Colours and Personality

The stereotypes around colour preferences go something like this: Introverts tend to prefer neutrals, low-contrast colour combinations, muted tones, and subtle patterns. Extroverts also like neutrals, but they combine them with bright colours, bold and high-contrast colour combinations, and loud patterns. Or they simply wear non-neutrals from head to toe.

In our household, we fit the stereotypes. I’m the extrovert who enjoys wearing bright colours, bold patterns and high-contrast outfits because they lift my spirits and make me happy. To me, brights feel just as right and soothing as neutrals. Greg, on the other hand, is more of an introvert and enjoys wearing dark neutrals. Most of his wardrobe is black, ink blue, navy, deep olive and charcoal. The exception is footwear. He often makes a statement with red sneakers.

In my experience as a fashion stylist, the stereotypes are not very accurate. I have plenty of introverted friends, family members, and clients who enjoy bright colours, bold patterns, and high-contrast combinations. For example, my 85 year old, introverted Dad has worn red and orange knitwear, and bold checked shirts, for as long as I can remember. I also know extroverts with very neutral, low-contrast wardrobes.

Over to you. Do you fit or buck the colour and personality stereotypes?

Weekly Roundup: Hosiery

You might like to refresh last year’s holiday dress with a new and fun pair of pantyhose, add statement socks to a tried-and-tested outfit, or wear knee-highs instead of socks or hosiery. My holiday dress this year is a burgundy lantern sleeve shift from Ann Taylor. I’ll be sporting a tonal vibe by combining it with micro polka dot Bordeaux hose (the first item in the roundup) instead of sheer black or black micro fishnets. Gold shoes, a cherry red suede clutch and a pile of pearls will finish off the look.

Here’s a short roundup of fab hosiery and socks to get you into the holiday mood as we slow down for the long Thanksgiving weekend.

  • Oroblu Cloe Polka Dot Tights: A little pricey but quite robust, and awfully dainty and pretty on the leg. Cute with burgundy or metallic footwear. Unfortunately the burgundy is sold out but they might restock for the holidays.
  • Nordstrom 3-Pack Sheer Knee Highs: These are my favourite knee-highs that I wear very regularly. Available in a few shades of nude and have just come out with navy. I bought the navy right away, along with my usual shade of nude and a SOFT black, which is gentler than the sheer black.
  • Spanx Lace Socks: Fun socks to wear with black loafers or oxfords, along with cropped pants or jeans to show them off. Wearing black elsewhere in the outfit helps pull the look together.
  • BEAUTIFUL LEGS BY CAROLINE Fleming Dream On Pantyhose: Swirly patterns add a Modern AND Retro vibe to your outfit. Pattern mix the hose with a dress or skirt, if you dare.
  • Spanx Honeycomb Shaper Tights: The subtle yet strong honeycomb pattern is for Team Geometric. The control top is quite comfortable, and I vote burgundy instead of black.
  • Nordstrom Diamond Tights: The diamond pattern is not as bold in person, especially once it's under a knee-length dress. Maximal in a minimal way with the fishnet. Effective and quite flattering on the leg. Great with a blue dress or skirt.

Visit the collection page to see the items alongside my descriptions.

Update: Extreme Shoe Duplication

Back in July I shared my experimental shopping strategy of extreme shoe duplication. I bought four pairs of the same Spring and Summer shoe — a classic penny loafer across three colours. I bought the red first, white next, and blush after that. Right away, I wore the white very frequently and duplicated that colour so I’d have a brand new pair waiting in the wings for next Spring.

With three pairs of the exact same shoe in rotation, I ran the risk of making one or even two of the colours orphans, or simply getting bored of the style. I’m pleased to report that my experiment was a success. These modern classic loafers saved my Summer feet, and to some extent my Summer style. I wore them most days, with everything from jeans, cropped flares, and cropped straights, to culottes, utility pants, skirts and dresses. They were smart casual, structured, polished, versatile and heavenly on my feet. Refined, client-appropriate, and perfect for Summer travel.

I felt put together when these loafers finished off an outfit, especially because I built scarf and bag complements around them.

