I cheated with Tivo, so I didn’t get the full, gale-force effect of watching Oprah in real time yesterday. Still, I rode the emotional rollercoaster in much the same way as all you devoted mama-watchers: I laughed, I cried, I got really mad at Don Johnson for plugging his new movie on our lady’s watch, and I positively marveled – MARVELED – at all the acid-bright clothing in the audience.

I know that wasn’t an accident.

Nothing is an accident on Oprah.

When you’ve lived in New York as long as I have (since my days as a 19-year-old struggling fashion student), you amass Kilimanjaro-level mountains of black. Let’s put it this way: I’m not even working in an office anymore and I have 14 black dresses in my closet right now. That’s on top of all the black tops, sweaters, pants and jackets. And I consider my wardrobe edited, and whittled down to the stuff I actually wear…

But seeing all those brightly clad broads yesterday got me thinking that I want to infuse my wardrobe with a lot more color. J’adore purple, big-time, so that’s an option. Hot pink is fun too. But since I love “cool” colors as opposed to “warm,” yellow doesn’t do it for me (although it’s been super-hip and fashion-y for a few seasons now). Ditto green. And orange, though I must say Madame Winfrey looked pretty darn great in her festive pumpkin skirt yesterday….

Black is functional, and slimming. Yay black! But it can also suck the life right out of your face, which is why women of a certain age (including yours truly) are advised to wear it only well south of the neck. Preferably, south of the belly button.

Back in the Eighties, there was this book called Color Me Beautiful that was all the rage. I never read it, but I had a boyfriend whose (dropdead gorgeous) mom was like the Color Me Beautiful equivalent of an Avon Lady, and lugged around a big tote bag full of vibrant fabric swatches that she would drape around your shoulders, lobster-bib style, to see which flattered your mug or not. From there, you were (theoretically) able to make the absolute best choices about fashion and makeup.

I might just order a copy of that creaky old tome. After I get dressed. Not in black.