Black, totally black.

I know I recently published a post claiming to be wearing only black (see here), but I cheated by adding a splash of orange. So here we have the real thing. Black from top to toe. A lick of orange lippie is all I've added to lift this monochrome outfit. I usually find an all black look very boring, or draining at least, but today I decided to give it a whirl again.


As you'll see I'm still smiling, so it surely wasn't too painful after all. I will interject, though, that despite being a simple black outfit, the look is far from plain. My skirt is by Fahri, of Nicole Fahri and therefore never to be mistaken for run-of-the-mill. See the beautiful flower detail below and you'll get what I mean.



I bought this from eBay a couple of years ago, but when it arrived I wasn't convinced it was very me. And yet today it feels very me indeed. By pairing it up with this ruffled blouse I felt the two were pretty much a marriage made in heaven. The skirt is cotton lawn, so in principle is very fine and light, but the flowered appliques make the hemline have a lovely, weighty swish. The cotton poplin blouse was a gift from a friend and is such a great fit, very long and slim, with a zip up front and adorned with these uber feminine ruffles and frills. 




The gold coloured cuff is actually brass and is by Almost Perfect. The gold edged ring was from Boots recently and cost me the princely sum of £1. And the perspex ring was a gift.



Shoes are from New Look. I love the laser cut holes and the angled front gives a great easy roll when you walk. And my old faithful sunglasses are by Quay Australia.



Good ol' Polly has brought on a fit of the giggles again. 



OK, you've caught me out here. Yes, this smidgen of pink crept into the mix as I was looking for a necklace. It's a new purchase of mine from the Emily Nixon range of silver jewellery which is a mainstay of her range. The silver hearts come with a velvet ribbon - I've got a grey and a pink ribbon to swap around. I love the rough organic nature of the silver and had the hard decision between the large size, which this is, or a smaller, but equally cute one. 

So there you have it, my all in black finally achieved. I think for me black in the depths of winter is a real challenge as I'm so very pale skinned, but sporting a bit of a tan the colour is not so draining. I'm really pleased with this outfit and can see I'll be wearing it again over the forthcoming months. Maybe with a pair of colourful sandals next time and my bright orange necklace? We'll wait and see. Your feedback is welcome as ever and I'd be delighted to have your ideas for my monthly feature "As suggested by..." so do share your thoughts on that one too. Until next time, 'bye!

Linking with
Cherie of Style Nudge 

Anna x

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28 comments

  1. I have no other comment than : it looks perfect on you. I am all for colour but I also like monochrome and am a sucker for black with white. Your sunglasses and shoes add even more interest to the skirt and top.
    Greetje

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    1. I must admit Greetje, when I think all in black, it does equal boring in my book. But I gave this my best shot and am surprised how much I like it. Dressing it up with fancy sunglasses and detailed shoes was me fulfilling my desire for the complex rather than the plain - so glad you like it. Thanks for taking the time to visit x
      Anna

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  2. I'm with you Anna---I have a hard time wearing all black---it just seems so plain!!
    But I'm glad you snuck in a little pink---and the ruffles are fun!!
    jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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    1. Another soulmate who thinks like me, hurrah! I hardly thought the pink was worth mentioning, and the ruffles are totally fun aren't they? Lovely to hear from you again x
      Anna

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  3. I also have a really tough time with all-black outfits - they feel so...blah and weighty to me. That is a lovely skirt (great details) and I adore the ruffles on the blouse. Wonderful solid jewelry.

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    1. The prospect of this challenge was a bit daunting as blah is what comes to mind with me too. But, hey I think it worked out ok. Thanks for your support as ever Sheila x
      Anna

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  4. Love your shoes, so good the rest of the outfit! Xx

    www.thefashionfolks.com

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    1. And they are surprisingly comfortable too - easy to wear for the entire day. I appreciate your feedback x
      Anna

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  5. Normally I am not a big fan of all black but I like the details here of the added textures and jewellery.

