I like this look and generally wear a limited palate. Simplicity can be very elegant. I do like to "punch it up a little" with little bits of bright color, though.

You have gorgeous textures in your pieces. The simple colors allow those textures to be the focal point. Simple yet rich and interesting.

I've actually been thinking a little along these lines, although not quite to IK's extent. Within the last year or two, I've gotten more interested in wearing things in a medium-sized range of colors that I know work for me, rather than grabbing all the colors I can just because colors are pretty. In my case, the shades I've been going for include all kinds of warm, muted reds and purples; teals and turquoises; certain dark greens; black, especially when I pair it with something warmer; cognac; and the occasional gray or navy.

I wonder if I should be a little more systematic about deciding that these colors are my "official" palette, or even refining it further. On one hand, it would obviously give me more focus when shopping, more potential for remixing, and a more unified wardrobe. On the other, I think cutting off other colors altogether would make me feel kind of antsy and deprived. (I'm not sure if there's a correlation, but I've also never been able to go on a diet in my life. I apparently have issues with telling myself I can't have something; it works much better when I can just persuade myself that I don't really want it anyway.) Maybe I need to just declare the color equivalent of a college major? So the majority of my "credits" would be in the colors that work best for me and that I keep reaching for anyway, but I could still take "electives" in whatever shade I want.

And that closet picture is gorgeous! So many pretty textures.

September I lived out of a suitcase that was roll aboard sized with a palette limited to black, grey, blue (jean) and cognac. I felt fab every day and got good feedback on my wardrobe posts.

Since then, I feel best with the limited palette, and a Mo post about neutrals and 2 colours has had ++ resonance.

Probs is restricting the palette! Neutrals are taken care of - in order of dominance: black, grey, navy, blue jean blue, white, cognac. I would like to limit my colours. Purple is my signature, and cobalt. Yellow? 3 garments. Red? 3 garments? Blush (current crush 2 garments)! Teal green? 3 garments.

I am thinking of relegating yellow and green to summer and vacay wardrobes, and investing on more red for winter. I have enough purple. I love the blush, but maybe phasing it out as a fad?

I think this makes a lot of sense! Your closet looks very cohesive with endless re-mixing possibilities.

My wardrobe is still a riot of colors, although I now have a heavy selection of shades of grey -- which I also wear a lot (today included). It is so much easier not to have to match colors.

Since I joined YLF 3 years ago I have purchased things in just about every color to see which ones I like and suit me. I'm now to the point where it's just too much, and I need to winnow.

I think the problem is this: the colors that are easy to coordinate are black, white and grey (in my mind at least). But, they are not my "best" colors which are coral and emerald green. Those two are hard to build a closet around and if I solely focused on those colors I would sacrifice a lot of style. I guess I'm still trying to find the right solution.

Aubergine, I love your major/elective metaphor! I would get antsy if I limited my colours much more than I already do; as long as something is muted and cool enough to flatter me, it's fair game.

CocoLion, what are your best neutrals? You could add coral and emerald green to that set of colors, similar to Mo's palette selection plan (pick a few neutrals + a few core colors). It's hard to build a wardrobe around signature colors, imo; that's why we use neutrals so much.

IK, this is a fascinating thread and I am slowly coming around to this way of thinking, especially after Claire stayed with me and I could see her minimal color up close and personal.

I still love nautical stripes for my more casual, playful side and I find I'm a bit like Janet in that I sometimes go into a "neutral" period where certain colors hold reign for a time. Right now, it seems to be black, navy and cream with a maroon element thrown in.

Beautiful words written by Una.

After years of trying unsuccessfully to bring more color into my closet, dying my hair a burgundy red was the last straw. I've just "officially" limited my color palette to black/grey/white with colors only in the wine-oxblood and teal-emerald spectrums. I have 1 or 2 items in ink blue and a few military inspired pieces in olive, but even those are likely to be phased out as I find suitable replacements. I have to say, it's among the best fashion choices I can recall making. Getting dressed is SO much easier, and I feel like myself in everything I own now.

I am so with you on this Dana. You have no idea.

I think I've done this by default just because I get overwhelmed by options when I shop. But I recently became more intentional and it's made dressing more fun and shopping more tolerable. Funny that cobalt is what I've been leaning toward as a signature color (at least for winter) but I forgot the name and in my mind I've been calling it "electric blue".
I also like the idea of limiting cuts of clothing that somebody has mentioned. I might start trying that too.
I like navy but it seems I don't see it often when I shop, which surprises me.

Ironkurtin,
You are living my dream! Lol. I am trying to do this very thing myself, and posted a thread a couple of days back seeking advice etc. Your palette is lovely, and I only hope I can get to the place that you have, where everything is limited and cohesive. You seem very content and at home with your choices, and at bottom, isn't it about feeling good about what you are wearing and being at peace with it?

IK - I have not had a chance to read all the responses but just wanted to let you know that I did this about 2 yr ago, limiting my color palate, and I am even stricter. Black, gray, a little bit of cream/white and denim and primarily silver hardward, that's it. It is so helpful in making things work for me. I don't find this restrictive, I find it lilberating. My wardrobe has become more cohesive and I feel calm, put together and elegant. I want to come back and read through, but just wanted to let you know that this strategy has been really helpful to me!! Good luck with it!!