Le denier cri

There are some clothing items out there that should never be put together in an outfit. Jeans and a denim jacket, tights and open-toed shoes and spots with stripes are all examples of items that should never be worn at the same time. One combination, though, I think is worth re-examining. \nAfter spending my summer in Paris, the high fashion capital of the world, I learned that it is, in fact, okay to pair black with brown. When you are constantly surrounded by the most chic women (and men, for that matter) in the world – on the Metro, in the park and in the grocery store – you learn that certain fashion combinations that are widely rejected in the States are actually acceptable when they are done appropriately. And perhaps the best example of this that I retained from my summer study abroad is the pairing of black and brown.\nOne point that is essential to stress on this subject is that an outfit should have dominance of either black or brown, not half and half. When I think of mixing black and brown, I think of a mostly black outfit, accented with brown, probably in a heavier, chunkier boot or hobo handbag. Both colors are dominant, and should not be worn in large quantities together.\nThere are also many shades of brown that are flattering and easy to pair with black. Camel, for example, looks sophisticated when mixed with black. A lighter, more orange brown also looks good with black. As a general rule, I would say the lighter the brown, the easier it is to pull off with black. Chocolate brown and black is not a color combination for the light of heart or conservative dresser. It’s not a look you will see on the pages of the holiday J. Crew catalog. \nNow, just because I have given you permission to wear black and brown together does not mean that I will approve just any old color with black. One color that should never even be seen in the same vicinity as black is navy blue. If one color is so close to another color that they are often mistaken for one another, they should probably never be worn in the same outfit. One may argue that black shoes look great with dark jeans, but as both navy blue and black are dark colors, they should not be mixed. White and navy blue would be a fresh and modern combination.\nThere are many combinations of garments that simply do not go together. Black and brown, though, is one of those combinations that can actually work when paired together. Just be mindful of the proportion of your outfit and distribution of the two colors within the outfit. Don’t get too crazy with either color; this is a look that requires precise execution and thought when putting together the outfit. Don’t make this look too serious, and, as always, be sure to put a little of yourself into your ensemble. Without those personal touches, you will never feel fully dressed.