Vanta-Who? Off-Black is the New Black
To the supposed dismay of Brenda Hashtag and consorts, Anna Wintour once famously advised against wearing an all-black get-up. In fact, the latter is somewhat avoidant of black altogether. Why that is, exactly, remains Vague, all we know though is that we do things a little differently here in Berghain city – and so, evidently, do designers.
Where there once may have been an obsession with the purest, deepest pigment of black, we seem to be more appreciative today of its lighter, washed-out nuances. "Aaah, we fade to grey" is the mantra, with denims and sweats that look like they would've, at another point, been re-dyed or thrown out, now tended to again.
There's is surely something profoundly psychologic about how we find comfort in clothes that look like they've endured years worth of wear. Perhaps there's even a correlation between the rise of second hand's (not uncontroversial) popularity and the current prominence of clothes that look older than they are? Hmm.
For now, we'll skip past further inquisitions into the matter, and'll instead let this list of lived-in-looking Browns Fashion picks make its case for why one ought to lay off the dark-color-restoring laundry detergent.
LUEDER Hoodie
LUEDER's sweats always impress with their variations in texture and tailoring – even hardware, in this case – really amping up the volume on the fashion-forwardness of a beloved comfort staple.
Y/Project Logo Sweatshirt
For a Glenn Martens design, this organic cotton pullover is fairly simplistic – though not lacking Y/Project's signature knack for left-of-center modifications, with a subtle but delightful pleat-detail in front.
HELIOT EMIL Black Semi-Sheer Sweater
With its transparent quasi-cutouts, this dusky knitwear allows its wearer to reveal skin or textile layers beneath, and play with color, dimension, or intrigue. A versatile piece to style up or down, for every which intention.
Off-White Bacchus Skate T-Shirt
Off-White? More like Off-Black (yes, using this again). With its thrifty allure, comfy fit and flaky print, this T's appearance here is pretty self explanatory.
AV Vattev Embroidered T-Shirt
Thanks to its drawstring fastening, the shape of this cloudy T will bend at your will. Its stitching detail further differentiates it from category peers.
OUR LEGACY Third Cut Jeans
There's no point in even discussing weathered shades of black unless we talk about denim. OUR LEGACY's loose fitting jeans are to dye for – or rather not, actually.
Nahmias Wide-Leg Jeans
Not dissimilar in silhouette to the above, this pair takes it up a notch, with 3D logo graphics that protrude from the leg for extra drama.
Feng Chen Wang Asymmetric Wide-Leg Jeans
Is the aforementioned still not dramatic enough? May we suggest this Chromecore-ish jean instead?
Gucci Black Denim Wallet
Too much? Go for this bi-fold card holder by Gucci for a more low key adaptation of the titular trend.
Givenchy XL Voyou Shoulder Bag
Lastly, symptomatic of the big bag craze, Givenchy's will be the off-black (all good things come in threes) hole to swallow and store all your commute and leisure necessities.
