The color black has always been a staple in the fashion industry and the foundation of a majority of the wardrobes in the world.

However, in particular one need only to look at the cultural revolutions of the music industry and the influence it has had on the impressionable young people that idolize the artists. This in turns formalizes their sense of style which stays with them throughout their lives.
Starting in the 1950′s with the thrust of rock n roll music to the growing middle class and continuing through the 1960′s, 70′s, 80′s etc… From Johnny Cash to the Ramones to the Beatles. From Led Zepplin to Alice Cooper to Bauhaus, black has been a common denominator in all of the cultural scenes, from Punk to Death Metal, from shock rock to hair metal, from country to Gothic and chic to sub-culture. Black is everywhere.

If you have any black items in your wardrobe, you have the same problems as everyone else. How do I keep my black clothes black?

There are simple steps to prevent the pre-mature fading of your black clothes and many of the ideas are very easy to practice.

Here are what I believe are the keys to keeping your black clothes as black as possible. But remember, all black clothes will eventually fade, it is inevitable. Just be sensible about it, and retire a piece when necessary.
So without further ado, there are the keys to keeping black clothes black.

1. Always wash black clothes in cold water. Hot and even warm water will degrade the fibers of the clothing faster than cold water which in turn will accelerate fading. Fading is always caused by deterioration of the clothing fibers, which inhibits the fibers ability to contain the dye.

2. Always use a mild detergent, preferably a detergent specifically designed for black clothes. (For example Woollite Extra Dark Care). If you have a particularly delicate black item, think about hand washing it in cold water and Borax.

3. Never put black clothes in the dryer. The tumbling action and the heat of the dryer, even in cool mode, will accelerate the degradation of the clothing fibers, and you know what causes fading from item 1.  Always hang dry your black clothes.

4. In support of item 3, never hang dry your black clothes in direct sunlight. The UV radiation in sunlight will attack the fibers of the clothing and you know what happen when the fibers in any clothing degrades (this will be a repeating theme when talking about loss of dye)

5. Only wash your black clothes when absolutely necessary. If you wear a pair of black pants out to dinner and take them off a couple of hours later and you haven’t profusely sweat in them, hang them up in your closet instead of throwing them in the laundry. The fewer times you wash your black clothes the less the fibers are degraded and of course you know what happens when clothing fibers get degraded.

6. Avoid kneeling or working on your knees while wearing black pants. The physical abrasions that occur damage the fabric in the knees of the pants, causing acceleration in fading in the knees.

7. When you finally do put your black clothes in the washer, it has to happen sooner or later, turn your clothes inside out to minimize and abrasion that occurs from the clothes rubbing against one another.

8. Avoid spraying perfumes/cologne on your black clothes. Spray on your skin instead. The harsh chemicals and alcohols from the scents will attack the fibers in your clothing and can actually cause spot staining.

9. Always read the care labels on all your clothing, there are very helpful tips and instructions from people that have a great deal of experience in the clothing industry. Typically, follow the directions on the care label, unless common sense tells you that another way will be less stressful on the clothing fibers.

10. If it is within your budgetary constraints, consider dry cleaning all your black clothing. It will extend the life of your clothes considerably.

11. Never use powdered detergents; they do not dissolve quickly enough to eliminate the chance of undue abrasion on the fabrics. Also, they can leave streaky residue on your clothing.

12. This should be obvious, never use any bleach, detergents with bleach in them or detergents with bleach alternatives. Also, check the ingredients for Titanium dioxide and avoid this as much as bleach.

13. Avoid using liquid fabric softeners. They contain ingredients that can discolor black fibers.

So, as you can see there are many ways you can extend the life of your black clothing. Most of them are very easily implemented into your regular laundry cycle. Also, these precautions can ease your laundry loads if you have a large percentage of black clothing.

Be sensible and cautious and you will be able to enjoy your black clothing for a considerable longer time then if you just throw them in with everything else.

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Gothic style has featured strongly throughout history and prior to their being a fashion style for so called “goths”, buildings, literature and art were referred to as being “gothic”. The original goths were a Germanic tribe that were recorded as having a major part in the fall of the Roman Empire. At the time, Europe’s style was classical and after the fall of Rome, during the Renaissance period, new styles appeared that were unusual and subsequently were referred to as “gothic”.

Gothic sub-culture has always been associated with darkness, mystery and the supernatural as well as the Roman Catholic church. In decades following the Renaissance, a nostaligic wave swept over Europe and the facination with gothic ruins and this alternative lifestyle started to create a following.

