It’s been a good run. Since 1982, women who are now 50+ have worn some variation of Morticia Addams-like head-to-toe black.
Once we discovered black made us look thinner, cooler and more sophisticated, there was no turning back.
This is still true: A daily “uniform” of basic black does save time and effort in putting together outfits.
So, we’re sticking with the plan — with an update. Here’s how to do what celebs do and dial up style in black 10 ways:
1. Wear a black pantsuit casually
This duo has come a long way from the stuffy, stiff cookie-cutter “success” suits of yore and is available low-cost everywhere from Amazon to H&M. Choose a progressive style with ankle-cropped pants (you may have to take up the hem an inch or two), a relaxed fit to the jacket and a seasonless stretch-blend fabric. Do like Meg Ryan and add a white T-shirt or button-down to brighten and sharpen the duo and black trainers for modern ease and edge.
2. Add black jeans to your rotation
Simply add the blazer, a white tee and strappy black sandals and, voilà, instant chic, just like Vogue Paris editor Emmanuelle Alt. Blue denim is great, but black denim pants look dressier and elegant worn with all those old black blazers hanging out in your closet. Cropped black jeans — straight and slim or flared — are the most versatile
3. Upgrade to black leather leggings
Faux stretch leather is your new substitute for plain cotton/spandex leggings. Use them as a base day or night, any time of year, like Vanessa Williams, who added a black boat tee, long black scarf, black sneakers and a draped poncho; Bo Derek, who donned a black shimmery jacket and knee-high black leather boots; or singer-songwriter Pat Benatar, who rocked black leather/jersey paneled leggings, a black blazer and black dotted blouse. It’s a fast way to polish up for travel, running errands or an evening out.
4. Buy fancier black tops
We have black T-shirts in crews and V-necks and sleeves of every length. Step it up with trendier necklines, decorative sleeves, wrapped or draped styles and feminine blouses. Try off-shoulder looks, ruffles, wraps, draped tops and blouses like Alfre Woodard’s notch collar, three-quarter-sleeve blouse untucked over a textured black skirt, or Queen Latifah’s pouf-sleeved version (and, yes, even over white pants, a black top looks hot!).
5. Make your next “Little Black Dress” anything but ordinary
Say “new me” with an LBD that’s got fashion chops and wear it that way. Diane Keaton layered her fit-and-flare sleeveless dress over a black turtleneck and added a bowler and combat booties, while chum Ann Philbin, director of the Hammer Museum in L.A., put a spin on classic in a black leather sheath, sheer black hose (yes, they’re baaaack) and black pumps. Angela Bassett wows in a low-cut spaghetti-strap number with eye-catching cutouts and peep-toe heels.
6. Wear black jewelry
Statement earrings in black — from dramatic drops like Sharon Stone’s to Oprah Winfrey’s mix of beefy black pearl stud on one ear and a white pearl on the other — are cool. Create a yin-yang DIY look by layering or twisting white pearls with black pearls or beads.
7. Spike black with bright shoes or booties
Colorful shoes punctuate an all-black outfit (and make you easy to spot in a crowd). Sarah Jessica Parker underscored her little black dress with bright pink pumps. Yes, she’s got her own shoe line to promote but we’ll have what she’s having. Susan Sarandon added shiny red booties to her black pantsuit. Copy that.
Photo by: Angela Weissi/AFP/Getty Images, Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
8. Choose black that sparkles
Any cardigan, coat or top that flashes sequins, glints of metallic threads or a jeweled neckline elevates an ordinary black outfit to an evening or “special occasion” look without making a big deal. In fact, mixing black pieces of different textures is the secret to making head-to-toe black fashionable. Meryl Streep chose a black sequin-studded coat to top off an all-black ensemble with knee-high suede boots, while Vanessa Williams glammed up black pants with a sequin-striped tank.
Photo by: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage, Araya Diaz/Getty Images
9. Make your next eyeglass frames black
Not that you’d miss Jane Fonda but her bold angular black glasses create a focal point and outline her gorgeous blue eyes. Barbra Streisand gets the same defining benefits but chooses lean black frames. It works for all.
Photo by: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images, Theo Wargo/WireImage, Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
10. Get a black leather biker jacket already
What are you waiting for? This black piece has become an official 50+ wardrobe staple. It adds edge to Mary Steenburgen’s shapely black jeans, pointy booties and silk blouse; sharpens Christie Brinkley’s businesslike pinstripes; and amps up Salma Hayek’s clingy turtleneck and maxi skirt.
Photo by: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images, Monica Schipper, Alo Ceballos/GC Images; Getty Images (3)