue and turquoise, they look better on me than the other pastel colours too - mauve and lilac is the worst.

Norah Thu 26-Mar-26 21:08:44

I believe some Mephisto trainers are wider. Wear well.