On Wednesdays we wear black

Photo by Junette Reyes/FIUSM 

Carolina Barreto/Contributing Writer 

Miami’s nonexistent snow and general lack of cold weather hinders our use of winter apparel.  With the holidays now behind us, it’s time to put away those Bill Cosby inspired “ugly” sweaters. But winter doesn’t end until March 19, so how can you enjoy the season without asphyxiating in a turtleneck? Color. The answer came to me while watching FX’s “American Horror Story: Coven.”

“Change your clothes. Wear something black,” Fiona Goode told me. I realized a dark color palette would help keep the winter spirit without causing me to melt like the Wicked Witch of the West.

People dodge black outfits for fear of looking like a tombstone tourist; however, black can look sleek, slimming and edgy.

The key is to accessorize by integrating your different tastes. Junior biology major Ivanna Gamez says, “I don’t have a specific style. I try to accessorize with things I like even if they don’t look punk. I mix it up, and that’s why it doesn’t look scene or gothic.”

When accessorizing with a black outfit, keep it simple with a watch or a few bracelets. Senior digital media studies major Kristopher Saad advises the guys, “Just cuff your jeans and wear some bold, brightly colored socks that will contrast the color of your outfit.” If you want to remain edgy, you can partner a simple bracelet or necklace with a dark, solid colored hat or studded accessories like boots.

Go beyond all black. Pair it with one dark color: either burgundy, deep purple or gray. Another color provides an accent. If you want an accent that will pop, make it neon. Whether it is one neon yellow necklace or a black dress with a neon orange zipper.

“Colors go beyond clothes and accessories,” Gamez reminds us while wearing MAC’s Punk Couture lipstick. “My makeup and my nails are more seasonal than my clothes. I probably wouldn’t wear the lipstick color I have on now in the summer. The glitter pink nail polish I have on now, I paired by painting my ring finger black. If it was summer, I’d wear it with white.”

A smoky eye with blood red lipstick looks eerie; however, paired with a bright, Marilyn-Monroe-red lipstick, the makeup is modified to be sophisticated.  Do not ice your face like a cake with makeup. Dark colors grab plenty of attention. I recommend the most obvious makeup to be black eyeliner on your upper eyelid and a matte lipstick color.

For lipstick, try red (bright or dark) or a deep purple. Be cautious with deep purple, and stay away from black and blue unless you want to look like you were in a bar fight. For bright and dark red, I recommend Grenadine from Smashbox and Scarlet Empress from NARS. For purple, I recommend both Heroine and Punk Couture from MAC.

Wearing dark lipstick makes any dead skin on your lips visible. Before applying, exfoliate with a scrub such as Lush’s Popcorn Lip Scrub. After exfoliating, apply your favorite lip balm to avoid dryness. Follow with an eye makeup primer to prevent lipstick smudges that’ll make you resemble the Joker. If you don’t have eye makeup primer, apply the lipstick followed by a quick swipe of your powder foundation. These tricks will help the lipstick last longer and prevent it from straying.

If by some wizardry/black magic the temperature drops, do not get overly excited. “Our weather doesn’t limit people because they still go out wearing parkas, Uggs and snow boots when it’s 65 degrees outside,” said Saad.

Please, leave the snow gear cozily tucked away in your closet — especially your Uggs. “First of all, they smell. One thing is to wear black that gets hot, but another is to wear Eskimo boots,” said Gamez.

Ultimately, wear what you feel comfortable in without overheating yourself. “You shouldn’t settle to wear certain things because of where you live. You should base how you dress on how you see yourself,” said Gamez.

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