The Elegance of the Color Black and Its History
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The color black will always be loved. Its sleek elegance never fails and makes any outfit look complete. It is easy and comforting when all else goes wrong. Not to say it is the kind of color you would resort to, however, like we said, the color never fails.
It all began when Baldassare Castiglione (1478-1529) identified black as an ideal color for courtiers. Castiglione was an Italian courtier, diplomat, soldier, and a notable Renaissance author. Castiglione wrote The Book of the Courtier, which deals with ideal etiquette and morality of the courtier. One moral responsibility of the courtier in Castiglione’s eyes was to wear the color black as it was symbolic for many reasons. Castiglione states his love for the color black in the following quote:
“To be handsome and cleanly in his apparel. To make his garments after the fashion of the most, and those to be black, or of some darkish and sad color, not garish… To be an honest, a faire conditioned man, and of an upright conscience. To have the virtues of the mind, as justice, manliness, wisdom, temperance, staidness, noble courage, sober mood, etc.” (The Book of the Courtier, 1528).
PORTRAIT BY SOFONISBA ANGUISSOLA OF PHILIP II
There are many arguments as to who was the one to popularize the color black. It was said that Philip ll’s (1527-1598) preference for black started in Spain and spread throughout Europe by the 1580s. Another claim states that black started being worn by nobility of Northern Italy, the Duke of Milan, and the Count of Savoy to name a few. In France, Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy (1396-1467), was considered to be one of the first noblemen to popularize black for court fashions.
In some parts of Europe, vivid colors were prohibited to anyone except the nobility. Black became popular amongst government officials, magistrates, wealthy bankers, and merchants. Wearing a black garment was a sign of wealth due to the cost of the pure black dye.
The use of black color in fashion grew popular in the 1700s. For some time it became less prevalent until it got popular again during the French Revolution. Menswear in the 18th century especially grew appreciation for the color black and characterized it as dark, but simple and somber.
Black at this time was also associated with the romantic movement as the color of melancholy and mystery. Many associated it with evening wear as well. By the time of the Industrial Revolution in the 1700s, synthetic black dyes and increased production in the textile industry made black clothes available to the general population.
COURTESY OF REX FEATURES
In the 1920s, black was considered the most fashionable color to wear as it was suitable for any occasion. The iconic Chanel “Little Black Dress” was a statement in making black the color for future generations due to its classic, elegant personality.
COURTESY OF DAVID FENTON/GETTY IMAGES
When the Black Panther Party emerged in 1966, founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, they created a uniform that was different from the others that had previously been worn to fight for human rights in the Black community. From a dignified church attire look to a powerful all-black look, the Black Panthers wanted to change their tone in their fight against police brutality. The blue shirts, black pants, and black leather jackets with a black beret were respectable but intentionally rebellious. They were using their appearance to showcase the change they demanded. The color black emphasized power, pride, and beauty to rid the stigma that black is bad. This sparked the mantras, “Black power” and “Black is beautiful.”
At the State of the Union in 2018, 65 members of the Democratic Women’s Working Group and their supporters wore black in solidarity with victims of sexual abuse.
Black is a bold color. It sets a clear message and has an undeniable power. It serves numerous groups with its ambiguous meaning. Religious groups wear black to serve to the meaning of seriousness and diligence. Biker gangs, punks, and goths find meaning in the color black as a form of rebellion. Many cultures use black as the color of mourning, while on the other hand, it can be the epitome of sophistication, chicness, and eroticism.
COURTESY OF GEORGE KARGER
Audrey Hepburn’s black sheath dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s became the definition of black chic attire. With a midi hem and a sleeveless silhouette, the look was so iconic.
COURTESY OF JIM SMEAL
To another extreme, Drew Barrymore is wearing a black leather jacket with oversized black shorts in the 1990s at the Longtime Companion screening in LA. The typical grunge look of the 90s is the epitome of black being worn in a rebellious, fun way.
In a recent analysis, a retail technology firm, Edited, reported that 38.5% of more than 183,000 dresses sold online in the US were black making it the most common color available.
From 2014 to 2017, Edited found that women were increasingly purchasing black clothing at fast-fashion brands- 145% at Zara, 269% at Boohoo, 89% at Forever 21, and 114% at H&M.
Black is generally a safe and easy choice for many people as it fits any skin tone and body type. It is almost always appealing and never goes out of style. It is both modest and arrogant, lazy and easy, yet mysterious and sharp looking. Black is the most versatile color and will always be a color everyone can rely on.