Literature and films have developed over history, typically set in a castle or dark ruin and usually featuring an appearance from vampires, mysterious beasts and femme fatales.

Gothic fashion

Romantic style gothic clothing

Gothic culture and fashion is considered to ultimately be about expressing one’s self and being able to be creative, imaginative and unique in appearance and personaility.

Typically, gothic dress consists of mainly black clothes often with black dyed hair, black painted nails and heavy black eyeliner as part of the makeup. Clothes may include tight fitting trousers, long black coats or gowns, gothic style dresses, PVC corsets, chokers, black buckled shoes or boots, piercings and silver or pewter jewwllery. As gothic culture has a strong connection to the Catholic church, crucifixes often feature.

A gothic outfit is often put together mixing items of various different fabrics such as PVC Clothes, latex, leather, fishnet and sometimes fake fur.

This sterotypical gothic look is often referred to as the “romantic goth.

Lolita style gothic clothing

A style called lolita goth” is a similar look to the “romantic goth” and it originated in Japan. Many “lolita” styles borrow ideas from Medieval, Victorian and Elizabethan period dress, such as ruffled high neck shirts, items trimmed wih lace or ribbons and outfits are often both black and white. Accessories such as parasols, lace headresses or top hats accompany the outfit.

Cyber style gothic clothing

More recently, an array of bright colours have been added to the tradional black and people following this new look have called themselves “cyber-goths”. This is gothic fashion moving to a new level as black items are now being combined with neon, wild colourful hair extensions, bright makeup and futuristic accessories such as googles.

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PVC is one of the most popular fabrics used in gothic fashion. It’s shiny surface offers a contrast to other fabrics like velvet or even just cotton. It is cheaper to buy than leather and latex but has a very similar finish and overall look and feel. Items such as PVC corsets are typical of a gothic outfit, as they are erotic and sexual, which is often represented in the style of gothic fashion. Long black PVC coats and dark thigh high or knee high PVC boots are often used to finish off the gothic look.

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Where did Gothic Fashion Originate?

Gothic style has featured strongly throughout history and prior to their being a fashion style for so called “goths”, buildings, literature and art were referred to as being “gothic”. The original goths were a Germanic tribe that were recorded as having a major part in the fall of the Roman Empire. At the time, Europe’s style was classical and after the fall of Rome, during the Renaissance period, new styles appeared that were unusual and subsequently were referred to as “gothic”.

Gothic sub-culture has always been associated with darkness, mystery and the supernatural as well as the Roman Catholic church. In decades following the Renaissance, a nostaligic wave swept over Europe and the facination with gothic ruins and this alternative lifestyle started to create a following.

Literature and films have developed over history, typically set in a castle or dark ruin and usually featuring an appearance from vampires, mysterious beasts and femme fatales.

Gothic fashion

Romantic style gothic clothing

Gothic culture and fashion is considered to ultimately be about expressing one’s self and being able to be creative, imaginative and unique in appearance and personaility.

Typically, gothic dress consists of mainly black clothes often with black dyed hair, black painted nails and heavy black eyeliner as part of the makeup. Clothes may include tight fitting trousers, long black coats or gowns, gothic style dresses, PVC corsets, chokers, black buckled shoes or boots, piercings and silver or pewter jewwllery. As gothic culture has a strong connection to the Catholic church, crucifixes often feature.

A gothic outfit is often put together mixing items of various different fabrics such as PVC Clothes, latex, leather, fishnet and sometimes fake fur.

This sterotypical gothic look is often referred to as the “romantic goth.

Lolita style gothic clothing

A style called lolita goth” is a similar look to the “romantic goth” and it originated in Japan. Many “lolita” styles borrow ideas from Medieval, Victorian and Elizabethan period dress, such as ruffled high neck shirts, items trimmed wih lace or ribbons and outfits are often both black and white. Accessories such as parasols, lace headresses or top hats accompany the outfit.

Cyber style gothic clothing

More recently, an array of bright colours have been added to the tradional black and people following this new look have called themselves “cyber-goths”. This is gothic fashion moving to a new level as black items are now being combined with neon, wild colourful hair extensions, bright makeup and futuristic accessories such as googles.

PVC Clothes and the gothic look

PVC is one of the most popular fabrics used in gothic fashion. It’s shiny surface offers a contrast to other fabrics like velvet or even just cotton. It is cheaper to buy than leather and latex but has a very similar finish and overall look and feel. Items such as PVC corsets are typical of a gothic outfit, as they are erotic and sexual, which is often represented in the style of gothic fashion. Long black PVC coats and dark thigh high or knee high PVC boots are often used to finish off the gothic look.