If I could go back in time to when I first started buying more expensive wardrobe pieces, I’d tell myself to make sure that I had all my black accessories picked out and paid for before buying anything else. How many times did I go out shopping for that “one great black bag,” only to be distracted by something else (like a sequined dress or my white Bottega Veneta bag, now totally dirty)?
After I found my Bolide, I finally felt like I had completed my “must have” black accessories – bag, shoes, and jewelry. And honestly, black is forever. It lasts ages, doesn’t go dingy like lighter colors do, doesn’t show scuffs as much, and goes with almost everything. Even my black Van Cleef necklace is hardier than my white version – onyx being just that much less delicate than white mother of pearl.
My other favorite thing about having a set of black accessories? It’s super easy just to throw them on together with an outfit and its very easy and looks put together (at least I hope). My favorite lately has been all black with a white dress or white top/skirt. I’ve been wearing a version of the outfit below almost every week.
ASOS dress (similar)
Hermes bag (similar)
Van Cleef and Arpels necklace (similar)
Louboutin heels
Here are some my picks for classic black shoes and bags, in $, $$, and $$$ choices from left to right.
Left to right: BCBG, DVF, Manolo Blahnik
Left to right: Longchamp, Coach, Bottega Veneta
What are some of our go to, all time accessories? Are you a fiend for black like I am?
If it’s the one VCA Alhambra necklace I’d buy, it would have to be the onyx. I had the identical Bolide 31cm in black which I sold only because I am a pack rat. Such a beautiful bag. I used to be in black head to toe. I felt like a ninja when I’m walking home at night in winter because people used to bump into me. It didn’t help that I have black hair too!
Ha, me too CCC! Now I rarely wear black.
Katherine, this is such a simple beautiful look, I I love this.
Oh TOTALLY – once I got mistaken for a Sephora worker years ago because I was in all black. LOL.
Which is why we all need to look beyond black IMO, although it certainly has it’s place as Katherine rightly point’s out. Yes, it’s easy, yes it’s always correct and when in doubt, wear black. no (or very darkest blue for Mr Feather)? But notice she pares it with white, truly the color of our time (thank you Mr Jonny Ive, of Apple). Particularly, for someone of color, or merely just a nice tan, white is so wonderful (and even bright white works for us pasty guy’s). Really it works for everyone, and it’s so bold, so brave, just so Modern. Trust me, If you want to make a splash, show up in white, with just the right black accessory….
Katherine,
I know exactly what you mean. After I lost almost 40lbs this year, I vowed to get all of my black pieces for my wardrobe. I work at Ann Taylor part-time and I have been on the hunt for the perfect black skirts. I found them the other day. I found a 100% wool one that I absolutely love. The Bottega Veneta is the perfect classic black bag. I have that one in the Maxi. I also invested in a Black Epi LV Madeline bag as my professional bag. Good choices.
I actually opted for the “black details to tie it all together” look today. I had some separates that I insisted would work together, and I made my black belt and ballet flats work as the glue. Not surprisingly, it totally worked. Black accessories really are timeless. I literally scoured the country until I got my hands on the black Kate Spade satchel I wanted, and my very first “expensive” purse purchase (Coach, a.k.a. the gateway brand) was a signature bag in black. They still look fabulous, and I always go back to them. Black and white looks great, too. So chic!
Totally agree with you Katherine! Love your necklace. Your black accessories would go with my black look posted today! Great minds!!!!
Have a fab weekend Hun xoxo
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Hi! To be honest, Black bag is on my list now to have. I just noticed that I needed a neutral bag for some reason. Before it’s not on my priority list to have one most especially in my younger years. I easily get distracted for my love of bright colors, so purchasing a black one is always left behind. But this time around I want to have one as good as it could be that I could say it’s worth on purchasing and could be the best accessories I have, so I need to save for it.
