Now that normal (non-Christmas) service has resumed on the blog, let’s get back to talking style!
First of all I’ll address the elephant in the room: This is almost head-to-toe black, an unknown occurrence in my world! I have chickened out, however, and worn navy and black together – some people say that the verdict’s out on this combination. For example, I freaked out my mum with this outfit. To explain…
I wore it on Christmas Eve when we went over to my parents’ house for the festive few days with them and the rest of the family, and I felt like wearing something smart (because, you know, Santa was coming). However I know she doesn’t like navy and black together, so it was a bit mean in a way because she’s always interested in what I’m wearing – this time she got all “Nooo, not navy and black…!”
So apologies to my mother for the scare, but it’s the way I cope with an all-dark outfit. I can’t say I’ve really worn and navy with black before, but now I see it in the pictures I truly love it. Really unusual for me is the wearing of black next to my face, but when I saw this black ruffled sweater with cut-out detail from Marks & Spencer (sadly sold out, though I equally love this one) I fell in love.
SHOP THE LOOK:
And it didn’t disappoint IRL, either: You can’t quite see in the pictures (black is SO hard to photograph well!) but the entire yoke has little holes in it. So along with the ruffles it makes for a very pretty top, and much prettier than a plain black knit. I actually wore a white t-shirt underneath to show off the detail better – you definitely don’t want to wear black underwear or a black top under a sweater like this because you’ll lose the cut-out detail. Go for nude or white instead.
The finishing touches were a pretty flower brooch I picked up for a song (£1!) before Christmas from New Look (their sales are always so amazing for bargains) – a brooch adds a perfect amount of jewellery to a top that you can’t really wear a necklace with, plus that dreamy ochre slouch hobo bag. A wonderfully muted punch of colour (if that’s not a contradiction in terms) for all the black and inky navy-ness.
So my verdict? Navy and black can be worn together. Just don’t show your mother.
Onto the link up! Add your outfits to this week’s link up and if you’ve added a link to here or my button to your post you may be featured next week!
DO YOU WEAR NAVY AND BLACK TOGETHER? COMMENT BELOW, OR TAKE IT TO TWITTER @NOTLAMB!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Thank you for joining the #iwillwearwhatilike link up! This started as a campaign on Instagram in August 2015 where women over 30 wore everything on a journalist’s list of “inappropriate” items for 30+ women (including leopard print, short dresses and oversized sunglasses. Yes, really). It was so popular that I decided to carry it on weekly where women of all ages link up their fabulous style, never mind what anyone tells them not to wear!
The link up goes live every Monday at 3pm UK time and will stay open for a week. Whilst the original article was of course aimed at the 30+, you can be ANY age to link up. The only criteria is that you’re wearing whatever you damn well like!
Linking up etiquette…
CLICK HERE to read the rules of linking up (and to grab the #iwillwearwhatilike button). Basically it’s just good manners to link back to here – to leave a comment is even nicer!
Featured favourites
My favourite outfits from last week’s link up:
(L-R) RetroChicMama | J Petite | In My Joi | Funky Forty | What Lizzy Loves
To get yourself featured next week, make sure you’ve included a link back to Not Dressed As Lamb or my button in your post/sidebar!
DO SHARE THE LOVE AND VISIT AS MANY LINKS AS YOU CAN (YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT OTHER LOVELY LIKE-MINDED LADIES YOU MIGHT MEET) – THE ORIGINAL INSTAGRAM CAMPAIGN FORGED SOME WONDERFUL NEW FRIENDSHIPS SO DON’T MISS OUT!
