There’s no gray.
There’s only black or white.
How often do you find yourself caught in this sort of quandary? A situation wherein there’s really no distinguishing line between what’s right, what’s wrong, and what’s the best most viable option given the circumstances. Or are moral standards truly (and only) in the eye of the beholder? Is there really a way to discern between right and wrong? I don’t know, I don’t know.
THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW
In our eagerness to be tolerant and our understandable anxiety to not judge, today’s society appears governed by a value system in which right and wrong are matters for debate. I’m not saying that’s, well, wrong, but I am asking where do we draw the line between unarguably right and unarguably wrong? Is the line even present? And I dare say it’s something many of us find ourselves entrapped within on a daily basis, albeit in varying degrees of urgency.
Is it better to be irresponsible and right, than to be responsible and wrong?
Was Churchill really onto something here?
Here’s one more little nugget. That (for the most part) right and wrong are (purely) a matter of perception. I could go on, at length, at how certain issues (such as murder) that appear, on the surface, to be clear cut and easily compartmentalised, aren’t. But I shan’t. Not today. Today, it’s all about that perennial deliberation between right and wrong. Between black and white. And whether grey exists.
Is it really only right or wrong? Or varying interpretations of Dos and Don’ts?
WHAT SAY YOU?
On a sartorial level, I’m very pleased to present an extra special collaboration with Jodie and Eve. It’s a 3-part collaboration, a trifecta of ebony meets ivory, debuting today, extending across Monday, the 20th, and Wednesday, the 22nd so stay tuned. Back to our B&W endeavour. I met Jodie when she and her lovely ladies joined Project Sister Act in March. Since then, I’d like to believe we’ve become blog friends 🙂 not only is she the quintessential creative spirit, Jodie is one of the wittiest ladies I’ve been blessed to know on the world wide web, and to me, there’s nothing more attractive (and memorable) than intelligence + a sense of humour. Jodie has that in spades.
For this pilot post, we’ve focused on pairing purely Black with White. I can’t even begin to express how fascinating it is to see how vastly disparate our individual portrayals of this classic (and graphic) palette are. How contrasting our views are of the same two colours. Take a look.
Eve, Teens (the world according to eve)
Call me biased but I love Eve’s style. She’s so cool because she doesn’t try. Not even remotely. And it’s that very nonchalant attitude which makes everything she wears edgy. So damn edgy.
Sheela, 40s (sheela writes)
My look was completely inspired by the unapologetically flamboyant Mick Jagger. He too belongs in the “effortlessly cool” club and I was hoping some of the vibes would rub off on me.
Jodie, 50s (jodie’s touch of style)
I’m a huge fan of Jodie’s outfit. The sleek, almost austere lines, are so architectural and chic, and they stand out beautifully against the in-your-face print of her scarf as well as shoes.
Nancy, 60s (jodie’s touch of style)
Nancy has achieved that perfect equilibrium we all strive for when playing with prints and textures. Both busy in their own right, her top and pants come together ever so harmoniously.
Charlotte, 70s (jodie’s touch of style)
It’s certainly no mean feat to pull off lace upon lace without appearing like curtains or a tablecloth, or worse, Miss Havisham. Clearly, Charlotte’s done just that. What a vision of understated elegance she is.
On Monday, our second part of this collaboration will feature Black with White and a pop of colour. There’ll be an interview too. Be sure to come back and see us then but for now, tell me what you think.
Of the issue of right and wrong.
Of how we chose to wear black with white.
And don’t forget to join the Project Sister Act Link-Up too.
How do you see black and white?
Love, Sheela
p/s my photos by Sofia Touassa
I link up here.
Sheela Writes 
Your pictures are always stunning! I really love to read your posts! Have a great weekend girl! 🙂
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I am seriously dying over this look! I love, love, love it! All of those perfect little dots. 🙂 Not to mention the fierce shoes… I enjoyed seeing everyone’s take on black and white, as well. Happy weekend, Sheela!
