I feel like I have so many reasons to love Facebook that I can’t really explain it in a succinct way.

But just a few reasons: it’s incredibly immediate and efficient, it brings people together, it gives us the opportunity to communicate in less formal ways than email or phone, and it connects people from very different walks of life.

Case in point: the random fashion conversation that emerged on my “Wall” in the past 48 hours. Read below and enjoy.

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My status update:
“Daniel Buchanan thinks it’s okay to wear brown and black together.”

Dennis Arrowsmith:
black and brown make me frown!
but really it’s just point of hue… hahahaha… haha… get it? *sigh*

Jay Bhowmick:
You will need a show that has both black and brown to justify this outrage Black and blue looks excellent!
Are you being served?

MaryBeth Smith:
We still on for breakfast tomorrow?
Please don’t wear black and brown. . . heehe

Jill Anna Ponasik:
Yes, I think brown and black are OK, but pink and red are even better.

Amy Lovell Travis:
Brown and black… together?! Well, it depends. If it’s all clothing, ok. If it’s brown leather accessories with a black ensamble or vice-versa, you’re getting into “pet peeve” territory for me…

Adam Harding:
It is not ok to wear brown and black together….dont lie to the people. And change your profile picture!! I think its a requirement that you change it once a YEAR!

Matthew S. Smith:
I, for one, enjoy black and brown together. Like what I’m wearing right now. Yay!

Marty Merritt:
Black and brown is cool provided it looks deliberate, like a brown tweed coat or tan silk jacket with black slacks. Amy is right about the accessories, though. Black pants require black shoes and belt, brown or khaki pants require brown shoes and belt. And a black polo with tan khakis looks SO 1990’s. Please don’t do that.

Florence Morris:
What do people think about navy blue and black? I think we need to have a discussion about that too.

Marty Merritt:
Navy blue and black is trickier. It has to contrast enough so it doesn’t look like you got dressed in the dark. One way to bring up the contrast is to use significantly different textures, such as raw silk and worsted wool, in your two large dark items. Probably the most successful combination is a medium navy blazer with black slacks.

My status update:
“Daniel Buchanan now wonders about wearing blue and black together. Join the conversation on my wall.”

Daniel Buchanan:
Marty - what do you think about Ellen’s Blue/Black combo in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=co9v9fz21XU

Shauna Niequist:
I am currently wearing navy and black. It’s a first for me, and I feel kind of rebellious and tricky, kind of above the law. I also rarely leave my house, so, you know, no real danger of seeing anyone I know.

Meagan Jeske:
Navy blue and black - no, never. Brown and black sometimes, if you don’t make a habit of it (and it’s better if you have accessories that combine them, like tortoiseshell glasses) to make it look intentional.

Adam P. Newton:
I concur with Meagan. Navy blue and black is a big No. Royal blue & black is more than permissible, while navy blue and gray can make for an excellent combination.
On the topic of black & brown, well, I’m not a fan of that. Even with the right accessories, it can be overwhelming and simply not flattering

Keith Weber:
Absolutely not. It’s one of the immutable rules of fashion - like
No linen, or white before Memorial Day or after Labor Day…

Courtney Humphries:
I’m with Meagan, Adam and Keith.
Never.
my fiance has to wear a navy blue suit with a black belt and shoes for a wedding he’s in. It makes me a little cringey.

Marty Merritt:
Keith is right about linen and white, although many Texans will shade it to Easter instead of Memorial Day. The rule also applies to seersucker, light-colored suede shoes, white shoes, madras, and straw Panama hats, sorta. Another couple of obscure rules dealing with shirts are: no buttondowns in the evening and no wing collars with black tie. Wing collars are only worn with white tie and tails. The buttondown rule is relaxed if the shirt is worn without a tie for casual socializing. Buttondown shirts are never worn with a suit for evening activities.

Marty Merritt:
Courtney,
Black belt and shoes are appropriate with a navy blue suit. In fact, black belt and shoes are worn with all black, gray, and blue pants. Brown or cordovan belts and shoes are worn with brown, tan, olive, or cream-colored pants. Additionally, if white pants are seasonally permissible, brown or cordovan shoes (never black) are worn with them, too. But I reiterate: navy and black are OK together as long as it is _obvious_ that the items are not “trying” to be the same color.

Marty Merritt:
PS — can’t you tell from my profile picture that I am a fashion expert?

Adam P. Newton:
Thanks to Dan for hosting this GREAT fashion conversation today!

Lauran Kerr:
So if I wear navy blue, three different shades of brown, AND black, am I a fashion train wreck or a fashion GENIUS?

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Funny, huh? What’s also crazy is how this conversation got people talking to one another who come from very different circles of my life! Love it.