https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 14 Apr 2026 15:08:11 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light/page/2#post-1988462 Fri, 04 Jan 2019 03:25:22 +0000 Jaime 1988462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just commented on bj1111's thread on how effective this strategy is. Good quality basics and bam! shoes and accessories. Love the snow leopard scarf on you too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1988408 Thu, 03 Jan 2019 23:33:08 +0000 Gretchen 1988408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Right there with you on needing to lighten up, and I LOVE your scarf! </p> <p>I started I with some wardrobe basics, but it didn’t really work for me until I could put together a full outfit that focused on ivory/cream. (And it helped that I get complimented every time I wear these colors - go figure!) </p> <p>Ideas below, good luck! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1988122 Thu, 03 Jan 2019 09:14:22 +0000 Kate 1988122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you on lightening up the wardrobe. Slowly but steadily I've been creeping up on the white bandwagon.</p> <p>While I've worn white shorts for years in the summer, I never thought to add any other white to my wardrobe. It was only when I bought a boxy short sleeved cotton top from Madewell three years ago that I realized the magic of white for brightening up my face. That top is probably the hardest working item in my summer wardrobe.</p> <p>So, I started adding in other bits of white, a purse here, a scarf there. Then I bought a sleeveless white midi dress from Everlane in their wonderful Go Weave fabric. More white magic! I do not have Angie's ability to keep whites pristine, and yes, the first time I wore it out to dinner, I got sauce on it, but I didn't care. Washed right out. Love that dress.</p> <p>My one white (a gray-based white)&nbsp; wool sweater has garnered so many compliments over the color that it led me to start looking for winter whites.&nbsp; I do prefer a more muted white for winter, leaving optic white for summer. My ultimate white purchase came last year with a white boiled wool jacket with cocoon sleeves. I love wearing it and couldn't wait for the weather to get cold enough for me to break it out in 2018. I truly drank the Kool-Aid this winter when I bought cream-colored booties. Wore 'em out of the box to dinner and have been wearing them ever since. I've bought two other white/cream tops this winter, and my husband bought me a beautiful off-white dress from COS for Christmas.</p> <p>Whites work beautifully with my neutral wardrobe, and I especially love white with olive, rust, brown and black. White has really energized my closet, and let me have a lot of fun with my existing clothes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987912 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 16:02:41 +0000 Janet 1987912@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ack, I want to reply to everyone, but it’s hard on my phone. Will respond more thoroughly when I’m on my computer!</p> <p>Jules, when I was in South Africa, I picked up this snow leopard print scarf, and it’s been so useful! Shown here with my long Nikkie jacket. It really pulls together an outfit built of white-grey-black neutrals. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987908 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 15:52:39 +0000 Jules 1987908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The last blouse you posted is the kind of thing I look for - ‘pattern’ and texture help make the effect more muted which is way more flattering on me and just less stark/high contrast. But the added bonus I just realized is that they can also take a bit more wear - a small spill or crumb is not nearly as obvious as on a flat white tee.<br /> I also saw a scarf today that was tan &amp; brown leopard with a small chartreuse detail, on a soft white background. Those are more my earth tone colours than your jewel tones but I think a grey ‘snow leopard’, or even a black on white animal pattern could work. I don’t think you are a huge indoor scarf person but they are an easy way to introduce white around your face. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987906 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 15:51:59 +0000 anchie 1987906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My winter wardrobe was very dark, mostly black, dark grey and navy, and I wanted to lighten it up too. So added this items in finds. What helped me was this pair of inexpensive H&amp;M plaid pants that fit surprisingly well. Also got black ponte pants with white stripe on the side that makes it easier to mix. Have yet to see about skirt and jeans - struggling with the styling at the moment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987886 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 15:21:35 +0000 Christina F. 1987886@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I dipped my toe into white in the last year. For me, it was about finding items that aren't too see through, since I did buy white jeans. I also added white sandals and bone colored booties, and a white bag. White tops are trickier because of the see through factor, though I got the Tilda in white. Patterns are an excellent solution - I'm a pattern fan, and many of my tops do incorporate white (especially since I'm a stripe fan).</div><div><br /></div><div>These items do require more care than I'm used to giving to my clothes and accessories, but I'm trying to be better about that all around.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987881 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 15:14:25 +0000 texstyle 1987881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>I used to feel that I would ruin anything light as well - but then I decided to give myself permission to do it (but I really I don't invest in high $$$ light items like leather, suede, etc.). If I think I really love a particular white or light item I try to buy a duplicate just in case. That has eased my worry about ruining a few favorites considerably. I duplicated both a soft flannel short sleeved top and short sleeved white button down last year for this reason and now I don't worry nearly so much about staining either of them.