Press Level Fashion-Back In Black

The powers that be in the social fashion realm all have their own spin on the list of clothing items that every woman needs for a well-rounded wardrobe.

A tan trench coat. A tailored pencil skirt. A good pair of pumps. You get the idea.

There are several black basics that virtually every list of ‘Wardrobe Must-haves’ has on them; these versatile items are also quite useful for transitioning from the press box to post-game cocktail time.

And on Tuesday when the Sharks closed out their four-game homestand hosting the Leafs, I was in a particularly edgy mood and decided to throw together a black-on-black-black ensemble.

Here’s each piece, what they play well with, and how not to look too funereal if you yourself choose to incorporate a similar outfit into your week:

THE BLACK BLAZER: I live in San Francisco, which is a major jacket city. You really don’t ever know when the fog is going to roll in and cause the temps to plummet a good 10-15 degrees.

I have many blazers, but my black H&M blazer–which I picked out in a larger size so it has more of an “I-stole-this-from-my-dude” feel–gets the most wear. It can be paired with a tee and jeans, a nice pair of slacks, even cut-offs and a fedora if you’re feeling extra fly. For game nights, the blazer plays very well with dresses and stockings.

*tip: Try on your blazer before you buy it! It doesn’t have to be expensive, but make sure it fits your shoulders and arms properly, and that you can move in it comfortably. When in doubt, take a shopping buddy to help you make your jacket purchase.

THE LBD: Truth, I own more little black dresses than most people. Like, way more than I should.

But this one, which I call my Breakfast At Tiffany’s dress, is one of my favorites. I snagged it from a little chicky store in my neighborhood for $18. It’s made well and looks flattering even on days when my “skinny” jeans don’t fit.

It also has a flirty keyhole in the back, so it’s party-ready when I take my jacket off after leaving the arena.

THE BALLET FLAT: Everyone needs at least one good pair of flats. These are not only cute, but perfect for running down several flights of stairs to get to the dressing room after final buzzer.

THE BIG BLACK BAG: Seriously, even the anti-fashion femmes have a good black purse.

And reporters have to carry all sorts of crazy things with them, so I say: The bigger the purse, the better.

I got lucky and snagged this Guess purse at a Buffalo Exchange from the city several years ago. It’s still in great shape, and carries everything from my recorder to my phone charger to my unnecessarily large makeup bag and beyond.

TO AVOID LOOKING LIKE WEDNESDAY ADAMS…: Add some spunky all-black accessories.

Instead of an opague black stocking, contrast your dress and shoes with fun-print tights. (I’m super obsessed with this geo-patterned pair.)

You can even rock black jewelry. I’m a huge fan of this big bow ring and its girly twist on black mesh.

Have more Back In Black outfit ideas? Share them with me @ChelenaGoldman. I would love to hear from you.

Cheers!

The Girl In The Black Tights