    I'm impressed with your ability to walk in shoes so high.

    bisous
    Suzanne

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    1. I knew texture was the only way to jazz this look up enough for me to wear it with conviction. I'm really surprised how much I enjoyed wearing it and will be airing the whole outfit again. I do find wedges much easier to walk in than straight heels, and that rolling angle really helps too. Thanks for swinging by again Suzanne x
      Anna

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  6. Lovely ruffley, swishy, black outfit. Those heels are so high - I could never walk in them!

    I've learnt with wedges that I can't wear ones with a sling back and peep toe as they make my feet slide forward. I can wear wedges if they have a strap across the upper part of the foot and I'm on the lookout for a pair of t strap wedges, which will probably be perfect - I've just got to find a pair!

    xxx

    Veronica
    vronni60s.blogspot.com

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    1. It did indeed feel swishy and ruffley and surprisingly nice. I wish you good luck with the search for the veritable Holy Grail of wedges Veronica! Once you've found them, don't hesitate, they're so good for adding those few extra inches without the agony of heels. Thanks for your constant support x
      Anna

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  7. Oh no, it could never look boring, you look like a glamorous Flamenco dancer- the details of top and skirt are beautiful plus the gold cuff!x

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    1. There you have it Kezzie. My most dreaded word and favourite one in a single sentence - boring and glamorous. The details save me from one and promote me to the other perhaps. Maybe I am chanelling a bit of a Flamenco vibe here... Lovely to hear from you x
      Anna

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  8. Oh yes, I love this outfit. I can feel the luxury of the skirt with that swish and I love the zip detail of the blouse. All the extras make this special. When I picture you I see colour, but this is a fantastic mix-it-up outfit.

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    1. Thanks Melanie. A life without colour would be such a drab place wouldn't it? But every once in a while it's good to stretch one's comfort zone. I agree that the extras help to elevate this out of the ordinary little black number. Good of you to find the time to drop by x
      Anna

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  9. I really love all black outfits. I really do. But it's the little details like the ruffle and the flower and the cutouts that make this so much more than Sicilian widow. Tres chic, Cherie!

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    1. Dearest Connie, I'm delighted that you all understand my need to be more than just wearing black. My personality has to shine through otherwise I would feel truly blah as Sheila says. I'm so pleased you approve and also that you take the time to keep coming back x
      Anna

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  10. A change from your pops of colour. You still look fabulous. Love that heart necklace, I will be looking up the brand x

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    1. You know what they say Laurie, a change is as good as a rest. The Emily Nixon website is a wonderful dreamland of all the jewellery you could ever want.
      Anna x

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  11. I love the ruffles on the top and the texture of the skirt! I like you, need to have texture or something interesting when wearing all black. For me, it is my fair skin. I love the shoes too! Such temptation!
    have a wonderful weekend,
    jess xx
    www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

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    1. Black certainly needs some point of interest to stop it being a bit blah, and the texture and ruffles seemed to do the trick. Have a great weekend x
      Anna

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  12. All about the "texture"!!!
    Yhis is one of those outfits that slowly and wonderfully reveals itself. Kind of like people do when we take the time to SEE them. I think textural black is perhaps the "finest" black. Think of black velvet, black lace, black tafetta. black cashmere! Totally delicious.
    The only drawback is evil LINT!

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    1. Marilee, you're right, it takes time for all of the nouances of the outfit to appear, but when they do, it's great. The textures are so important, as you say in lace, velvet, tafetta etc. Lovely to hear from you again x
      Anna

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  13. All about the "texture"!!!
    Yhis is one of those outfits that slowly and wonderfully reveals itself. Kind of like people do when we take the time to SEE them. I think textural black is perhaps the "finest" black. Think of black velvet, black lace, black tafetta. black cashmere! Totally delicious.
    The only drawback is evil LINT!

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  14. The gorgeous details make this all-black look something special! You look wonderful and thanks for linking up, xo

    Patti
    http://notdeadyetstyle.com

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    1. Patti, you're right. It's all in the detail. Thanks for the great link up party again this week!
      Anna x

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  15. As someone who wore only all black until around 10 months ago, Anna, I'm all for dressing purely in ebony, all year long. And I'm quite adore that top of yours, with its zipper. Anything with metal just gets me.

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