Today, like Scarlett, I am proudly banding!

Thanks, Marilyn, for answering my question!

I agree the fashion issue gets(Americans) backs up. have many Friends in Paris, France and none wear black except for some very formal dining nights out, but if they did wear black all the time, it wouldn't bother me nor would or should I care. If someone is fun to be with, by all means wear anything that pleases you. I love fashion, think it should be fun, love textures and playing with the unusual and Not a one of my friends could caRE LESS. THEY ARE ALL STRICTLY JEANS OR aNN tAYLOR, SORRY KEYS STICKING AGAIN,
but i love them all!

I must say that I am Impressed..Such a simple question about wearing or not black received 70 qs...

I dont care about wearing black,especially in the summer, I have enough confidence in myself and dont need to impress others by wearing it..

Ciao Y"ALL..

PATRICK!! ARE YOU READING THIS?? TAKE NOTES FOR YOUR NEXT APRIL FOOL!!

Patrick will have a hard time improving on the Gates April Fools joke, even using all this black crap.

So much depends on where you are going and when, regarding which colors seem right.

That said, the fact is that black is practical for travel, as is any dark-ish color. It alsways looks classic and good, i.e. it is a safe alternative when your time for laundry is limited. The trick is to be able to mix it up with come colors.

Also: prints are pretty good at hiding "accidents." A print dress or blouse breaks up the monotony.

Wearing any one color for an extended period makes me want to kill myself. However, if my suitcase space is relatively limited, I just find it easier to mix in a few colors (tops; a jacket; etc.) that match with black or gray bottoms, more than navy, beige, etc. although those work, too, especially in warm months.

I've also had a few experiences in Paris where "average" people like the cabbie or newstand guy has complimented me about the color of jacket I was wearing, saying something like, "That is the color Chanel has in the windows, you know." (He wasn't lying.) Europeans appreciate color as much as anyone. The "hot" colors this year seem to be lime, orange, and aqua, although pink is always good but has been in for a while.

Also: IMHO, the only place a steady diet of black looks good is in "gray" cities like New york, Chicago, London, Milan, etc. in cooler months. Places like London also appreciate eccentrics and personal style, which often involve color. Black always looks REALLY BORING and dead in tropical cities like Miami and resorts. I grew up in New York, and now live in the Chicago area. I can't tell you how many men come up to me when I wear color in those cities and tell me how good I look -- you look more cheerful in color. (I'm of a "certain age" -- these are not pick-up lines.) I think they just get tired to looking at a gray city and gray people (although admittedly, I'm more with the black-andgray pack in winter months, colorful blouse.)

If it is any help: I will be in Europe from Scottish Highlands to Italy for 5 weeks this year, both in the country and in cities. Since they take up so much room, it is almost easiest for me to figure out which handbag/tote I want for touring and daywear, and one for evening purposes (small and then which shoes to take for day (2 pairs,) for evening, and a pair of beige jeans and sneakers suitable for "rambles" (easy hiking.) I spend my "room" on clothes once I've minimized the shoes/bag issues but at least giving me some flexibility. I plan a wardrobe around a deep yellow day-bag that will go with outfits based on skirts of medium tan, white, and yellow-orange; lots of various color tops to mix and match; a couple of dresses in various colors and prints to coordinate with that bag or a small white evening bag (e.g. an aqua cocktail dress need only go with the white bag, and I can wear it a few times various shoes to match, like small-volume, low-heeled evening slides NOT meant for serious day excursions, but a real lift in the evening. Sweaters or layers, etc., of course, as appropriate.

So: definitely do some color for your spirits, but it helps to have a "foundation" of key colors to base your wardrobe around.

Even if you build a wardrobe around a neutral color, I find that it is easiest not to get bored if you pack a few colorful or print tops, and then a dress you can wear with your shoes that is in a different color or print (e.g. a Pucci-like print dress or top and coordinates with basic shoes.)

Similarly, I can easily do a week-plus in Bermuda from a small suitcase, packed with Lilly Pulitzer's goofy-but-fun colorful prints with solid tops for the skirts and a dress or two, add shorts, bathing suits, and beach bag stuff. Don't try these in Europe.

No, it's not the Rick Steve's version of packing light, but I get a lot of bang for my packing buck and my husband compliments me on my packing abilities. Again, I think the key is to figure out the shoes and bags you want to take; then figure out a few "bottoms" and dresses that can coordinate with colors

My apologies for those smiley faces in my post above -- I type a semi-colon, and get a smiley face.

