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Logan's Style Watch
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BLACK AND WHITE AND RED ALL OVER
by Logan Bentley Lessona
ROME, February 19, 2001 --Kids used to love to ask each other: "What's black and white and red all over?" The answer, of course, a newspaper. You know, read, not red. I was thinking about this the other day when I wanted to write about that fail-safe, eternally chic fashion savior, wearing black and white.
Actually, the thought of writing this piece has been on the back burner of my mind for months, so long that both Vogue and Womens Wear Daily and the New York Times Sunday Magazine came out with articles in the meantime. But while they stressed the eternal chic-ness of black and white, I'd just like to remind women of all ages and sizes how very practical and useful it can also be.
We don't all have four or five figures to spend on our wardrobes every year, and many of us have to make do with what's already in our closets, recycling what we may have bought years ago, and trying to look nice and feel we are dressed appropriately for the occasion. Here's where black and white comes in handy.
Fashion editors may be constantly be pushing color and prints and other stuff on the pages of their magazines, but when you go to a fashion show, guess what the stars of the fashion press sitting in the front row are wearing? Black, black, black, and usually their eyes are also covered by large black sunglasses. Agreed, the bright lights shining on the runway can be blinding when you're in the first or second rows, but the shades are also handy for taking a brief nap, or hiding the tired red eyes and/or dark circles under them.
As for those black suits, dresses, and slacks? Uh, well, they all want to look skinny and nothing makes you look thinner than black. Black also helps in hiding dirt and wrinkles, if you want the honest-to-gosh truth. Not ALL the editors are assigned a limousine to haul them around like Vogue's Anna Wintour, so black can be a lot more practical.
Now, our ladies don't all want to look like a bunch of widows from Sicily, so what do many of them do? Accent with white, especially around the face. This all sounds terribly obvious, but when it comes to travelling, and especially business travel, this color scheme can be a lifesaver. As well as cut down on the weight of your bags.
Just think, a black silk suit, especially if you can find one with matching skirt and pants, worn with white sweaters or blouses, black or white cashmere vests, tunics, and/or cardigans, and polished black shoes (with spike heels if you're brave!) can take you anywhere. Gold or pearl jewelry looks great. Need to look sporty? Wear the pants with a black and white striped sweater or T-shirt and a pair of classic white leather Keds sneakers.
A black and white printed silk pareo can be worn with a black bathing suit at the pool or beach, and with the black suit for a strong fashion statement. Women have been known to wear a black bathing suit with a pretty draped top with their black silk slacks for a striking evening look, their "pareo" draped around their shoulders. For the bold, the black jacket if cut to just below the bottom would look great with a white mini skirt and white T-shirt for shopping around town.
The black jacket worn over a feminine "dressmaker" white blouse with cuffs sticking out from the sleeves with the skirt or slacks looks terrific for lunch or dinner in a fancy restaurant, with accessories like shoes and handbag chosen for the occasion and climate. If your budget won't stretch for new items like these then please comb the charity thrift shops. Basic clothes like these should be well-cut and well fitting, and you're more likely to find what you can afford there.
If you're credit cards aren't burping, here's a list of a few things the designers showed for the coming season:
1. Black and white optical prints in dresses and pants suits: Gianfranco Ferre, Castelbajac, Antonio Berardi, Dolce & Gabbana, John Richmond, Gattinoni, Giorgio Armani, and Iceberg are just a few.
2. Black dresses, from mini to ankle-length, jump-suits, see-through lace, dressmaker suits (that's a more feminine cut, sometimes with a peplum, or a ruffle here or there), and pants suits: Prada, Trussardi, Genny, Hugo Boss, Chanel, Anna Molinari, Versace, Strenesse, and Krizia.
3. A black top with a white bottom, or vice versa: Chanel, Hermes, Balenciaga, Sportmax, Giorgio Armani, Lawrence Steele, Jill Sander, Fendi, Gucci, and Ralph Lauren.
4. Black and white stripes, usually horizontal, sometimes diagonal, on knitted tops, slacks, skirts, shorts, dresses, and Bermudas: Etro, Cacharel, Ter et Bantine, Ralph Lauren, Iceberg, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Fusco, Prada, and Paul Smith.
If you really want a chic but practical look for that important business meeting, substitute a red plastic camellia a' la Chanel or a large red fabric flower on the lapel for your jewelry.
So, when in doubt, think black and white and red all over, and please smile!
© 2001 Logan Bentley Lessona
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