Comments on: Reader mail: Feeling black and blue…

By: Hope

Hope — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:11:26 +0000

My daughter wears navy opaque tights to school. Last week I dressed very early and went to an out of office meeting, all in black with a black patterned coat.
Left the meeting, walked out into the sun with clients and my legs GLOWED blue. Secretary said it wasn’t noticeable. Convinced myself I looked like Audrey Hepburn, or at least french.
Went home.
First words from teenage daughter? “Why are you wearing blue tights??’!!!!!”That looks shocking”.
Can’t win.

By: kk@what2wearwhere.com

kk@what2wearwhere.com — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:19:53 +0000

So well and wittily said on the Black and Blue. It is good to know what the ‘fashion rules’ are and were so you can make informed decisions. I always thought suede was for winter until I saw all of those gorgeous, rich color shades last spring.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:40:30 +0000

Reading some of the comments, made me smile. All this time, I have been thinking that as a modern woman, the so called “rules” of dress no longer applied. But, apparently the rules do still exist and women still adhere to them to one degree or another. While I don’t adhere strictly to the rules ( I will and do wear navy with black and, intentionally) I never wear patent leather shoes anytime of the year except during spring and summer months, a rule instilled by my Mother and Grandmother.

By: SPS

SPS — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:33:03 +0000

I never heard it either until someone at work informed me otherwise (apparently, suede is the contrasting fall/winter option; plain leather is acceptable all year round). It’s one of the stupidest rules I have ever heard. Makes me question the logic of any and all of them.

I do find it amusing that all of this time I have been walking around in patent leather shoes past September, and at least someone out there thought I was committing a major faux-pas!

By: ct

ct — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:51:55 +0000

Never heard of that one! I always thought of patent leather as a winter texture – it seems like cold weather material and black patent leather in the summer just seems weird to me.

By: MRP

MRP — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:34:48 +0000

This discussion is quite timely. Just this morning I stood in front of my shoe rack, contemplating which pair of shoes to wear with my navy skirt suit. With trepidation, I selected a pair of black Coach patent leather pumps, and opted for nude pantyhose. However, I was a little concerned that I was violating some fashion rule. This post and these comments have validated my selection! Thank you!

By: SPS

SPS — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:31:13 +0000

Yes, but haven’t you heard the “rule” about not wearing patent leather after labor day!?

( Sorry, can’t help to make fun of these wholly outdated rules — wearing patent leather shoes right now, just think the whole thing with “rules” is stupid. Seems more like guidelines for the unitiated to me ;) )

By: LPC

LPC — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:21:40 +0000

I don’t think I’ve worn anything BUT black shoes with my navy pants. Oh wait, yes, I had a pair of oxblood Ferragamo pumps I would wear. They looked good. If you wear gray, don’t make it light gray. Looks too much like a flight attendant.

By: Mer

Mer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:13:27 +0000

I think black patent leather shoes look great with navy suits. Something about the shine of patent leather looks better against navy than black matte leather.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:10:03 +0000

I have a lovely summer jacket from Nordstrom in a fabric that is black, navy, and a touch of white. It’s great. I can wear with with black or navy on the bottom and it looks fabulous.