'Should also mention that a friend who lives in my town is one of those equisitely-dressed women from Milan who make fashion look fabulous and effortless. A few days ago she had on beautifully cut jeans, a tan suede jacket, and a lime green scarf, great shoes (flats) as always.

And for those who pooh-pooh fashion and presentation, we all know that it is what is inside that counts. Hwoever, you also get one chance to make a good first impression.

For "mm"

<THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A TROLL.>

You must be new around here.

Um, what did I misspell, Leely???????

Did you see Pope Benny's gold and crimson stole on CNN today? I think that will be all the rage in Europe now, especially in Berlin.

"Um, what did I misspell, Leely???????"

Frankly, I haven't the foggiest. I thought the other poster was referring to you. Orthography is hardly my specialty.

But I did learn something from this post, and that was the Lillet and soda recipe from Scarlett.

I prefer my Lillet on the rocks. And Scarlett are you drinking the white or red?

This has little direct connection to this thread, but the story bears a moral. I was at a dinner at the Kennedy Library in Boston about 10 years ago and noticed that everyone was wearing solid black or grey or brown except for three of us (and we all came from northern California) which made me and my friend feel oddly out of place, until Jackie Kennedy came in wearing a bright yellow dress (size 0). So I suppose that it all depends on your sense of "entitlement" and/or self confidence.

>Jackie Kennedy came in wearing a bright yellow dress (size 0)<

You knew the size 0 thing exactly how?

Could you be a little clearer on the moral the story alledgedly bears?

Oh my goodness, I was away from my computer all day and I can't believe all the action on my post, both good and bad.
First of all, I truly did wonder about the wearing of black in European cities. I had read on MANY posts that simply everyone wears BLACk. I've also read many times that NYC is the same. I'm not just talking about recent posts. This BLACK thing goes way back. And it does confuse me.

I repeat, there are such pretty spring colors in the stores. I truly wanted to know who bought them, if everyone was wearing black.

I'm so pleased to read that so many posters are NOT wearing black on vacation ( or at home). I'm grateful to all those posters who shared my idea that it is not necessary and it's so much fun to wear the latest colors and to feel good in the spring. Thanks to all of you. I appreciate it.

I wore a new pink outfit today and was very pleased to receive many, many compliments. Pink IS in!

I'm hearing that my timing was bad. I don't know who Muffin is, nor was it ever my intention to be a troll or to be mean to anyone, or to upset anyone.
I suppose it's the old story, you can't please everyone. I rarely post, and the negative replys are one of the main reasons.
People are quick to jump in and yell troll if they don't like the post.

I appreciate all the advice and thank everyone who had kind words.
I try , myself to be kind to people and to remember what my mom told me... there is NO stupid question.
And also , if you can't say anything nice........

But I'll break my own rule...
Budman, spare us the vision of the speedo. There is NO color that could possibly make the viewing any better!!

Scarlett, do you have anything written on your black T Shirt? A rock band or a catchy phrase? That could make it ok again!!!!

gone, I don't think people yell troll if they don't like the post. I think they yell troll if the post sounds particularly naive or provocative. Yours comes off as a bit naive, but never mind.

I didn't mean to imply that your timing was "bad," only that it came at a time when suspicions were running high.

Muffin was a <i>most</i> amusing troll. I am her biggest fan. Her posts were hilarious and the replies were often fodorite wit at its cleverest. For example, she posted that she was going to the Caribbean and planning to wear leather pants on the plane, but they squeaked when she walked. What could she do to eliminate the squeak so she wouldn't be stared at as she went down the aisle to the toilet?

I think my favorite was her tips for ladies in hotel rooms, which included the brilliant idea of putting your toiletries in the bathroom. Ah, where are the muffins of yesteryear?

Marilyn, you are making me laugh! I recently used the word &quot;scoured&quot; (as in search) in a paper I was writing and thought of muffin dearest...now that's sick, lol

Bonsoir Mimi,
My Lillet Spritzer was with Red.
And no, I was wearing just a plain black Banana Republic tee shirt..But tomorrow I can wear the white tee shirt with the red Beer advertisement on it in Nepalese
It is very cool with elephants on it too

Thanks, Marilyn for being so kind. I'll have to look up Muffin and read her posts.
I may be getting the hang of it here!! Were Muffins leather pants black???

Scarlett, any t shirts with elephants are way cool!!....no matter what color. But pink elephants?? and you have it made in the shade!!