The New Black

The color black has been every woman’s best friend for as long as the fashion industry has been around. Designers are well aware of this, and have made sure to include plenty of black in every collection they produce. Black matches practically everything, it can easily be layered, it’s unbelievably slimming, and it never goes out of style. I don’t think I’ve ever suspected another color of attempting to steal black’s spotlight… until now.

Milan Fashion Week, New York, and Paris we saw look after look showcasing the color camel and it’s become clear that camel is trying hard to be the new black. To be honest, I expected a lot more resistance from consumers, but everyone seems to be embracing this foreign concept rather than rallying against it. In its defense, camel is an amazing alternative to its darker competitor. For starters, it’s just as versatile, if not more so. A pair of camel trousers is just as essential as a pair of black skinny jeans. The camel trench has almost entirely replaced the black peacoat, and nude heels are definitely popping up a lot more than basic black on the red carpets. Camel bags are appropriate for every occasion, and have become instant classics. What I love about camel is that it is a lot more neutral than black. It looks good with every skin tone, while black often seems too harsh on pale individuals and doesn’t always mesh well with alternative hair colors. Black is also a lot edgier than camel- it gives of a much darker vibe, while camel offers just as big of a statement without the gothic undertones. I’m not so sure that camel will wipe black out of clothing’s existence entirely, but I do think that everyone who is dedicated to their wardrobe should consider investing in a bunch of different neutral pieces. My suggestions are to buy an article from every department in a camel shade- a pair of pants, a skirt, a pair of city shorts, a winter coat, several tops, boots, heels, flats, and even a handbag. That might seem a bit excessive, but since the color is now so popular, it is available everywhere from Fendi to Forever21.

By Ali Antonucci