# The tyranny of black **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2005, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410 "2005-03-20T10:52:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/41 "2005-03-21T14:38:47Z")
Pretty much everything I own is black. I feel uncomfortable wearing anything else. I do not find it depressing at all. I just do not like wearing other colours. Oh, and I guess there is that ‘goth’ thing, but hell, I have looked like this for more than 20 years now. Not. Changing. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/42 "2005-03-21T15:06:43Z")
I have enough black in my wardrobe that my co-workers always comment if I wear a different color. I also dye my brown hair black. It’s not the best color for me and it’s not the worst, but it does bring me some psychological comfort. I feel loved and protected by my dark lord! I mean, my black stuff. ---
**Author:** ![TroubleAgain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e480ec/32.png) [@TroubleAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroubleAgain)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/43 "2005-03-21T17:28:00Z")
I have lots of black. And lots of color. Sometimes I wear more of one, sometimes more of the other. ::shrug:: It doesn’t mean anything either way, except that’s what I felt like wearing that morning, or else that’s what was most appropriate to the day I was expecting to have. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/44 "2005-03-21T18:15:01Z")
Several posters in a row from HOT humid places. Florida. Alabama. Kentucky. WTF?! Black collects HEAT. It’s HOT to wear black. If I lived in these places, I’d wear as much white, seersucker, etc. as I could get away with. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/45 "2005-03-21T18:25:20Z")
Well, heck, I don’t go _outside_. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/46 "2005-03-21T19:33:07Z")
> [@August West](#): > > Are you saying you hate the [New Zealand All-Blacks](http://www.allblacks.com) and their uniforms? Certainly not. But I note their uniform is not all black. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/47 "2005-03-21T19:48:20Z")
> [@Beware of Doug](#): > > Several posters in a row from HOT humid places. Florida. Alabama. Kentucky. WTF?! Black collects HEAT. It’s HOT to wear black. If I lived in these places, I’d wear as much white, seersucker, etc. as I could get away with. Yeah, that sounds good in theory but light colored stuff always gets that awful sweat yellowing. I’ve never found a good way to get rid of it. I exercise in light grey tank tops (and black shorts, of course) and I always wind up just buying new ones every year 'cause they look so awful. Plus, as others have pointed out, most Southerners probably spend _less_ time outdoors when it’s hot than Yankees do so the color of your clothes isn’t a huge factor. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/48 "2005-03-21T20:21:59Z")
> [@Marsie](#): > > Wrong-o! I’m middle-aged, short and pudgy. I like to dress in black because it gives me a sleek line. I use lots of colorful accessories. Hmmm…I even have a black dog because it makes me look skinny when I walk him. 😛 Didn’t I say most people ? And if you have a good reason to wear all black other than being fashionable, then do it! I’m all for it. ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/49 "2005-03-21T20:23:18Z")
But black is better than lighter and brighter colors at hiding dirt and food stains! That’s why I wear black (or navy blue) so often. IANAP, but I imagine these are important considerations when dressing your 3-year-old as well. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/50 "2005-03-21T20:30:08Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > Black is sadness, sorrow, mourning. It’s the symbol of death. :eek: No, \*white \* is mourning. At least in Indian & Chinese cultures. I’d never dream of wearing black to a Chinese funeral or to an Indian wake. Seriously, why do you care what anyone wears? No skin off your back. ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/51 "2005-03-21T20:54:17Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Actually, I think that the “all black” fashion trend is on its way **out** at the moment. I hope you’re right, Kimstu. Now a question for all posters who wear black or who think black (I mean all black) is so becoming: How are you going to dress once the all black fashion is out ? Will you stick to all black and look fogey ? > [@Kimstu](#): > > Personally, I don’t mind basic black in everyday clothing, but Lordy was I getting tired of it as the universal choice for party dresses. When you’ve got more than half the female guests wearing black dresses even at a **daytime summer** wedding—bleah! I **do** prefer being able to tell just from a quick glance at the crowd whether I’m looking at a wedding or a funeral. a\*\* funeral \*\* says Kimstu. That’s why I’m so “morbid”, **betenoir** (no, not _black_beast ?) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/52 "2005-03-21T20:56:59Z")