I wore the white loafers most frequently, which makes sense because closed white shoes are a Summer wardrobe essential for my style. To my surprise, I reached for the blush a little more often than the red. I liked the low contrast against my skin tone the further we got into Summer. I also loved them with white jeans. I wore the red more in Spring and late Summer, and with dark jeans.

I shan’t be wearing these loafers again till the Spring. Hopefully, they will feel just as comfortable next year as they did this year, and I will love them just as much.

Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

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Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

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Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

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Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

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Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

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Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

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Ensemble: Olive, Black & Cream

This is an easy outfit combination to pull together, even when you don’t wear black because you might have black footwear. And since olive is having its fashionable moment, you might have some olive in your wardrobe, or at least have tried it on in stores. 

I’ve been wearing my version of casual equestrian with casual clients by mixing up these exact items from my wardrobe. LOVING my tall boots tucked into jeans, and really missed wearing the vibe. Personally, I had to add a non-neutral to the palette because things felt too neutral. I threw in my citron and burgundy bags, plus pom-pom for fun, to make it feel right for me.

Think of any way to combine olive with black and cream. Olive and black is a popular and flop-proof combination. By adding cream, you create a lighter, crisper, prettier and softer visual effect, which may or may not be your cup of tea. It’s my sartorial preference because I steer clear of Hard Edge. If you don’t, skip the cream. Here are some renditions to get you started.

Ensemble: Olive, Black & Cream

Casual Equestrian

Combine a black, cream or olive pullover with a pair of skinny blue jeans. Tuck the jeans into tall black riding boots. Semi-tuck the top and add a black belt if you like. Feel free to wear a black and cream patterned top, or an olive pattern too. Add a cream scarf, pearls or pair of booties if you don’t have cream in your outfit yet. Top it off with an olive parka, and a bag that works with the palette.

Tunic & Bottoms

Combine an olive dress or tunic with olive pants or blue jeans. Top it off with a black cardigan, black or cream boots, and a cream scarf or pile of pearls. Or, combine a black and cream patterned top with black pants and add an olive topper or scarf. Make sure the footwear works with the hems of the bottoms, and finish things off with a bag that works with the palette.

You could also combine an olive dress with tall black boots or booties, and throw over a black or cream topper. Finish things off with cream accessories.

The Polarization of Retail Price Points

Retail has changed so much over the last twenty years. Department stores are disappearing and online shopping has taken over the industry. Consignment and thrift stores are gaining momentum. Personalized shopping packages are fashionable, and it’s possible to rent your wardrobe instead of owning it. The new reality is pretty mind-blowing.

It’s not just the way we shop that’s different, the price point structure is changing too. The market seems to be polarizing to two extremes: fast fashion and designer wear.

Fast Fashion is relatively inexpensive and affordable to most. Quality ranges from fair to poor, and is inconsistent from item to item. Some items are sold so incredibly cheaply that I can’t get my head around how they can possible be making a profit.

Designer Wear ranges from pricey to extremely pricey. Quality ranges from good to impeccable. Designs are fairly unique, fabrics and workmanship are superior, and you’re paying a lot extra for the exclusivity and status of the brand. The prices of designer wear also seem to be getting more expensive season after season.

The product that lies between these price points is disappearing. These items are very well made and use gorgeous fabrics. Some thought and precision has gone into their design, and they last over time. They are pricey compared to fast fashion, but not nearly as expensive as designer wear.

A lot of chain store merchandise is getting more like fast fashion, especially since retailers discount the goods regularly and still have to make a profit. They are continuously finding ways to reduce item costs, which takes a toll on the workmanship and fabric integrity.

Brands like Karen Millen and Boden are examples of this disappearing price point. More expensive than fast fashion, but for the price you get a quality item. Years ago, many house brands from Nordstrom fit the bill too, but that is no longer the case.

As a retail buyer I worked closely with clothing manufacturers and learned that superior fabric and workmanship comes at a price. Personally, I will happily pay extra for a wardrobe item that is made of luxe fabric, has all sorts of quality details, is flawlessly stitched together, and handles well in the laundry. But I’m not necessarily looking for designer wear where I have to pay a premium for the prestige of the label. These quality, non-designer items are harder and harder to find and that’s just the way the market is going. Things are fast, faster, or slow, with very little in between.