Redefining my neutral colors& feeling French

Or maybe refocusing.

In trying to review and edit, I'm finding I may have some color confusion that may be contributing to outfit confusion.

I'm generally in the cool color camp --think " winter" if we must-- but with age ( ahem) skewing even cooler and a bit softer. However I've always had a sugar eye for khaki, olive, browns and
lots of earth tones. I don't like to feel my clothing is "icy". But if I look for cohesiveness, the items in these warmer colors are worn less and are harder to pull together with footwear and accessories with my other colors.
Black is still good in the mix and almost a necessity for some pants and
footwear, as there are more options. And I still love black mixed with tan and khaki. But even that is getting harder to mix.

I think I need to focus on cooler neutrals that are not black: more grays. Also, eye- opener, more of a true white, in small doses, than I thought. I actually like cool browns and grays together, at the risk of looking like tree bark. Navy's not totally out but it isn't skin- tone flattering and more, I just am not drawn to it.

The "feeling French" is a nod to the minimalist posts and the desire for better mix& match so I can remix favorite items. It is fine though to have multiple " capsules" to allow for neutrals that don't work as well together .

So, adding to fit and quality and value criteria, I'm seeing that I need to use better eyes for color criteria , too, where more color discipline may increase the happiness factor rather than limit it.

10 years ago

cciele

Veteran

I'm nodding as I read through your analysis. Great points! I think many of us do need to soften colors as we age. Black in particular is hard to work with! I really am liking charcoal and ink these days.

Beth Ann

You have made great strides in your style this year. It sounds you're refining even further as you plan for the fall. Look forward to seeing what comes out of this thought process!

Suz

(website)

It took me ages to narrow down my neutrals (and I really haven't narrowed them all that much). It was a bit easier to figure out key colours. But since I've narrowed my options I find it MUCH easier to shop and much easier to mix and match. It surprised me, actually, because I thought my palette was already quite limited.

I suspect you would look lovely in greys. I think they are a fantastic neutral for most of us as we get older. The wrong grey can be draining, of course -- but the right grey will look sophisticated, calm, and even fresh. I am very fond of charcoal.

I am drawn to warm tones as well. So I use those in my decorating. I am surrounded by warmth, but I wear mostly cool colours!

unfrumped

Thank you, cciele and Beth Ann!
Suz , I do similar thing-- I like to garden, and like to use natural tones and greens and flower colors in my home.
It hasn't seemed like a "gray" year. Also I really like texture in grays and wish I could find more tweedy, slubby fabrics. Still have not found a suitable updated gray flannel trouser for winter. Patience!

Runcarla

I have always liked your forum posts. Though your palette is not the same as mine, your somewhat formal sensibilities Appeal to me.

I've had an epiphany around white, and find it very flattering to my colouring. Though I did not find the elusive white pants/jeans I wanted for this summer (white shorts, jean jacket, shoes, and belt--instead) I'm going to keep my eye out for winter whites--a skirt perhaps, sweater, and maybe some white and grey python boots?

Looking forward with interest to your transitioning wardrobe. Hope you decide to give white a whirl--and good luck with the quest for the perfect greys.

Sarah A

Your posts are such a delight and insightful to read! Culling down to a limited color palatte and finding things with lots of remixing are so much easier to say than to DO! Wanting to feel French and not icy are such great terms you have developed to summarize your current goals! Well done and thanks for sharing

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