Love love love this outfit Catherine. I think navy and black is a very chic, almost Parisienne combo. The black sets your hair off beautifully and the brooch adds the perfect detail. You look super pretty in the close-ups too. Lots of love you lovely lady and I hope your mum's recovered!!!! xxxxx
Love the black and Navy pairing. I must try it this year. #brillblogposts
Gah! I love these trousers so much, must have some. You look gorgeous as ever, and it's great to see you again! Thanks for linking up, xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
My Mum would totally freak too, it breaks the mumcode huh but you look fabulous and it works. So wish that sweater wasn't sold out though, weep. Congrats on your nom, yay! x
I have never worn black and navy simply because it was drummed into me from a young age that it didn't go! It totally does though! #brilliantblogposts
Yes, yes, you can! Love how you tied this together! See my example in the link up too:)
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Black and navy look so good together! Hope you had a great new year celebration!
~ xo Sheree
Posh Classy Mom
Instagram
If anyone can do navy and black together, it'll be you, dearest Catherine…after all, you are a true "colour mix-master!!" 😀 And I think your adorable sweater also proves how AMAZING black looks with copper hair; the 'do, the fuchsia lippy, and that yummy tote are all the colour you need in this super-chic holiday combo!! P.S. Adore that brooch, too!! P.P.S. High five on being short-listed for the UK Blog Awards; this will be YOUR year…I can feel it!! XOXO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
OMG Thank you so much for featuring me Catherine!!!
xxx Yvonne
http://www.funkyforty.com
I think it looks stunning, and YOU look stunning here. I love the flower pin; it really jumps out at you from a black background. Surely your mother changed her opinion?? xx
You're not one to be put off by silly rules are you Catherine? You've done a great styling job with black and blue and I particularly like the contrast colour for your handbag. The little brooch is a great choice to wear with this too.
Happy New Year and good luck with the awards!
Anna
http://www.annasislandstyle.com
Yes, you can wear navy and black together. It's actually "in" too. I own a navy and black pencil skirt. Amazing look. You look great!
I don't think I've never worn navy and black together, but I like it. I especially like the pop from the purse with it.
I remember my nan saying "blue and green should never be seen"! Those old rules make me chuckle. I really like navy and black together. Your jumper is lovely and the brooch really stands out against the black. Massive congratulations on being shortlisted again…third time lucky hey? 😉
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
Aww thanks Emma – and yes maybe, third time's a charm and all that! 😉
I think it's quite a modern notion, of not wearing black and navy together – I've seen vintage suits that mix the colours! They definitely did it on men's '60s soul suits, usually with the added texture of velvet. I think it's fab to mix them, and you've done it so well here. Happy New Year Catherine! xx
I've not thought about how vintage styles put navy and black together, Porcelina – but you're right, and that's probably why it looks rather classy! HNY to you too, and thank you x
Black and blue, why not? I also like the bag! Any skirt outfit? I missed to see a skirt on you.
Can't wait! 🙂
I actually love the navy and black combination and your outfit is amazing.
March and May
I love the way you styled this whole look. The brooch is fabulous!
Life is just Rosie
Instagram
I think the black and navy work beautifully together. I don't think I'd ever have even questioned the combo. And you know I love brooches. I think I own about 200 of them! I almost always prefer vintage ones but I think yours is lovely. It resembles some from the 1960s.
And, boy, do I know about photographing black. I've had two cats in my adult life, both black (one lived to 20, one's still with me at 20), and I don't think I've ever managed to take a proper photograph of their magnificence.
http://www.sublimemercies.com/
I wondered if you knew that's why black cats aren't popular on Instagram, Charlotte? Because they're so hard to photograph… Isn't that crazy?!
I don't think there are any colors out there that can't be worn together, as long as we put some thought into it. I love this look and the bag just gives it that perfect color "Wow!" You look splendid! – Amy
http://stylingrannymama.com/
You're a girl after my own (colourful) heart, Amy!! thank you hon x
You look fabulous! I love to wear navy and black together and congratulations on the UK blog awards! Represent!
Thank you Judith! x
I love Navy and Black together….BUT it is a nightmare to photograph!
Please please PLEASE do a "how to" photography post about photographing dark clothing.
It's a nightmare.
This is a great outfit.
XXX
Samantha
fakefabulous.com
It IS a nightmare – you're right, Samantha!! Okay I'll pencil it in for this year, I'll see what I can do!
