I’ve been taking part in round with black a lot lately (word, that is basic menswear – it’s years/a long time, not weeks/months) that I assumed I’d check out carrying nothing however black. 

This was throughout Pitti at Florence, on a comparatively casual night. Simply dinner with pals.

That stated, occasions like these are additionally a pleasant place to check out appears to be like. Just about something goes, and in reality if there are any expectations, they’re that pals can be carrying one thing fascinating – price speaking about.

The outfit comprised a black Anfa polo shirt from Casatlantic, which I’ve mentioned somewhat right here already, black Irish-linen trousers from Whitcomb & Shaftesbury, and black-suede Sagans from Baudoin & Lange. 

We talked somewhat bit about black trousers earlier than as effectively, within the article on a silk dupioni jacket.

These have been black cords, and it was raised within the feedback how I felt about black-flannel trousers. Black linen, I really feel, falls into the same class as flannels. 

That class is: items that aren’t in any respect versatile, and due to this fact most likely a nasty selection for anybody simply increase a wardrobe; however on the similar time very satisfying for somebody additional alongside the journey, as a result of they’re uncommon with out being loud.

Black trousers are laborious to put on. They don’t go along with a wide range of jackets, or offer you many choices for sneakers. However they’re putting and, dare I say it, fairly horny for it.

Mentioning that contentious subject jogs my memory of the closing thought in André’s piece on intercourse attraction – which was for me the perfect level too: that it’s usually a mixture of confidence and vulnerability. 

The Casatlantic knit has a deeper opening on the chest than every other polo I personal. Its depth is equal to undoing another button on a shirt, on a sizzling day. And there’s no going again there – there aren’t any buttons to do again up once more! 

It is usually brief, with brief arms. So although the form could be somewhat flattering – helped by a big match within the chest – you do really feel fairly uncovered. That is the vulnerability to it, of opening up and feeling extra on show. 

There’s numerous psychology and sociology on this space, and I really feel a feminine author would even be higher positioned to debate it, because it’s extra of a difficulty in womenswear. However I feel it’s a dynamic price elevating in males’s minds too.

Nothing want be stated about the Sagans, as we’ve talked about them persistently. 

Equally, it ought to appear apparent that I wore a small costume watch with a black strap, right here my JLC gold Reverso.

However how in regards to the general mixture of black on black? What did I, and do I now, take into consideration that?

I cherished it that night, however maybe somewhat like exposing extra pores and skin, it will possibly additionally simply tip into trying low-cost. 

The explanation black fits are historically frowned upon in basic menswear is that black can simply look low-cost. 

It shortly appears to be like previous and dusty, with out the richness or lustre of a deep, darkish navy. When it’s made in a nice wool, it will possibly additionally look too shiny, like elbows or thighs of any closely worn go well with.

This stuff are sometimes exaggerated below synthetic lighting, which is the place the custom of carrying midnight blue somewhat than black for a dinner jacket comes from – it appears to be like blacker than black due to its depth and richness. 

Nonetheless, as all the time it relies upon what you’re aiming for. Black makes for a poor enterprise go well with, as a result of the perfect there’s something that appears wealthy and opulent, severe {and professional}. Somebody who wears a black vogue go well with isn’t that – they need matte and even edgy, not the manifestly profitable look of the chairman of the board. 

If I had a black go well with it could be in a fabric that was clearly additionally totally different from that company picture, resembling corduroy.

Black on black can look low-cost – however there’s somewhat much less hazard in one thing like a polo shirt and loafers, somewhat than a go well with.

It additionally helps should you play with textures – suede and leather-based, knitted and woven – and if parts counsel the elegant or luxurious, resembling a really sharp crease within the trouser, or that texture of the suede. 

Others that do that effectively, resembling Kenji at Bryceland’s, additionally appear to reference a Western custom of cowboys carrying black. Although how a lot that goes past Hollywood villains and Hopalong Cassidy I don’t know. 

Anyway, these are my ideas on carrying all black. Not for everybody, and never for anybody all the time, however definitely putting when carried out effectively. 

Because of Jamie, as ever, for giving that impression on me.