Are your updates more " It- color driven or silhouette - driven, or both, or other? - YouLookFab Forum

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Are your updates more " It- color driven or silhouette - driven, or both, or other?

unfrumped

Veteran

I will often read that easy updates are to add something in one of the newest ( typically Pantone) colors and that colors date you. Simple with scarves or bags or other accessories.
I find this attractive IN THEORY, but my brain does not work this way. First I forget to pay attention. Then it can take long time for colors to get to items I might even want. I don't like to compromise " face colors" so the not- my- colors would have to be in accessories or prints. Then, honestly, I don't think I'm sensitive enough to dated colors, if I like them. As Angie posted, " your" colors are always in style.
I am more sensitive to silhouette, but then still have to stay confident that some are not for me. For example, I've had to be very selective, and have made mistakes, with the ankle/ cropped pant craze, while at the same time wondering if doing less of it " dates" me, or if my annual or biannual update with the occasional modern pleats of wider legs end up as a double- head- fake style because it's not mainstream, and some may think I'm still wearing my ' 80's wardrobe !

Over to you- do you focus intention on adding current colors or shapes or
what?

28 replies

Latest reply was from

LaPed

Veteran

I don't jump on the trendy color bandwagon unless it's a color that makes me happy and suits my complexion and the rest of my wardrobe. I was pretty happy when burgundy (or "marsala" or whatever it was called this time around) saturated the market, because it's one of my favorite winter colors when I can find versions that aren't too muddy/muted/brown. Last year's blue/pink pastel duo didn't make its way into my wardrobe, and I haven't seen much of those colors in local shops or on the street.

I'm always willing to play with new silhouettes and see if I can make them work, but it can be frustrating and time-consuming to find items that work when the style isn't yet widespread. For instance, I haven't found "my" cropped wide leg pants yet, but I'd like to.

Anonymous

Shapes and silhouettes catch my eye and interest first. And then if the colour is right, great. Trendy colour is never first for me - I don't find the longevity is there.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

What LP said. I don't care much whether a color is trendy or not -- I won't wear a color just because it's trendy, and I won't stop wearing a color I love when it falls out of trend.

I do not agree that colors "date you" if you're wearing beloved flattering colors and if your overall look is current.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I don't care if a colour is trendy. Unless it's a great colour for me. My updates are, first:

Footwear. Nothing updates an outfit more easily.

Silhouette. I may not jump on every trend but if it promises to flatter and it will work in my climate, it's likely I will want to try it. So I'll aim to get all the supporting pieces in place for it as well.

I don't think colours will date you. Some patterns can seem dated at times, perhaps, or in the wrong context they can.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

COLOUR attracts me to an item first - and then I look at the silhouette, fabric, etc. That's why I bypass lots of designer wear - I'm not easily excited by black and shades of grey wardrobe items.

To answer your question though, I am not swayed by which colours are trendy in a given retail season. I am energized by the colours that make me happy. Our colours are ALWAYS in style.

JAileen

Veteran

I'm attracted by color too. If it's trendy then it means I might find a lot of it! For example olive. The rest has to be right for me to want it.

DonnaF

Veteran

I'm still waiting for "radiant orchid" to hit Petite sizes. Love that color! IMHO, prints date more, but of course their colors have bearing in addition to pattern. Jewelry can also date, including necklace length, size, etc.

If the *current* color is a favorite that doesn't come around too often, I think I would be more apt to buy than abstain.

Anonymous

Hi Unfrumped. I commented earlier, but the comment seems to have gotten lost. The abbreviated answer is color first, silhouette second.

kerry

Veteran

I love certain colours and some of those colours love me. If it's a flattering and well-loved colour I'll use it's trendiness to stock up (ex. blush). If it's a trendy colour that I love but doesn't love me back (ex. wine), I'll buy it in items away from my face - bottoms, bags. I will not buy a colour just because it's trendy - I'm picky about the colours I like. I'll only jump on a silhouette trend if I find it flattering (JFE will do). Often it will take some experimenting and eye adjustment to decide a trendy silhouette is JFE. Having adopted the silhouette, I won't ditch it just because it's not trendy anymore.

I do find I have to find a balance between stocking up on a colour or silhouette that's trendy for fear I won't be able to find it next season (or whenever current items wear out) and not overbuying because I may just get sick of it.

rachylou

Veteran

Haha. I'm still waiting for radiant orchid too. I do like to play a bit with the It colour of the year, but just in one or two items. Otherwise, really I just wear my same silhouette and colors to death.

shedev

Veteran

In tops, toppers, and shoes, silhouette. These are mostly my statement items. In jeans, color. Mostly, a skinny silhouette is handy for tucking in to my assortment of stompy boots.
Pantone really has not been hitting it out of the park for me. The last color I liked was the lilac grey. I have it in nail polish.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I go by the colors I like, not by the trends. If I like a color that trends, I'm happy to fill out my wardrobe. And sometimes I'll add a color that I like but wasn't in my wardrobe.

It takes a very long time for my eye to adjust to new silhouettes.

If it's not flattering on me I'm not buying it. And if it's not fairly comfortable, I'm not buying it.

I care more about my clothing being right for me than looking like I'm up to date. I'm thrilled when it all works together.

em

My favorite silhouette is an hourglass, which complements my hourglass figure to perfection. And, "my" colors are always in style. So...I guess I never get updated.

:: runs to look in closet ::

Yep...I am not, and never have been, "on trend."

Anonymous

Yes, for me it's silhouettes, but also details.
So my snakeskin boots are an update because of the block heel (silhouette) and the detail (snakeskin print).