Thanks so much sweetie xx
Happy New Year, Catherine! Screw those old rules, jeez! I wore blue and black for New Year's Eve, so linking up in support of your awesome combination. Congrats on the short-listing!
Hurrah, another navy and black fan! Thanks Sheila x
Very chic. All those old rules are so lame.
bisous
Suzanne
Hear, hear, Suzanne!!
Personally I love navy and black together Catherine – this outfit looks awesome on you. Adore the way you teamed up the darker colours with a bright yellow bag!
Wishing you the most wonderful 2017!
xx Yvonne
http://www.funkyforty.com
I was never aware of the black/blue no-no rule until I started blogging. It doesn't really make sense to me because black itself is often derived from lots of blues – black is never really black. No matter, this is a great outfit. And I love the bag with this.
The combo looks great together. I wear a lot of dark jeans with black tops, does that count as wearing navy & black together?
hmm not sure, I think blue denim is a colour in itself (and as it goes so well with black it doesn't make any sense that navy and black aren't "supposed" to be worn together!)
yes you wear and you look amazing! this sweater is just so so cute!
Irene
http://www.thedailylace.com
I quite literally just bought the sweater in electric blue in the M & S sale! I love the way you've styled it with the brooch.
oh wow I thought about the blue, Angie – but I rarely wear black so this was more unusual for me!! thank you x
I think you look absolutely smashing, love your brooch too Catherine. Wishing you all the best for the new year. Love, Kirsten xx
http://www.thelifbissue.com
thank you Kirsten, and you too! x
I love navy and black together! It's a sophisticated combo.
I have indeed worn black and navy before – in a "chicken" sort of way with navy trews and top, and black shoes and bag. Nowadays it's harder to tell the difference between black and navy tights so I quite often find I am mixing black and navy by mistake. It can look classy, as your outfit shows.
Gail
http://www.isthismutton.com
Hmm it's difficult when the navy is very dark and looks like black, Gail! thank you sweetie, glad you liked it x
I wouldn't normally wear this colour, but this does look good. I like the front detail on the trousers x
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com
I love this outfit. I think black and blue look great together but I love to put colors together that I was taught growing up you should never put together. Pink and red, green and blue, etc. I love the contrast of your bag with this outfit also. Looking lovey!!!! Peace! Cheryl Tucker
It's a genuinely perplexing question because I have been on both sides of this one. I think it all depends on the actual outfit in question & perhaps the depth of blue? Your outfit really works here Catherine, the top is divine (shame it's sold out but typical M&S)& the trousers are fabulous in their uniquness…
I still can't take my eyes off your lashes!
MT xxx
thanks MT – I think you're right about the right shade of blue/navy…!
Love this!!!
Jaymie
You have the perfect shade of navy in those pants to pull this off; and pull it off you did! ;0) Also, appreciate the lovely accessories. Well done and thank you for hosting this fabulous link up.
I like navy and black together, and you did it very well. But it was mean to wear it to your mom's house if you know she doesn't like it… 🙂
A big CONGRATS on being shortlisted once again! You rock!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
Thanks so much Andrea!! x
Lovely outfit, I would wear it in a heartbeat (if I had your figure). And yes I do wear black with blue. And black with brown and brown with grey. I have finally shed those silly rules and it gives me a feeling of freedom.
I am going to link up with a sequined top, still a bit party party, but I am late to… the party.
Greetje
Très chic! I love black and navy together because it snubs it's nose at all the old rules!
Happy new year, Gorgeous!
OXOX
Dawn Lucy
http://fashionshouldbefun.com
It sure does, Dawn Lucy!! thanks hon x
I do love the navy & black combo—maybe because I've been told I can't wear it for so long–ha ha!
I did link up the photo of my wedding dress, but I wasn't sure if you considered that an "outfit". I understand if you don't want it included, Catherine!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Hi Jodie and yes it's fine… The link up is for outfit inspo and to prove we can wear what we like – so of COURSE wedding dresses come under that category!! x