Black & Gold, Always in Style

Black asserts itself this season as once again a basic in every woman’s wardrobe, starting with the LBD, the “little black dress.” InStyle magazine’s fall makeover issue features 25 examples of the LBD. And in highlighting the LBD as one of the key trends they “saw coming down the runway,” New York magazine brings home this point with a marvelous two-page assemblage of almost 100 runway images of short black dresses being offered from designers from Altuzarra to Zac Posen.



Illustration: The first of two pages of LBDs from the August 23, 2010 “Fall Fashion Issue” of New York magazine.


Although the images in New York are too small to give more than a glimpse of the occasional cuff or necklace to set off a dress, other eye-catching fashion stylings readily remind us all how beautifully gold adds warmth and richness to basic black.  



For instance, from the September 2010 issue of Marie Claire, the effect of gold worn with black is evident in this ensemble on actress Mary-Kate Olsen consisting of a jacket lavishly spangled with golden medals and hoops by Dolce & Gabbana and ruffled black dress by Giambattista Valli accessorized with a studded bracelet by Balmain, a wrap bracelet from Dries Van Noten, and multiple gold-plated rings from Matina Amanita and Kara by Kara Ross.



In the same issue, an exotic ensemble by Jean Paul Gaultier is accessorized with a pair of gold-plated Hermes bracelets and Hermes watch and a goldtone necklace from Giuseppe Zanotti Design.


While the Marie Claire stylings shown above utilize designer fashion jewelry to make a statement, real gold jewelry is added to the mix to accent many of the fashion stylings for fall.  Gold accents the ladylike looks so important this fall in a feature in the September 2010 issue of Harper’s Bazaar  that includes this classically chic ensemble:



Illustration: Accompanying a shrug by J. Mendel, jacket by Dolce & Gabbana, and pants from Gap are a gold watch by Van Cleef & Arpels and gold ring from Piaget along with a gold-plated bracelet from Vionnet and necklace by Reed Krakoff.  



In Elle magazine’s feature on “spirited sportswear,” a blouse, skirt and cape ensemble by Yves Saint Laurent is accented with a dome pendant necklace by Paloma Picasso for Tiffany & Co. and a vintage Jean Mahie gold ball necklace and gold ring from Beladora.



Representing edgier stylings, InStyle Makeover applauds the evolution of Jessica Alba from “ethereal gowns and goddess waves” to “this year’s coolest cut—a tousled bob—and an ultra-sexy leather minidress” accompanied by “fierce shoes” and stacked golden bangles (uncredited).



InStyle magazine showcases jewelry that is itself a combination of black and gold, noting in the August 2010 issue that such rich accents “easily take you from day to evening” and “complement hues from the softest pastels to the loudest brights.”  The feature on “jewelry deals” under $200 showcases a mix of gold-plated, vermeil, resin and brass designs.


No matter which of the dozens of styles one finds most appealing and flattering, and whether one’s style is ladylike, exotic, sporty, edgy, or something quite different and entirely unique, there is all manner of gold and golden jewelry to add warmth and richness to a look. When it comes to the combination black and gold, the one-word comment proffered to accompany the images of LBDs in New York magazine says it all:  “Always.”


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