Black is really Beautiful

"Black is beautiful" encompasses a wide array of meanings and contexts. It does not only pertain to racial colors or social stratification. Black is beautiful in all essences of black's omnipresence. Black cat, black suit, black pants, black dress, black bag, black shoes, black sheets, black car, black walls, black undergarments, black tops, black shirts, black pen --everything black is truly beautiful.

Black should be carefully differentiated from darkness. Although black is the color of darkness, the ideas differ in great variations. Depending on contextual usage and shared meanings, black is not exclusively a property of gloom and doom. Black can be bliss. It can be serenity. It can be an elusive pause needed by millions in this everything-rush-and-fast world. Most of all, black is class and beauty of immeasurable depth.

Sure, there are handful of negative meanings associated with the color black. Well, to be politically correct, black is not a color but actually the absence of any color; a direct opposition to white as the presence of all colors. Anyway, black in traditional connotation is mostly associated with unpleasant ideas. Black is mourning, slavery, doom, plague, demonic forces, bad omen, and a whole lot more that are tangential to man's immortal desire for goodness. However, the link between the color black and the negatives associated with it are not logically founded. As with other words and terms that vary in contextual meanings, the color black is also an element under the mercy of social and cultural conventions. We should not fault cultures and societies associating black with everything that is negative. But we should also not fall prey to the self-defeating box that confines the horizon of black.

Black is also seen as an element of impeccable elegance. It speaks of steadfast authority, strong will, courage, determination, and unwavering belief. In some tribes of Tanzania, Kenya, and other African countries, black is the color of rain clouds that signify the start of-- rain, irrigation, farming, harvest-- life. In institutions of higher learning, government agencies such as the judiciary, and many formal organizations, black is perceived as order, discipline, propriety, and formality. Prestige is another positive association to the color black. More limousines and luxury cars come in black than any other color. In martial arts and self-defense disciplines, black belt is the highest level one can attain. It is almost, if not totally, being perfect. Most evidently, black is associated to the fashion world's stylishness and class.

Probably the best way to realistically appreciate the mystery of the color black is to see how great it works for women. Evening gowns, dresses, simple tops, shirts, skirts, jeans, bags, stilettos, and pumps in color black make great wonders for women more than any color can. It highlights curves and conceals flabs, it focuses not on unwanted areas and draws more attention on women's assets. It pulls attention but not insult or rudeness. It makes one's presence felt and noticed. Most especially, black makes swimsuits easier to wear for women concerned about their body shapes.

Black swimsuits make the already sexy even sexier and make the not-so-sexy fellas considerably curvy. Try watching swimsuit portions of beauty pageants, bikini contests, and classy movies and you are sure to spot black swimsuits in a good light. Some come in total black while others are accentuated with stripes or minor prints of contrasting hue. Be it a two-piece bikini wear or a one-piece swim wear, black is a constant color parading in beach shores and resorts all over the world. Renowned celebrities and world-class models are often seen sporting black swimsuits in photo shoots and vacation getaways.

Urban Outfitters Jungle Scarf

THE ASKMEN TAKE

If you’re still donning a black and white checkered keffiyeh (or if you were brazen enough, that hideous purple version) as a year-round scarf, it’s time to let it go. It looks better on Saudi oil oligarchs anyway. Go back to Urban Outfitters and trade it in for the gauzy Jungle Scarf in bright moss or plaid. Spring is all about mixing and matching patterns with simple accessories that add color. A fine-gauge scarf is an excellent way to do just that.

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You were probably trying to be one-of-a-kind when you purchased that keffiyeh until you realized that everyone from Rachael Ray to the Taliban had one. The key to defining your style with this scarf depends on how it’s paired. The over five feet of length gives you the freedom to wear it in an infinite number of ways. Of course, the easy thing to do is toss it on with jeans and a V-neck T-shirt. That outfit might even land you a part-time job at the local Urban to bankroll the nasty shopping habit you’ve been trying to kick during these tough times. However, if you’re a little more adventurous, it can make an otherwise fussy suit and tie edgy without looking like you tried too hard. Just refrain from sporting it on your head -- that’s better left to the keffiyeh.

DURABILITY

Unlike your heavy winter scarf that inevitably found its way onto the grungy floor at a budget-conscious office holiday potluck, you won’t have to worry about dry cleaning the lighter spring rendition; it’s machine washable. The trendy keffiyeh may have outlived its 15 minutes of fashion fame, but this simple scarf will last for seasons. It injects a welcome splash of color into any look from casual to classed-up. However, make sure to skip the iron. The Jungle Scarf was born to be wild.