Other examples of details (maybe some of these are silhouette updates, I'm not sure):
- a large watch face
- creeper earrings
- inward facing zippers on ski jackets
- pompoms on knitted tuques
- gold or rose gold jewelry
- new washes on jeans

Joy

Veteran

If I am replacing something, I usually want it in the same color but an updated shape or detailing. Often that means length and fit. My shorter, more tailored fits are looking dated. I would look for longer, a bit more relaxed fits.
A change of color can refresh a season but is more work to be sure that the new color will incorporate with what I have. Most recently this has been burgundy, but I will want lighter/brighter colors for spring/summer. I hope the Pantone greenery color will be available.
As Suz said, the best and easiest update is footwear. It can give an old favorite outfit a new look.

Bennett

Veteran

Silhouette, always first. If the silhouette is interesting and right for me, the color is negotiable up to a point. I wouldn't buy a good silhouette in a personally unflattering color, I mean complexionally (new word? for me, anyway!) unflattering. And I don't recall ever shopping, even for an accessory, because I thought I needed a color-of-the-moment.

Good food for more thought, unfrumped!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Definitely silhouette over color in terms of updating or being interested in trends. Colors hardly ever relate to date in my mind, except very occasionally with a vintage print. I think color mixes, rather than single colors, are more apt to date (not that I don't like wearing some vintage prints).

Runcarla

Veteran

Colour is usually the big draw. I am interested in colour trends and the Panetone stuff, but do not feel compelled to follow. I'm more enthusiastic when my favourite colours come to the fore - there is a better chance I might see them in the stores.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'd say both, along with @smittie's details. I'm working with a much smaller closet these days so I'm very careful about which fashion "risks" are worth the closet space. My biggest filter is my personal style filter. Downsizing made my personal style much clearer in my mind so a new color in an accessory, a more modern shoe, or an updated detail on a replacement item are safer bets then heading out into a totally new direction. The best updates are those looks I instantly recognize as totally MY style; the dubious ones are looks I like on others or try to justify because they populate seasonal "must have" lists.

unfrumped

Veteran

What Bennett and Shevia said.
I mentioned The color thing because it's often in advice columns as easy, inexpensive. But I don't feel the love to go out and get a trendy color.

I DO think I could pay more attention to new- to/ me or even trending combinations with my own colors. Angie had shown some really fun, fresh combo's. Then one can aim to control face colors vs elsewhere colors.

Gigi

Veteran

I don't pay much attention to the color of the moment, unless I like it. If I know that it's one of my favorites, I'll buy a few pieces to make sure that I have something for the future. If I like it but have a suspicion that my like is only temporary, I'll buy only one item, not too expensive.

In general, if I want to update my closet, I turn to silhouette changes. I find that those give me the most happiness. This may partially be because I in general enjoy neutrals, with only a few nonneutral colors in my wardrobe. So it makes sense that I will not be drawn as much to color as some others.

Style Fan

Veteran

My colour palette has always been earth tones. I went through a period of wearing black in the 90s but that was unusual. I can usually find olive green in the retail market. Brown is more difficult.
I don't buy colours that are trendy if they don't flatter me. I won't wear them. And I have strong feelings about certain colours.
I look for silhouettes that work for my body type. I never jumped on the oversized train. I liked it on others. Not me.
I keep my footwear as up to date as possible given my difficulties in that area. I have a long list of problems but I try to keep my feet looking hip.

Summer

Veteran

It's always colour first for me. If a "new" colour pops up that blends with my cool palette I will buy into it, but I never buy just because it happens to be trending. I like Angie's comment above, " Our colours are ALWAYS in style"

New silhouettes only appeal if I truly like them and they work for my body.

cindysmith

Veteran

I am definitely not color driven, unless dirt counts as a color, because I try to buy most of my clothes in colors that won't show stains (browns, tans, greys, etc). I don't even know that I'm driven by silhouette, since I seem to repeat the same silhouette over and over again, with little variation.

Sometimes I might look dated because I'm not wearing the latest color or silhouette, and I think I've quit caring. I'm much happier when I just wear what I like, and reading this has definitely helped me get in a mindset to do a brutal purge and organization of my closet. It needs it so very badly.

Thank you for getting me thinking, for getting me motivated.

El Cee

Veteran

I am decidedly more silhouette driven in my purchases. I am like LisaP in that shapes and silhouettes are what first catch my eye. Color is important, but secondary to silhouette.

DonnaF

Veteran

Hmmm. I think I make wardrobe *additions* vs. *updates*. I DO read what Angie writes and think about what appeals to me, so in the past year I bought a saddle bag and a bucket bag, both of which are apparently trending. But I don't really think about being on trend or current when I make my purchases.

As to color? After a few years of trying to inject a bit of color into my wardrobe, I am starting to conclude that I am most comfortable wearing and mixing neutrals of varying textures. Black'n'white and textured gray both draw me like a moth to flame.

I something is the right (lack of) color, I am next drawn to the (structured) shape/silhouette. If I don't like the cut, I won't buy it. I went for about a decade without buying pants/jeans, because I perceived them all to be low rise which does me no favors because they slide down and emphasize my long torso, short legs, and heavy thighs. For that decade I also didn't buy tops because I perceived them all to be empire which tend to cut too high on my full bust. This was all before online shopping, so my perceptions probably didn't match the full selection available, but gee, I saved a lot of money!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I add pieces that speak to me. Sometimes, its a current color. This will usually be a color already in my palette that is enjoying a popular moment. Sometimes it is a new shape or style that fits in with my overall look. I try not to overthink it.

Anonymous

For me, color absolutely comes first. If the color doesn't flatter me, the style doesn't matter.