On the contrary when I saw you first post your Bolide, my appreciation for black bag hunts me more. Though I can’t able to buy that kind atleast I will able to find some that would be worth the wait. Love wearing white, it’s something that never goes out of style, and always feeling fresh and dainty. Sorry for the long comment.. Have a great weekend!
This couldn’t come at a better time! I’m having a really hard deciding between a charcoal Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC with silver hardware or a black one with gold hardware. What do you think Katherine? I’d love your opinion! You’re going to say black right?
Do you have a good black bag already? If so then I might do charcoal but otherwise..yes you know my answer! Do you wear largely cooler tones or warmer tones in your wardrobe?
I do have one black bag…my Chanel jumbo flap
I think I’m going to go for the charcoal. I’ve received a lot of feedback on my blog about which to choose. It was pretty split at first, but now I think there are more votes for the grey. I figure that I can always get the black down the road because it’s always in stock! The charcoal is a bit harder to find. I wear both tones a lot in my wardrobe. I wear a lot of gold jewelry, but I don’t mind mixing metals. Thank you for the advice Katherine!
A great gray bag is hard to come by – hooray on your choice, and already having a black Chanel jumbo flap means you’ll have so much more diversity in your wardrobe! I still wish I had gotten a black Jumbo when the prices were lower, they are astronomical now!
Oddly enough, I’ve moved away from black in accessories over the years. I used to wear black shoes all.the.time, but now it’s pretty much limited to belts. I make a lot of use of my red and eggplant bags; one or the other seems to go with nearly everything I own.
There was a time when all my bags were black, shoes were lack and most of my dresses and tops were black too! It is so easy to just grab a black bag and go without thinking if its going well with the outfit or not! I love love love your bag collection!
I have never been into black accessories since I am a big colour lover but just recently I realised that I may need an essential black bag to start with my black accessories collection lol (let’s start with handbag, it’s easier, right? lol) I do not even own a pair of black shoes…(I am odd I know)!
Ever since I started working, I found myself buying majority of my clothes that would be work appropriate — black. I’ve been trying to get myself to buy more colors, but it’s a lot tougher for me than I had thought. Black is just so versatile. I use my all black Longchamp to work everyday, regardless if there’s sun or rain. It’s so easy to use and makes life a little easier without having to worry about being matchy matchy.
You look fabulous my dear!!!the dress, the GREAT bag,the Asos dress look like a 1.000 dollars!!!
I have a black Longchamp Le Pliage but I haven’t seen the ones with black handles before, I really like it!
Yes I have the same Le Pliage as you – the one with black handles is a little more sturdy all around (but doesn’t fold up as easily).
Very elegant look! Love it! Both the white dress and the black accessories are amazing!
what an amazing dress
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Your choice of the black heels is great! I was looking for a new pair for an interview and they’re perfect! Love your posts, they’re always so helpfull! If you are ever looking for ideas for posts, I would love to hear your tips on getting different types of boots or how to care for leather shoes (some of mine have colors that wear off?) Have a great weekend:)!
Hi Jess! Sure I’ll try to do this, though I’m def. not an expert
Thanks for the suggestion!
I just don’t like black. I just bought my first black pencil skirt, and I’m knocking on 40. I also have one pair of black trousers. I think that I own 1 black handbag. I’m just more of a brown/tan person when it comes to neutrals because I wear vibrant colors year round. For me, the browns soften up the color.
I was going to mention brown – yes I think for many brown/tan is a great staple to have vs. black – do you wear more warm colors ?
every time i see that necklace, i so want to steal it!
Love the picture of the bag and necklace together. A lovely pairing. And I like how you chose to accessorise your white dress with them whereas I would have gone for a more nude palate.
It turns out that three of my favourite bags are actually black ones which quite surprised me. I don’t carry them often but I do like them a lot.
I don’t own any satisfactory black accessories. My two black pumps are not the classic pointy toe variety, I don’t own a black bag, and the LBD? Forget it because the one I do own is not as versatile as I’d like it to be. I was actually dead set on buying the black Celine but once the SA pulled out the burgundy/navy/olive tricolored bag I just had to have it. I *think* I’ll get the black Chanel reissue sometime in the far away future but my closet is complete for now. I love saying it – my closet is complete!
