Does anyone feel sorry for the colour black?

One day fashion writers across the world are applauding it for being a classic, a wardrobe staple, a style essential.

The next, they're declaring any colour in the rainbow (and a few more hangers-on in between) as its successor.

Rarely does a fashion season go by when a headline doesn't scream from the pages of a magazine or newspaper: "Chocolate is the new black".

Substitute just about any colour for chocolate and you'll get a picture of how poorly black is treated.

In recent times, we've lived through “green is the new black”, “grey is the new black” and “white is the new black”.

This season, watch out: silver is the new black – or is it yellow? Or red? Or sapphire blue?

(A warning here to those convinced of yellow's new-black status. Only attempt this if you're a) game; b) have Megan Gale's skin tone; c) a great relationship with a fake-tanning salon; or d) all of the above).

But I digress.

My consternation about this season's new black candidate came to a head last weekend.

I hadn't taken a walk through Myer's fashion department in the longest time (oh, about two weeks) but last Friday I had hired Master Two one of the red cars from the customer service desk at Sunshine Plaza and stopped to buy him a cup of bribes – read, Tutti Frutti popcorn from Kernels – before bravely pushing him into the store's ground level.

Lemon yellows waved at me from Urbane; a red with distinctly orange undertones had me captivated at Country Road; and Wayne Cooper's diffusion label had me reaching for my sunnies when I spied a silver bat-wing dress.

Colour, colour and more colour – each and every one seemingly competing for this season's "new black" title.

In fact I was a little overwhelmed. So many beautiful colours, so many potential candidates for one-season wardrobe wonders.

Then I spotted the perfect new-season fashion building block.

She was sitting there on the "take another 50% off rack" (don't you just love how Myer does this?) – a Decjuba, fully lined, viscose, knee-length skirt.

It might have been from the winter range but it's perfect for work, worn with a fitted coloured knit during the warmer months ahead or dressed up with a silver cami for a night-time function.

It had style, it had detailing, it fitted perfectly and was now a fraction of its original price.

It was mine and, oh, you guessed it ... it was black!