Salvatore Ferragamo Andrea Lace-Up Shoes

THE ASKMEN TAKE

These finely crafted black leather lace-up dress shoes from Salvatore Ferragamo are made in Italy, and are designed with only two eyelets for the laces and a plain, smooth, rounded toe. The heel is stacked and the shoe has a high vamp when compared to most dress shoes, giving it a sleek and low overall profile. As a result, the shoe wraps itself around the base of your ankle snugly for a minimal, contemporary look.

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When spotted among the wingtips, cap-toe oxfords and other old standbys favored by so many men, these Salvatore Ferragamo Andrea lace-ups not only stand out, but they do so in a subtle, refined manner. The two-eyelet design is enough to draw a second glance, but it’s the purity of the unadorned toe that makes this shoe a must-have.

DURABILITY

A well-made leather dress shoe will outlast you, and even follow you to the grave if polished and cared for properly. The initial cost may seem extravagant, but consider this: You’re paying for an artisan-crafted product that may very well be the last dress shoe you’ll ever buy. What you pay now could actually save you money in the long run.

Prince Charles was recently seen sporting a pair of shoes that he has owned for nearly 20 years. In the present financial climate, there are far worse places to invest your money than in a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo Andrea lace-ups.

Coach Transatlantic Commuter Brief

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Business travel just got a little more stylish with the introduction of the Coach Transatlantic Commuter Brief. Available in weather-resistant black or mahogany leather, this case is a soft-sided alternative to the usual hard-shell box of old. The Coach Transatlantic Commuter Brief features double handles and a shoulder strap, allowing you to carry or wear the bag over your shoulder or across your chest. The interior pockets have zippered closures that match the outside zippered opening.

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Unlike so many leather shoulder briefs that have just enough room for a few file folders and perhaps a book or travel papers, the Coach Transatlantic Commuter Brief was designed with the overnight flier in mind. Special interior pockets were incorporated to conveniently hold a cell phone, pens and other electronic items. Outside, additional pockets were added to hold business cards and credit cards, which allows for easy business-card trades or putting that pre-flight meal on the company card without rifling through the entire bag.

DURABILITY

Coach is known for its craftsmanship at reasonable prices, and while a leather bag will cost you more than one of those nylon businessmen specials at the office supply store, you’ll get far more use out of the Coach Transatlantic Commuter Brief than you ever imagined. Even if you’re not traveling on business, you need a bag designed for the modern man that isn’t an old gym bag rescued from the basement. If you invest in and take care of a stylish and quality bag like the Coach Transatlantic Commuter Brief, you’ll be able to pass it down to your son when he heads off to college.

Gold & Wood A14 Rimless Eyeglasses

THE ASKMEN TAKE

These are rimless glasses from modern eyewear pioneer Maurice Leonard at Gold & Wood Paris. The small operation turns out well-designed, well-made frames featuring fine woods and metals often shaped by the hands of Leonard himself. These rimlesseyeglasses feature temples available in Tanganika wood, white horn and black wood, or ebony and mahogany woods. It takes Leonard’s expert staff a minimum of three days to make each pair in their Paris workshop.

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Rimless frames accentuate the face and allow more of your eyes to be seen, and you can find other similar frames for less but you’ll have a hard time finding a pair with this much detail and craftsmanship. Then there are the rare woods and the use of actual animal horn. Few designers attempt such combinations today, preferring instead to simply sketch the design and farm out or license their name to an existing frame manufacturer overseas. Gold & Wood Paris, on the other hand, makes each frame from scratch, by hand, after Maurice Leonard has completed his initial design work. Craftsmanship in a world dominated by mass production is truly unique.

DURABILITY

These are instant classics and modern marvels of craftsmanship that go far beyond just being a pair of glasses. They will break, of course, but so will a cheaper pair of frames if not treated well. The payoff here is that you’ve got the ultimate confluence of form meets function in the A14 rimless eyeglasses from Gold & Wood. The price is no higher than other designer frames, and while the temple pieces are indeed wood the frames overall stand up well to daily use. Make no mistake, however, that these are a fashionitem. Rimless frames accentuate the face and allow more of your eyes to be seen.

