Staying Fit
From wearing black for formal events to more casual looks and the in-between, we show you how it's done.
Mel Melcon/Contour by Getty Images, Owen Hoffmann/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images, Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
It's been a good run. Since 1982, women who are now 50+ have worn some variation of Morticia Addams-like head-to-toe black. Once we discovered black made us look thinner, cooler and more sophisticated, there was no turning back. This is still true: A daily "uniform" of basic black does save time and effort in putting together outfits. So, we're sticking with the plan — with an update. Here's how to do what celebs do and dial up style in black 10 ways:
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1. Wear a black pantsuit casually
This duo has come a long way from the stuffy, stiff cookie-cutter "success" suits of yore and is available low-cost everywhere from Amazon to H&M. Choose a progressive style with ankle-cropped pants (you may have to take up the hem an inch or two), a relaxed fit to the jacket and a seasonless stretch-blend fabric. Do like Meg Ryan and add a white T-shirt or button-down to brighten and sharpen the duo and black trainers for modern ease and edge.
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2. Add black jeans to your rotation
Simply add the blazer, a white tee and strappy black sandals and, voilà, instant chic, just like Vogue Paris editor Emmanuelle Alt. Blue denim is great, but black denim pants look dressier and elegant worn with all those old black blazers hanging out in your closet. Cropped black jeans — straight and slim or flared — are the most versatile.
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