Cardigan color dilemma. 3 solid colors in an outfit? - YouLookFab Forum

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Cardigan color dilemma. 3 solid colors in an outfit?

Peri

Veteran

Okay, I can't seem to get off the cardigan obsession! It is the first upgrade wish I've identified for Fall...sorry for so many cardigan posts!

I found a medium grey cardigan that is really beautiful...soft, great style, cashmere blend, price ($125) is fine, but high enough that I need to be sure it will be useful.

The issue is that my neutral is black. I do want to find grey trousers, but at this time all mine are black. So...to me, black trouser, any color top, and black cardigan makes an outfit. Jewelry or scarf and done.

Would black trouser, any color top, and grey cardigan look disjointed? Would I need to be fussing that the top had both black and grey...or that the scarf did? I'm having a hard time feeling like the grey would be as easy for me to work with as the black.

What do the experts think?

General

22 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

catgirl

Veteran

I don't think it's disjointed. Think black pants, teal top, grey cardi. I actually think it's more modern than all black with a colored top.

Elly

Veteran

I'm with AG--- having 2 neutrals and a color in an outfit is much more current than all black with a colored top. If you look good in grey, go for it!

Peri

Veteran

Interesting! I didn't know that. Cause I struggle with being current...that's why I need YLF! And...I do have the on the fence black waterfall card still. It was deemed "okay"...I think Angie said slightly dated but not a faux pas.

Grey is more tempting by the minute. I have to be sure cause it's a local boutique, don't know the return policy!

carter

Veteran

I prefer to add gray to black and a color. Go for the gray!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Remember Angie's post - mix black, brown, grey and navy in one outfit!
Grey will lighten up the black - go for it if this is a good grey for you.

Carole

Veteran

I think I would actually like that better! Gray is such a fabulous neutral. Perhaps adding a few gray tops will give you more options than you can shake a stick at.

AviaMariah

Veteran

I've been really enjoying mixing all sorts of neutrals in one outfit so I say go for it!

bj1111

Veteran

how about charcoal or a marled black/gray or inky blue...you still get the black but not quite.

these colors are kinder to the face as we age than black-black. i say this as someone who adores black on black.

Sara L.

Veteran

I like to wear grey and the cardigan you've described sounds wonderful. I have to admit though that some greys make me look blah. You'll probably need to evaluate how it makes your skin look.

Windchime

Veteran

I, too, think a beautiful grey cardigan could give you a lot of flexibility in your wardrobe. Grey and black work well with so many different colors and neutrals. I have a medium grey cardigan and have paired it with a multitude of colored tops and black pants. One combination which I really liked, somewhat to my surprise, was over a blouse in a soft gold color!

Do you ever read The Vivienne Files? She has numerous ideas for color palettes.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I think is particularly beautiful in cashmere, and, unless it's a light dove grey, I think it creates a low enough contrast to black to work in the way you describe.

No need to apologize for loving cardis! They work great for your style and your life!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I agree with the responses here, that two neutrals plus a color would be fine and would look more current than two blacks and a color. But I would add that the shade of gray matters, in my opinion. Is it a gray that actually does blend with black? Because I have some colors of gray in my wardrobe that I just don't like with black. These outliers are kind of greenish in cast or some are more purple or brownish. So I would look at the sweater against black to be sure, before making the investment.

Neel

Veteran

Another go for the gray vote! You only have to think if the color works for your skin tone. I know you look stunning in black!

lyn67

Veteran

And what if you wear them with a printed top which mixes the blacks and greys in it. Or just bl&color for matching at least the pants. Or just grey@color for matching the grey cardi.

Jenny H

I agree that two neutrals and a color is very current. I've also read somewhere to try to cap the number of colors in an outfit to 3. I sometimes use that as a guideline except that I don't count different shades of the same color as different colors (for example, light gray and charcoal gray).

Jules

Veteran

I agree 3 solid, actual colours in an outfit can be tough and some pattern is usually needed to tone it down/pull it together. But, grey is really a variation (tint) of black anyway and they are both neutrals. I do agree with firecracker though - make sure your grey sweater works with your black stuff *and* your colours. Since it sounds like maybe you can't return this one, I suggest wearing one of your proposed outfits to the boutique to try on - you could even bring more coloured items in a bag to see how they work against the grey.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote grey cardi with the black bottoms and any colour top formula.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I agree with everyone else - it's really the same as with other jackets, right? If you want to continue the gray in the outfit then silver jewelry or hardware on belts/bags helps to do that. The color of your shoes may also make a difference to you.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Go for it, Peri!!

Isabel

Veteran

Oh not all disjointed. I think that wearing 3 primary colors together would be very difficult. But grey could be considered a "shade" of black. I love "monochromatic" dressing where there are different shades of a color. I have also read about "triad" dressing : three colors. Go for it.

abc

Veteran

Go grey or go home

Just kidding. I agree with the replies, black pants plus grey cardi plus any color top could me a formula worth repeating over and over. Good luck.

unfrumped

Veteran

As all above. Evaluate the gray on its own merits--is it "your" gray (or one of several). Then you'll certainly be able to wear it lots of ways using various "formulas" for the depth of colors in the top and pants that will be quite pleasing. Then, adding certain accessories in linking colors or tones won't be a necessity, but can give you outfits with a lot of personality and interest.