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Oh, Sheela—such words you spout forth…and so effortlessly. I truly am in awe of the talent that shows up in text on your sight. It goes beyond the though provoking issues you bring up, but just the poetry. I think i appreciate it so much because as a biology person—words are only used as a means to an end—not refection and contemplation!!
As for being humorous—there are many that don’t “get” my humor–or don’t appreciate smart assedness (or making up words for that manner)—so it’s nice to hear you think I’m witty!! Of course i’ve heard many other adjectives applied to me—say like crazy or bonkers, but we won’t go there today!
As for your outfit—you are “spot on”—sorry, i couldn’t help it!!
I can see I’m going to have to get me some cool glasses—I’d forgotten what a great accessory they can be!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
ps..And can I say, how nice it is to hear you gush on your daughter—I’m not sure at that age, my mom & I were quite there!! (the apron strings had to be broken at some time, I guess)
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Thank you for linking up on Fancy Friday!
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Ah, Sheela, once again you have my philosophical juices flowing…black and white, you ask? From a sartorial perspective, there certainly can be black and white with no gray unless you want gray. That is all subjective choices, of course, and what is aesthetically appealing to you. Of course, I love to add a pop of bright into all of my black and white. From an ethical or moral perspective, I think there is never black and white without gray. Ever. While our moral belief systems may dictate to us personally that something is as easy as black and white, there will always be someone who can advocate for the opposite of our own truths. So gray will always exist in ethics, in my opinion. So aesthetically or ethically, bring on the gray! Sartorially, enjoy your black and white! It may be the only place in our existence where the gray can be definitively avoided!
By the way, you all look fabulous in your black and white ensembles! I love mixed up polka dots and texture mixing and the clean and classic look that black and white provides! Well done!
Thanks for hosting the link up! And please stop by and join my new weekly link up as well…On the Edge of the Week!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
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I don’t think I’ve ever seen you wear an outfit I didn’t love, and this is no exception. I love the monochrome pattern mixing, and as usual, your shoes have me swooning. I look forward to the next instalments in your collab! xx
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fabulous collaboration and so much to ponder. I think that the struggle with right and wrong is seeing them as opposites instead of a variation. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.
Rena
http://finewhateverblog.com
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I love black and white outfits, and I really like the five very different interpretations! Such a fun project!
Your outfit is very cool – I love the polka dots on polka dots on polka dots.
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
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Your skill with pattern play and play on words has no equal! Love those polka dots on you!
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Love black and white, and those shoes are uber fab!
As always a great read! Thanks for linking up to #UntamedStyle
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Sheela, thanks so much for joining my On the Edge of the Week Link up! I look forward to seeing what you will link up next week!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
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Your writing is so refreshing and it’s also good to see a fashion blog that has a good writing post instead of ‘here’s my outfit tadaaa’. Loving this post because it proves that being fashionable has zero age boundaries.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
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I’d love to comment on what you wrote, but I fear I’d end up writing a novel. So I will pass. You sure brought up a lot of interesting points and questions though! Love your photos and pictures as always. You are so creative!
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What a fun collaboration! Love how you elevated the black and white look with the pattern mixing and those amazing booties!
Jill
Doused In Pink
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I love black and white and how it can look so different depending on the pattern. Great looks here!
Thank you for being a part of TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you soon!
Alice
http://www.happinessatmidlife.com
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Definitely no gray areas in regard to fashion…you all look absolutely stellar! I totally concur with your take on Jodie; she’s one of my favorites. And I also agree that your daughter has that effortless cool thing nailed. I’m pretty sure she could make a burlap sack look edgy and fabulous.In regard to life in general…so very many gray areas in most situations. But, at least in my mind, there are also situations where there is no shade of similarity between black and white. Right is simply right and wrong is simply wrong. There aren’t a lot of situations where this applies, but I’m pretty hardcore about the situations where I feel it does. And on occasion, my mouth does tend to get me in trouble in defense of said situations. 🙂
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
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I always love reading your posts Sheela and I love this take on black and white. I had to come back to start ready the trilogy from the beginning before commenting on the new posts lol.
http://www.stylediarybyosy.com/
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Gorgeous backdrop !
and I think you wore those polka dot on polka dot so well.
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