Raf Simons Aluminum Sunglasses

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Fashion’s recent emphasis on muted hues like gray make these tinted aluminum sunglasses from Belgian designer Raf Simons bang on trend for fall. Futuristic and architectural-looking without being too space age-y, you’ll excite women all around you with a single glance when you step out in these shades. And much like black sunglasses, you won’t even have to check yourself out in the mirror before you head out the door as you can rest assured these will work well with virtually everything you own.

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Drawing inspiration from youth culture and the Nu Rave scene, these shades will show your true colors as a fun-loving dude. Fortunately, they’re also classic enough and sufficiently serious-looking to be worn to the office every day, or anywhere else you need to appear like an adult. So, go ahead and pair these sunglasses with everything from sleek suiting to high-tops. Another feature that makes these shades unique and appealing is their color as, while they would verge on boring if you bought them in black, gray makes them so much more fashion-forward. They’ll also complement a variety of face shapes due to their simple yet gorgeous design, and they are the perfect accessory for practically any occasion.

DURABILITY

With these shades, Raf Simons has succeeded in taking sunglasses from an accessory to a must-have, wear-everywhere wardrobe staple, which is good news considering the new zeitgeist in fashion is decidedly somber and minimalist. These shades play into that trend, but will undoubtedly continue to work their magic once the economic pendulum swings the other way. Given the variety of choices you’ll have to mix with these and the fact that you’ll love them so much you’ll be sleeping in them, the price tag is not atrocious and we’d highly recommend snagging a pair before it’s too late.

Band of Outsiders Club Tie

THE ASKMEN TAKE

This silk tie is an avant-garde cravat from the Band of Outsiders design house that features a reversed thistle embroidered sparingly over a traditional club tie motif, and it's bang on trend with the season’s preppy look.

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To take a club tie motif and use a reversed thistle design is a less-than-subtle tweak of the nose at the country club set, which makes this the perfect anti-establishment piece of neckwear for those who like to fly a little under the radar but still need to create a stir once in a while. One can almost imagine themselves as a young Mick Jagger sporting this tie as they tip-toe along the lines of social mores and sensibilities. This is all the more obvious as one notices the simple color scheme of black stripe, white thistle and gray base of the silk in this Band of Outsiders Club Tie.

DURABILITY

Silk ties last when cared for, so let's focus on the style, which is impeccable without being drab. Yes, the Band of Outsiders Club Tie is black, gray and white, but this is why it will last many seasons. You may tire of its simplicity, but you will return to it again and again. The difficulty will only be in choosing the right suit cut and colors to match. You can play with the notion of a modern suitcut with high arm holes and narrow lapels or you could just get on with it, and go for the ever wearable two-button charcoal suit to give the tie a proper backdrop from which to make its statement.

Van Heusen Skinny Ties

THE ASKMEN TAKE

Van Heusen may be known for stitching shirts of the no-iron, fuss-free, cotton-blend variety, but the mass manufacturer, sold almost exclusively in JCPenney, does occasionally leave the safety and comfort of barn life for trendier pastures. Fitted dress shirts in slimmer fits come in a palette that strays from the confines of tried and true whites and blues. Brighter colors, like jewel-toned purples, pop against subdued black-and-slate gray offerings. And when arguably one of the most basic brands in a store that breeds consistency is ready to change things up, it’s a wake-up call that everyone should be able to hear even if you’re stuck in a cornfield. Now, Van Heusen is churning out playmates for its trimmer fit shirts. Meet their interpretation of the skinny tie.

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It may have taken an arduous six seasons or so for the skinny tie phenomenon to trickle down from the runways into the gut of the garment industry, but the style has managed to seep under JCPenney’s doors. Van Heusen’s version takes the lobster bib width of the nondescript, 9-to-5 government-worker tie and refuses to give it a mandated one-hour lunch break. What you wind up with is a waistline that has shrunk a modest ¾". It’s a subtle change, but the results are surprisingly dramatic. And it comes in seven colors, including an unexpected solid pink and white.

DURABILITY

There is no need to cut the skinny tie loose at the end of the season. Like almost all of JCPenney’s products, this one is in it for the long haul. The tie is made from 100% silk, the steak-and-potatoes-eating daddy of tie fabrics. Colors like red, black, charcoal, baby blue, and eggplant are reliable enough for looks that run the gamut from the everyday to the eclectic. And at $24.99 a pop, they’re an easy and economical way to update your workwear wardrobe this holiday season.