Colour, pattern, texture and shine give an outfit depth, making it look more interesting, eye-catching and attractive. If you think your outfit is missing something, troubleshoot by assessing whether it needs the addition of one or more of these elements. 

By mixing colour, pattern, texture and shine you can create all sorts of looks that keep your style fresh and rut-free. For a maximal and complex vibe, incorporate all four elements. If you’re a simple and minimal dresser, incorporate one or two at a time.

Colour

By colour I mean non-neutrals, so not black, shades of white and tan, dark blue, grey or dark brown. Sometimes olive is thought of as a neutral too. That said, non-neutrals needn’t be bright. They can be pastel, muddy, jewel-toned, mid-toned, and even very dark like a rich Bordeaux, eggplant or forest green.

You can wear neutral clothing and bring the colour through with footwear, accessories, eyewear, make-up and fingernail polish. When your eyes are a very bright blue or green, that also effectively adds colour to your look. Body ink and dying your hair a rainbow colour can also add colour to your style.

Pattern

A pattern is a repeated decorative design. We tend to think of bold, bright patterns, but they can also be subtle. Patterns composed of low-contrast neutral colours and small motifs are the most subtle of all.

You can choose to go bold or subtle. You can also mix several patterns in one outfit. At the other extreme there are people who never wear patterns at all.

Texture

Texture is usually created through the surface interest of fabrics or from the embellishments on clothing, footwear and accessories. Texture creates tactile as well as visual interest, and is particularly popular with those who prefer to sport a neutral style.

Your hairstyle can add fab texture to your outfit. On the extreme side, long and wild curly hair that is left down and not tied back adds busloads of texture to an outfit. Long sleek and straight hair adds more subtle texture.

Shine

Shine is created by incorporating anything that shines in your outfit. You can wear shiny clothing, sport metallic footwear, belts or handbags, or pile on shiny jewellery. Adding shine to your lips is a more subtle approach. You can sport shiny nails, wear gold eyeliner, or simply dazzle people with your shiny smile.

I incorporate all four of these elements into my style, and often sport two, three or four of them in one outfit. I’m biggest on colour and shine because it positively effects my mood. I sport brights, pastels and earth tones regularly, and in all wardrobe items. I like blue mascara. I love to wear shiny lipstick, metallic anything, and bright white pearl jewellery. I adore classic patterns and pattern mixing, although most of my wardrobe is solid. I also enjoy incorporating texture like faux fur, pom-poms, suede, patent, velvet, embroidery and tassels.

The outfit below incorporates all four elements. Even if this look isn’t for you, it’s fun to admire from afar. How do you incorporate colour, pattern, texture and shine into your style?

This ensemble was inspired by my own new pair of orange pants that were reduced to $16. I’ve been wearing them quite a bit, and it feels SO good to wear jeans less frequently. I like combining them with navy, ink blue, burgundy, cream, gold accents, and a touch more orange.

Here are the exact items I have been wearing in these outfits:

I’ve read that purple is the favourite colour of women overall, and orange is our least favourite. If that’s anything to go by, few YLF readers will have a pair of orange bottoms! Even if that’s the case, perhaps you’ll appreciate the colour combinations here even if you don’t wear them yourself.

The Polyvore shows an interpretation of the items in the collection that I used to create outfits with the orange pants.

Orange and Dark Blue

I combined the orange pants with ink blue turtleneck and navy boots. I wore sheer navy knee-highs instead of socks. I semi-tucked the turtleneck and added a gold belt. I finished off the look with orange tote and ink blue military coat. For a look that combined some cream, I swapped out the blue boots and gold belt for cream belt and booties, and added the orange pom-pom. The cherry bag looks good with these outfits too.

