Black makes you look slim, elegant and in some situations gothic (and thereby gross), but in most cases, cosmopolitan, and unless you’re wearing leggings, I’ll repeat: slim.

When it comes to your nails, black’s fat-factor doesn’t come into play. But all of the others – cosmopolitan, elegant, questionably gothic – are important considerations. Now that Angelina doesn’t wear Billy Bob’s blood around her neck and she’s posing for the cover of Vogue, black has gone into gothic remission. So I beg of you, please try out some dark nail polish.

Of course, black nails are not new. Back when varnish was invented in Ancient China, black was reserved for royalty. Since then, Chanel’s “Vamp” was a popular shade throughout the mid-’90s and America’s own royalty (Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie) were rocking the dark nails when the French house noticed and created another black this summer.

Retailing for $18, Chanel’s “Black Satin” is one of the cheapest sartorial must-haves that requires a waiting list. It’s no Birkin Bag (the iconic Herm