Back to Black: How to look your best in black?

If there’s one constant thing amid fashion’s ephemerality, it would be its devotion to the colour black. The fascination for the shade is never-ending and unlike anything else, in part because the shade is bewitching, flattering and as some may put it, poetic.

Notoriously versatile and never out of style, one can look Wednesday Addams-intriguing, Audrey Hepburn-elegant, or Karl Lagerfeld-cool, you name it. Like Paris, Singapore is surprisingly another city whose love for black is unparalleled, despite its tropical heat and humidity.

While it’s true the it-colour is easy to pull off, there is still room for a faux pas. Here are some pointers on how to go from drab to fab in black:

1. Pay attention to the cut and fit

Black is slimming, but if the cutting doesn’t fit you, it won’t live up to its reputation to flatter. Emma Watson looked dashing in a Saint Laurent suit because well, she’s Emma Watson, but also because the skinny-fit cigarette pants and cinched blazer were fitted to her svelte figure.

Also since black is a muted colour, don’t be afraid to stand out with asymmetric cuts and showy detailing — think plunging neckline, high slits or ruffles.

2. Accessorise

Similar to a blank canvas, black gives its wearer a chance to accessorise in extravagance. When dressing up in black, consider decorating your outfit with a statement choker, a scarf with a wild design, or an unmissable wide-brimmed hat. Another way to spice things up is by carrying a brightly coloured designer handbag or slipping into playful shoes.

3. Play with texture, material and layering

Black is available in every imaginable fabric: suede, leather, wool, cotton, silk, etc. and that is exactly why you shouldn’t settle with just one. Glam up your black pullover with leather pants, or a sequinned skirt. Layer your outfit to add depth, be it with more black or other colours.

4. Be careful with head-to-toe black

There are mixed feelings about dressing up in head-to-toe black. Coco Chanel popularized the little black dress, yet Anna Wintour despises it. Yes, you can look like Audrey Hepburn, but you can also look washed out, and worse, like a bouncer at a nightclub or a widow in mourning. Don’t afraid to show some skin — especially since Singapore is scorching hot — and follow the other tips included here, but with consideration to the event you’re attending.

5. Add a dash of colour or tone with monochromatic hues

When not wearing head-to-toe black, it’s smart to style the shade with other colours. You can achieve a fashion-forward look that centres on the colour black without looking boring by pairing it with heather grey, gauntlet grey, deep navy blue, or of course, plain old white.

Flip through our gallery for some streetstyle inspirations from fashion weeks around the world, celebrity paparazzi snapshots, as well as fresh-off-the-runway looks. With these images and tips in mind, you can dress up in black without the fear of looking too severely gothic or boring.

Natasha Gan