The Magic of Black

Like a lot of women, I adore wearing black.  It doesn’t always photograph well for the blog, so on here I usually wear it with lots of  colour.  Black is my security blanket.  On the days I want to retreat behind a cloud of ink like an octopus, black lets me do just that.  And, in an urban environment like New York or London, it always looks perfectly appropriate and discreet.  Yohji Yamamoto summed it up nicely- “Black is modest and arrogant at the same time.  Black is lazy and easy – but mysterious. But above all black says this: I don’t bother you – don’t bother me.”  In a crowded city like mine, that is often a positive thing!

Last year I bought some loungewear from Winser London, a black loose roll neck sweater and matching tracksuit trousers in a merino, silk, and cashmere blend.  I lived in them, and not in that American hyperbolic way, I literally lived in them. I slept in them, I walked the dogs in them, I did the school run in them, and I wore the sweater with jeans on repeat.  I wore them three days in a row sometimes.  I vowed to find a fancier (non-loungewear) version of that roll neck sweater this year… I called it my ‘Steve Jobs Sweater Quest’ since he was rarely seen outside of a black turtleneck!  I wanted it to be not too thick, not too thin, not too loose, not too tight,  neither too long, nor too short.  It had go smart with a skirt or casual with jeans and sneakers.  OF COURSE it had to be soft, cosseting, delicious, cashmere.

When favourite brand Winser London asked me and my friends from the Over 40 Collective to choose something from their current Autumn/Winter collection, I went STRAIGHT for this sweater.  My Steve Jobs Sweater Quest was over the second I tried it on!  It is as soft as a cloud with deep, luxurious turn-back cuffs, and the perfect width roll neck.  I only had to wait a few weeks for cooler weather to arrive so I could actually wear it.  Next, I had to decide what to wear with it for this post (a pleated leopard skirt? jeans and ankle boots? a black sequin skirt?).  I decided to take inspiration from one of my favourite fashion movies, Audrey Hepburn’s ‘Funny Face’.  I adore the too-cool-for-school, beatnik-chic, black sweater paired with retro cigarette trousers.  It doesn’t get more simple than this.  You notice Audrey, not the clothes.

image via rareaudreyhepburn.com

Winser London black roll neck cashmere jumper and capri trousers

I love the pin-tuck seam detail on the front and back of the trousers.

Crystal embellished shoes from Lotus

Sparkly bracelet from Lizzie O, water droplets on my jumper courtesy of Mother Nature

On this misty chilly day, I needed either an umbrella or a coat; thankfully I had both in the car.  I hadn’t planned to use either, but every single weather app was wrong the day we took photos!

Versace wool coat, many years old.

“I’ve been 40 years discovering that the queen of all colours was black.” – Pierre-Auguste Renoir

I love this last photo; it really captures my feeling of wearing black… gliding effortlessly and inconspicuously through London’s beautiful urban landscape, camouflaged by the queen of colours.

Have a look at what my other blogging friends from The Over 40 Collective chose from Winser London, and how they styled it.   I’ll add links to their posts as soon as they are published.

A big heartfelt thank you to the entire team from Winser London who, aside from the gorgeous clothes, are without a doubt the sharpest and kindest team in retail to work with.  Thank you ladies!

Michelle of RetroChicMama looking sharp and chic in blush silk and navy

Liz of What Lizzy Loves is evening-ready in a gorgeous blue georgette-sleeved cocktail dress

Annette of Lady of Style nails casual luxe in a navy merino wool knit coat

Nikki of Midlife Chic exudes modern elegance in her burgundy wrap coat

Catherine of Not Dressed As Lamb is pretty in pink with a retro twist

Michelle of The Barefaced Chic layers up to stay chic and warm in the country

Linking to: notdressedaslamb, stylenudge, elegantlydressedandstylish, fashionshouldbefun, notdeadyetstyle, honestmum