P.S – I like that you wear your clothes and accessories to the ground; when you buy something expensive you can either collect it and keep it safe in your closet, or you can use it to its fullest extent. That fact that you’re doing the latter tells me you’re down to earth and practical. Keep rocking it!
Oh thank you Anna that is very kind – I don’t have enough budget to not wear the things I splurge on so I have to wear them to get the cost down, ha! I love the Celine, I’d be very tempted for that one over the black!
I am one of the biggest fans of wearing black; so much that sometimes, I feel like in my past life, I must have lived in NYC!
I always gravitate towards black and shades of gray for my closet – I always find it so much more chic, and easier to wear from one season to the next. My mom, sister and I tend to swap closets (although my mom has the best clothes!), so it’s important for us to buy things that can also transcend time. I love color too, and every now and then I’ll buy something bright, but those are few and far in between. As for my favorite accessories? A Chanel bag never hurts an outfit
I also love a pair of Prada black pumps, and for the basics, t-shirts from Zara.
Cheers!
I love the all black/all white look. So classy without having to worry about colours clashing
Your Bolide is lovely! Buying your basics in black before branching out to colour was one of the best pieces of style advice given to me by my dad when I was a teen. I have always loved the colour and while I don’t wear a ton of black clothing at the moment, except during the Delhi winter, when my black LBDs emerge, I love my black accessories. I have an Alexander Wang Daria with gunmetal hardware and a MICHAEL Michael Kors quilted lamb skin purse for weekends and evenings. And of course a few pairs of black shoes. Black, navy and grey are my neutrals and form the foundation of my wardrobe.
I love that your Dad gave you that advice! What a stylish guy. I need to pick up more navy items, my wardrobe is definitely lacking there
I think he is more elegant than stylish, and he taught me a lot about the classics. Cut, proportion, colour, frame – he is an artist, which informs his take on clothing, etc.
Navy is a gorgeous neutral, and it looks amazing with red-burgundy-pink. I have really fallen for it in recent years, navy clothing often has a richer resonance than black, which can start to look washed out after a while I find. I do love my black wool LBDs though – the material really contributes to making the most out of black.
I just also realized that since I got a little older, I’ve picked up only a few colorful wardrobe pieces. When I open my closet they are either white, gray, beige or mostly black. Well, black must be forever.
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Amazing as usual Katherine !!
Lamia
http://www.ginger-chocolateandhoney.blogspot.com/
I absolutely adore that Bolide! You look wonderful as always Kat <3
I’m so in love with black ballet flats and I’m hoping to find a beautiful pair of black shoes. I prefer a more fun bag but I love that classic Coach purse.
You do look put together – lovely as always. I have the 10 motif onyx and adore it!! really need to buy the bracelet too…. Elle x
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Another elegant look!:D I swear my blood pressure goes up every time I see a VCA pieceXD! Also I love simple black heels (esp the DVF ones); simple, basic, classic and timeless. They’re hard to beat.
I have the same black bolide! And it’s a really really useful bag. As much as I think I want to get into more colour, I keep coming back to black accessories all the time. Love your necklace!
P I am in love with your RG Bolide – you are so lucky to have both!
Katherine, I love your necklace more and more everytime I see it. I think you’ve convinced me that the onyx is the way to go for now since it fills a void on my closet whereas i already have a strand of pearls. Though, the mop will be on my long term wish list. Just so much i want to get, but need to be responsible!
Trang if you already have pearls then I’d def. go for the onyx first
Try them both on though. But a warning that VCA can get addictive!
Beautiful Bolide. Congrats! It’s one of my favorite H bags!!
Hi Andrea! Thank you!
I wish I had known this too – can you believe that I don’t own a classic black bag? Or any black bag, for that matter. I just always got distracted by other bags. So now what I’d like to get is a black YSL Muse and black Louboutin pumps.