Back in March, I heard Miuccia Prada, for whom it is hard not to have a high regard, talk about how it was the right time for women to start wearing black again (funnily enough, it was just after her show, which was jammed with the stuff). I thought, “Yeah, right.” Then I listened a bit more, because she nearly always is right, and then I examined her collection a bit more, because it was stunning, albeit rather stark and austere. Then I thought, “Please God, let this not be happening.”

How can black be back? In some circles – architects, barristers and the editorial team on French Vogue – it has never, ever gone away. And is there anything worse in fashion than a trend that overlaps with itself, so that the casual observer can’t tell whether the person opposite them is coolly daring and cutting-edge, or a lame loser who never got round to shopping for colour?

Leaving aside these burning aperçus, let us concentrate on the matter in hand: black, and getting it back into our wardrobes. Because you can roll your eyes and rustle your multicoloured boho layers all you want, but we both know that in six months’ time, you will be wanting some monochromatic discipline back in your life.

We know the bad things about black – it’s ageing, boring and, contrary to what we all thought in the Nineties, only suits about 10 per cent of the population. But in preparation for the inevitable, I have spent the past few months thinking of its good points (and I promise not to mention that it’s slimming, because frankly, if you’re wearing drainpipes, it’s going to take more than black to see you through). Anyway, its virtues are as follows:

It certainly shows off this coming winter’s new shapes – voluminous A-line skirts and tops, puffballs and their inverse, wasp-waisted jackets and pencil skirts – to maximum advantage.

It’s an excellent foil for all the big jewels that will still be playing a starring role in your wardrobe for the foreseeable future. Big, globular pearls or diamonds against black are a no-brainer.

It makes sense of that almost forgotten maxim, less is more. You don’t need 20 pairs of black trousers. Maybe it’s time to give the multi-buys from Primark a rest and start buying quality again.

It looks very chic with a tan, whereas some other colours can look tacky.

We’ve learnt our lesson from the last time black ruled. No one’s going to subsist entirely on a black diet... are they?

“The thing about black,” says Rebecca Haynes, personal shopping manager at Harvey Nichols, “is that for many, it’s still the colour that makes them feel smartest and most pulled-together. A lot of women who wear colour on holiday or weekends still like to wear it for work or in the city. You can temper it with a bit of white – a jewelled collar or a cuff. And play with texture. A black velvet jacket can have a very softening effect. And what’s more fabulous than a really well-cut pair of black trousers? You may need to rethink your make-up and go for a stronger lip colour.”

So there you have it: approach with caution, and without the blind devotion of yesteryear. Not all trends are made to be followed, but some have a pernicious way of taking over. Still, there’s always navy blue.

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