Does black make this model look tired? Photo: Getty Images
Shrouding yourself in darkness can shave inches off your derrier and thighs by making shadows less obvious, but color expert Jules Standish argued in today's Daily Mail that the dark color brings out the worst in your visage.
She says black can be aging, especially with pieces that hug close to the face such as noir hats, scarves and turtlenecks.
"Black gives the illusion of slimming down the wearer, and designers will have us believe that it's the color of the season and you must not be seen in anything else. But it can also bring out dark circles under the eyes and lines. The effect can be as serious as making women feel drained, self-conscious and introverted."
A Gotham girl may need some more convincing, though. Pronouncing she can't wear black is like saying there are no sales in January.
The solution? Standish suggests wearing a pop of color around the face, like a scarf or a headband.
There are, of course, the select lucky few: Standish claims that about one in five women with the correct skin tone -- those with pale, cool features with contrasting coloring -- can pull off the doomsday look. So more Nigella Lawson than Peaches Geldof, the color expert points out.
Standish has her work cut out for her, as fashion scenesters love wearing black so much, they even wear it on vacation!