Tuxedo-ish: some things really are just black & white
A discussion of color (or lack thereof) with no grey area, rooted by the prototypical Tux
One year anniversary means keeping this post’s takeaways black & white!
It’s been a year since I started CRACD—can you believe it?! I certainly can’t. As I was looking back on old posts, it felt only right that I should mark one year of discussing all things clothing recommendations surrounding the same topic as the inaugural post for this newsletter: COLOR. Or, in this case, a lack of color.
It also just so happens that I’m cat-sitting my neighbor’s tuxedo kitty, Mushie, while she’s away. Mushie is quite possibly the cutest, best cat alive, and who said a person can’t find style inspiration from an adorable pet that isn’t hers?
My final justification for talkin’ tuxedo-palette dressing is due to an inkling that a resurgence is upon us in dressing black & white; or rather, all black with white accents. Like all style categories that pass through homogenization, the black & white outfits of the ‘10s (you know the ones of which I speak) that we retired for head-to-toe black, have reemerged as something new. And if black & white dressing in the form of polka dots or stripes isn’t your thing, might I suggest going back to basics with a visible white collar?
Tuxedo as inspiration
And thus leads me to a re-examination of black & white dressing with none other than the inimitable tux as the influential starting point. Tuxedos have a lengthy history, evolving first from the “smoking jacket” of yore. The 19th century saw the tuxedo jacket’s first iteration, worn by Prince (and later King) Edward VII, created by Savile Row tailors. It was in 1866 that the American interpretation became widespread for the Manhattan elite (who would vacation in Tuxedo Park, New York). And like any traditional form of dress, the tuxedo jacket (or entire look) has been referenced, reinvented, and reimagined in memorable ways. It’s hard not to connect any sharp black and white outfit— especially when a white collar and black jacket is involved—with the tuxedo.
One of my personal favorite tuxedo-vibe adaptations is Elsa Schiaparelli’s Trompe-l'œil sweater. She hand knit the famous design in 1927, with the playful look of a woven shirt, collar, jacket, and neck bow all knitted into the sweater. What a delightful stroke of genius!
Some style tips to avoid w/ a b&w look that can read corny:
Don’t “book end” your outfit with the same color, i.e. if your top is black, and your bottoms are white, don’t wear black shoes and vice versa. The same goes for black top/light wash jeans/black shoes imo
When mixing black & white, an easy rule of thumb is to pick only one clothing item or clothing element that’s contrasting
If you are wanting to add any color in addition to a black and white look, an accessory is an easy place to start (and red or mustard yellow never fails)
Misc. to-knows about black & white clothes, shoes & accessories
If you’ve ever experienced a tighter fit in your black garments or shoes versus other colors, you’re not going crazy. Black dye shrinks most textiles more than other dye colors, especially in the case of leather. I often even order up half a size in black shoes.
This one’s a little more niche: if you’ve noticed a difference in weight between ivory or white wool sweaters compared with other colors, you’re also not wrong. Ivory or other extremely light colors require bleach in the wool coloring process; thus thinning out the final yarns. FYI since cotton fiber’s natural state is white/ivory, this isn’t the case with cotton sweaters.
Black dyes (or other dark colors) used in leathers and suede rub off pretty much no matter what. So if you’re busting out your white jeans, skip the black suede handbag.
Dressing like Mushie the Tuxedo Cat (w/ Mushie featured)
‘Tis the season to be aware of natural cooling clothing properties. The most obvious point that still bears reminding: black clothing absorbs heat! White clothing allows for heat to pass through. You’d be surprised how many times people I know (who shall remain nameless) forget this principle. Look for cotton or cotton/linen (flax) blends for your black summer clothes to aid some in the passing of heat. It’s a sweaty experience when you forget your twill shorts are a poly/cotton blend.
A lack of color shopping links:
Maybe it’s my imagination that a solely black and white look reads as having tuxedo origins, but either way, dressing sans color does seem to provide an easily polished look. If you do endeavor down a black & white dressing path: may you, too, take the tuxedo as inspiration—especially if it means you get to match Mushie The Cat. xHannah
Can’t believe it’s been a year! I’m in love with the Schiaparelli sweater! If only I had one of my own.