Orange, Burgundy and Cream

I combined the orange pants with a burgundy turtleneck and burgundy boots. I wore sheer grey knee-highs instead of socks. I semi-tucked the turtleneck and added a gold belt. I finished off the look with orange or cherry bag and plaid bomber jacket. For a look that combined more cream, I swapped out the burgundy turtleneck and boots for cream pullover, belt, pearls and booties. Sometimes I added the orange pom-pom. Gold watch, pearl ring and brown specs were worn with every outfit.

These outfits are an acquired taste. I enjoy wearing non-neutrals, and some colour combinations that might clash to others are harmonious to my eye. I’m awfully happy with my orange pants.

Author Susie Boyt shares her mixed feelings about this year’s holiday windows.

I love the thought and effort that goes into putting together a magical window display, and enjoyed browsing this selection of photos from cities around the world.

Vogue explains how the season’s best holiday windows celebrate New York’s sanctuary city status.

Fab Links from Our Members

Texstyle just came across a new-to-her blog, and enjoys some of the writing. She adds: “This particular article seems relevant to the current holiday season which is often more stressful for many.”

Angie directs us to this list of 35 fair trade and ethical clothing brands betting against fast fashion.

As we head into the new year, Angie recommends reading or re-reading Sally’s great post on how to transition your style. Angie says: “The most important word here is PATIENCE.”

Fashiontern points us to the Hometown Style series that spotlights fashion-forward New Yorkers who originally hail from one of the other 49 states.

Bijou wants to share this article on the cruel truth behind some puffer coats: “I had no idea that this was even happening. I for one will be happy to pay more, and own less puffers that I know meet the Traceable Down Standard.”

Rachylou enjoyed this read about streetwear and the thriving resale market.

There are many ways to give someone the gift of fashion and style. The important thing to remember is to focus on their sartorial preferences and not your own. Here are some ideas. The list is by no means exhaustive, but it might be a helpful starting point. 

• Buy them an item of clothing, pair of shoes, or an accessory.
• Treat them to a pedicure, manicure or facial.
• Buy them a beauty product.
• Get a gift card to one of their favourite stores.
• Arrange a session with a fashion or personal stylist.
• Make donations to non-profits like Dress for Success, or offer your time by volunteering.
• Offer to help them edit and review their closet, take them shopping if you’re a savvy shopper, and have a fun outfit creation session if they’re battling to pull together their look.

Personally, I enjoy gift giving and often give family, friends and colleagues a fashion or style-related gift. After all, I’m a fashion stylist! 

My darling 85 year old Dad hates to shop. Since my Mum passed away 17 years ago, I’ve taken over the job of shopping for him. He’s awfully grateful that I can choose well-fitting wardrobe items in colours that suit him, without him ever setting foot in a store.

Keri, my stylish sister-in-law who lives in London loves to shop and is a savvy shopper. My gift of style to her is a closet edit and review, and a few fun and very full shopping days together. Seb, my teenage nephew on the other hand, would much prefer a gift card so that he can spend his money his way, on his own, and with his mates. Brother Hugo enjoys shopping in short spurts twice a year, and gets very into it. My gift of style to him is a closet edit and review, and half a day of shopping because that’s what he prefers.

Hubby Greg enjoys fabulous wardrobe items, but dislikes shopping. He is extremely particular about fit, fabric, quality and colours. Over the years I’ve learned his tastes and preferences, and now often buy items for him. When I travel to Europe I often bring back a few items for him too. I cannot return these items if they don’t work, so they have to be dead right.

I get the fits right because I bring a tape measure, know which measurements work for him, and meticulously measure garments in stores. Sometimes, I bring along a great fitting shirt, tee, hoodie, pullover, or pair of jeans, and use that for comparison. The strategy works well, and most of the time the fits meet Greg’s high bar.

Last but not least, our wonderful Inge has started her own service called Thoughtful Gesture. She provides tailor-made and truly thoughtful gift ideas for any budget. If you’re battling to find a fabulous gift for someone, or simply need more ideas, give it a try. I think of myself as a pretty good gift giver, yet Inge suggested items I wouldn’t have come up with on my own. Fun, practical and delightful.