Brightening up


Black is my go-to. Wearing “dress-up” clothes to work eight hours a day, five days a week, my biggest priorities are looking professional while feeling comfortable. In those early post-college days, I had a handful of dress tops, one pair of (black) slacks and two pairs of heels. When I earned my first paycheck, I started flipping that dough into other pieces . . . and other pieces . . . and still more pieces. Building a wardrobe.

Needless to say, I have a little more clothing now. And, um, a few more pairs of shoes.

But one thing has remained constant: all that black. On any given day, I’m wearing at least one — if not two — black articles of clothing. Black boots, black heels, black flats. Black pants or a black cami under a black sweater. Black earrings with a black belt. Black.

I’m not sure where my late-blooming obsession with dark hues came from, but it’s sort of my signature now. Black and red are incorporated into almost every outfit, and I’m mostly okay with it. Lately I’ve been waking up early only to stand in front of my closet with the familiar, baffled look of a woman who squeaks about having “nothing to wear,” though. I’m just so sick of everything I own.

I went shopping on my lunch break Wednesday, tearing through a local department store until my arms ached under the weight of dresses, shirts and capri-length pants. In 30 minutes, I’d racked up a hefty bill (but had a 30 percent off coupon so, you know. Less guilt). Where once I’d have wandered around the mall with friends and my sister for hours, I rarely get out anymore — so it’s easier to justify my shopping sprees by remembering I don’t piece-meal purchase things throughout the week.

My goal for the outing was clear: buy cute, casual clothes I can wear on upcoming trips to New York City and California, and no black. When I do shop, it’s usually for work-appropriate garb . . . which makes sense, of course. I spend most of my time in work-appropriate garb. But that means I wind up reaching for the same two shirts on Saturdays and Sundays. And even those have black.

Like a frizzy-haired tornado, I wound up with three short-sleeved cardigans (gray, white, fuschia); a knee-length floral dress to wear to “The Newsies” in New York next weekend (ye-ah!); two brightly-colored tops; khaki and blue cotton crop pants; and a pair of fuschia-jeweled earrings. Basically? Everything I would never wear in my “normal” life.

So, for the first time in a year or so (or more?), I recently went to work in a floral, pastel-colored top, brown capris, brown heels and a bright pink pin — as evidenced above. Not a stitch of black to be found.

And I have to say: it felt good. My initial awkwardness over the no-black rule faded by lunchtime, especially as coworkers complimented my ensemble. As we’re thick in the middle of the warm weather months, I’m going to make it a personal goal to have a no-black-clothes day weekly. And if I’m feeling crazy brave? Maybe twice a week.

I’m sure the Angel of Darkness will be glad I’m out of his closet.


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Is your wardrobe dominated by any particular color? Are you as into black as I am? What’s your favorite color to wear?

Maybe no one will notice?

black_and_brownIn my post-election-results stupor of excitement and emotional drainage last night, I had to force myself to get my stuff — and clothes — ready for work this morning. I figured I would feel even worse at 7 a.m. than I did at 1:30 a.m. and dug around in my closet for a while to find something suitable for work today. I thought I had grabbed a white sweater, dark brown pants and my brown boots, carefully laying them out for this morning.

What I realized at lunch, with a growing sense of horror, was that my “brown” pants were actually black — very black — and I am now traipsing around the office, Panera and Southern Maryland wearing brown boots, black pants, a black purse and a white sweater. That’s a fashion faux pas if ever I’ve heard of one.

Even my boyfriend recognized my obvious gaff — as I stopped dead in my tracks walking across the street.

“Are these pants black?” I asked Palmer in horror.

He squinted at my legs. “Yes. And your shoes are brown.”

Oh, the shame!

See, if only I had this purse I’ve been lusting after for months, I could have made this whole debacle work!

I blame Obama — I haven’t been able to think (or see!) straight since the results poured in last night.