Black essentials

It’s just one of those things, one of those goddamn things, that even if you spend a lot of time thinking about clothes and quite often buying new clothes there are many times when you will open your wardrobe and look and just go: fuck. I’ve got nothing to wear.

Particularly, I find, at night. At night when some sort of revelry and high times and fashionable joie de vivre is called for, the pressure can just be too much. One is overwhelmed by hesitation and choice and what-will-eveyrone-else-be-wearing? It happens to me all the time.

And at those times, and most times in fact, what I do is wear black. I know! Not new. But it works.

So I thought I would list here for you my most-worn and hardest working black things in my wardrobe, that have dug me out of many a panicked party hole so that maybe they will do the same for you.

The secret to wearing a lot of black at night is, of course, nail varnish and jewellery and snazzy shoes. Pay attention to your accessories and you’ll just be win, win, win, winning.

Yes, all of these suggestions are very expensive; no you don’t have to buy these exact ones but yes, for the amount you are going to wear these, you might as well get quality.

Plain black silk shirt

Bought from Hush just after Sam was born, this worn with black jeans, or tucked into something high-waisted or with the sleeves rolled up and tied at the waist with a big skirt is my best – and sometimes only – friend in my wardrobe. Small marks sustained during a night out are not immediately detectable. Hung up to air it gets a once-in-a-while dry clean.

Hush no longer make mine but if I was re-buying, I’d go to Equipment, who are famous for their excellent shirts, and this is an absolute corker from them. Size up for a loose, billowing fit. If you don’t buy either of these make sure you don’t get anything shiny as it’s a bit Vegas-Impersonator.

 

If you object to the pen pockets, I like very much the look of this one from Theory.

 

I have also had a lot of recommendations for this good-looking one from Boden

Black skinny jeans

I have always had a pair of black jeans knocking about but they have to change with various stages of fattery during/after pregnancy. My current pair are by Frame and I love them an awful lot. During the day, if you wear these with a chambray shirt or a crew neck white t-shirt and a pair of cool trainers, you will also be doing a Disney villain laugh of satisfaction in your head. HAGH HAGH HAAAAGGGGHHH.

Black camisole

A new attitude from France/LA; this Anine Bing number worn with a strapless bra (if possible) and some dark denim jeans and gold shoes and a black blazer and you are Pret A Go Go.

Black Killah heels

Bought for me for Christmas by Giles five years ago I treat these Jimmy Choos like the crown freaking jewels. They have shoe trees in them and live in their box; no-one is allowed to touch them except me – they are the only pair of expensive shoes I own and they have never let me down. They no longer make mine, which are covered in studs, but I really fancy this pair.

Black dress

I can’t count how many times I’ve reached for my black silk drop-waisted dress from Comptoir Des Cotonniers. And I’m always happy I wore it and never feel like I’m wearing an old thing. They had an updated version, but it seems to have vanished, which is infuriating – I am showing you this one from Other Stories

…as inspiration only, it’s not quite right. To be really right it needs to be washed silk and I can’t find one.

Black blazer

Never out of fashion, never a bad idea. Can wear with any dress or trouser or anything currently in your wardrobe. Amen to that. Another example here from Theory.

Those links again, for your convenience:

Silk shirt with pockets, from  Equipment

Silk shirt with no pockets, from Theory

Silk shirt from Boden

Jeans by  Frame

Camisole from  Anine Bing

The Jimmy Choos are here

Dress from Other Stories

Black blazer from Theory