I wear a lot of black beacuse as others have noted, black hides stains. As a mother to a toddler, that is a swell thing, lemme tell you! However, nothing is more garrish than the person wearing all black…of different shades. A shirt that is purpley black. Pants that are red black. Shoes that are a blue black. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/53 "2005-03-21T20:59:43Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > Now a question for all posters who wear black or who think black (I mean all black) is so becoming: How are you going to dress once the all black fashion is out ? Will you stick to all black and look fogey ? Yep. I’ve never been hip, groovy, cool, or with-it before…why start now? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/54 "2005-03-21T21:22:33Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > Now a question for all posters who wear black or who think black (I mean all black) is so becoming: How are you going to dress once the all black fashion is out ? Will you stick to all black and look fogey ? I haven’t cared if what I wear is in fashion or not since I was 16. I’m certainly not going to start now. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![lexi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lexi/32/6806_2.png) [@lexi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lexi)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/55 "2005-03-21T21:44:57Z")
I am another all black wearing person. My wardrobe has consisted of almost all black since 1989 and I doubt it will change any time soon. Here is another reason for all black, I buy classic styles of clothing, and regardless of the year, I never look out of date. The all black trend only makes it easier to find black clothing, and even in the days of pastels you can still find black clothing. People will wear a blue shirt and black pants, or a black shirt and a tan skirt in any era. I don’t think of it as looking like you are in mourning, black is the color of rebels and artists - which for black in itself is a style. Black is always in dahhhlings, it is colours that change with the seasons. Would you wear this colour BLUE now? ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/56 "2005-03-21T21:54:22Z")
> [@Bad News Baboon](#): > > […]nothing is more garrish than the person wearing all black…of different shades. > > A shirt that is purpley black. > Pants that are red black. > Shoes that are a blue black. Wise was the arbiter of taste said that the only color that _doesn’t_ go with black is “navy” blue. (Real US Navy blue actually IS black, or close enough it don’t make no nevermind. Putting anything black that’s not leather with that dark business blue shade is like playing a Bb and a B natural at once. :smack: ) ---
**Author:** ![Gymnopithys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/fbc32d/32.png) [@Gymnopithys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gymnopithys)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/57 "2005-03-22T08:53:56Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > Do you realize how ignorant you are being, judging a person by the colors they choose to surround themselves with? You need to educate yourself, THEN speak your mind. Here, I’ll help you to see things from a different perspective. I’m Pagan, I wear black becuase it’s a symbol of Spiritual power, a symbol of Protection, and a symbol of Knowledge/Learning. It’s not that different from other religious symbols for me. Thanks for trying to educate me by going at great length to provide me with those links (very interesting indeed). However I don’t think that giving my opinion on some people’s questionable taste has much to do with ignorance. By calling me ignorant you have also expressed an opinion, and for that I don’t believe you are an ignoramus. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2005, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410/58 "2005-03-22T15:04:49Z")
> [@Gymnopithys](#): > > Now a question for all posters who wear black or who think black (I mean all black) is so becoming: How are you going to dress once the all black fashion is out ? Will you stick to all black and look fogey ? I don’t think all black will ever be completely “out”. It won’t be cutting edge but it’ll still be an acceptable, “classic” choice. The fashion retailers don’t want one color to stay in fashion for too long because people won’t buy as many clothes. So it’s in their interest to make other clothes fashionable and drive sales. Same thing is happening with shoes. Pointy toes and stilettos ala “Sex in the City” have been in for several years now and, recently, new shoe sales have been flat. But, suddenly this season, _round_ toes are in and shoe sales are on an upswing… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-tyranny-of-black/295410.md?page=2)