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Lou &amp; Grey sweatshirt has been wearing well in soft white and I've managed to keep it clean as well (I didn't duplicate this one because it wasn't a "10" but I do enjoy it and wear it fairly often). And some of my light/white items have pattern on the front so they aren't going to show a stain as easily.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also wear white shorts in summer quite often now (invested in duplicate of one pair for the same reason above) so I guess I've lost that "fear of ruining" thing.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987875 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 14:25:12 +0000 Janet 1987875@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Carla, I would like to look half as good as you in white jeans! I gave away my old pair because they’re now a full size too small, and I also saw a candid photo of me that made me reconsider EVER wearing a light color on my bottom half. Yikes. Your ability to travel in them and keep them clean is right up there with Angie! Alas, with multiple dogs, and living in the woods, all of my light clothes are doomed to getting dirty quickly. </p> <p>Rebekah, I like that lace-up hem top — great find! </p> <p>Rachy, I totally get not wanting to look “too nice”! Part of why I am drawn to a dark palette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987869 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 14:12:53 +0000 lyn67 1987869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can do this with white/tan outerwear (white pleather coat or denim jacket/silver parka/sometime even a tan trench) &amp; patterned bottoms easier and keep the top black or dark. For example I have some bl&amp;w/cream pattered (esp stripey or geom pattern) tube skirts/pencils, dark plaid with some white or cream contrast in it works too (I have cigarette pants) and glenncheck is also great for that (I have a pleated midi &amp; 7/8 pants, too). Then, I wear white and cream knits, too,&nbsp; but&nbsp; pay attention to buy these usually more fitted/tailored than others and of a modest fine/max.ribbed knit-as everything oversized or chunky makes me a linerback and double digits bust. I like a normal cut in sleeve, a dolman and a raglan one as well-but I hate the&nbsp; below/off the shoulders sleeve seam for me. Hope this helps. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987816 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 09:11:34 +0000 Sal 1987816@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's what I find too Jessi, and I mostly prefer them to pure white on me.&nbsp; My only pure white item is one pair of jeans and one pair of sneakers.&nbsp; Aside from that I have soft grey, ivory, blush and metallic.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987794 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 06:59:30 +0000 Jessikams 1987794@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve been surprised to find that lots of not-exactly-white colors can “read” as white/bright in a dark outfit: light gray, blush, any metallic, taupe.</p> <p>I don’t wear ice blue but I bet it could work as a bright accent with your wardrobe, given your love of cobalt and teal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987748 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 02:32:50 +0000 cindysmith 1987748@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I've been feeling the cream and other light colors too! In my case, it's probably a reaction to having to wear so much black most of the week for work. And, like you, I can only manage to keep those colors clean for about 3.2 nanoseconds LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987741 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 02:17:35 +0000 rachylou 1987741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This will be interesting. To me it would be a real challenge, because .... because of my personality, lol. Can’t look too nice, lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987738 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 02:10:41 +0000 Angie 1987738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lighter items!</p> <p>*HAPPY DANCE*</p> <p>Beautiful with your dark hair and hard edged style, <b>Janet.&nbsp;</b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987730 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 01:52:20 +0000 Bijou 1987730@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I like to wear white / cream jackets, particularly in the summer months where at work our air-con is freezing, yet it is hot outside, so I look a little strange being all suited up in dark colours. </p> <p>I have come to accept that white jackets just don't last as long and need to be replaced to look pristine. How I wish I had Angie's superpower, but alas spills happen and I try to not let it stop me from wearing and enjoying my lighter colours.</p> <p>I love the Veronica Beard moto jacket, that seems to give you the best of both worlds! </p> <p>I have this scarf which is an easy way of adding some lightness to a darker outfit.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987724 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 01:41:51 +0000 jussie 1987724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have the exact same struggle. I know having some cream or white pieces would give me a lot more versatility, but for some reason I really have to force myself to buy them and wear them.<br /> I agree having a pattern makes it heaps easier.<br /> I also think having a soft, chiffon type fabric can make the white somehow less jarring/unflattering.....<br /> Good luck with it and I can’t wait to see your wiws. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987696 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 00:47:37 +0000 Carla 1987696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>At first I treated white items as precious. When their number grew in my closet, I became more cavalier. Now I can do white jeans and get up to 4 days wear, even sitting on the floor! My travel signiture Is white jeans! </p> <p>You can do this, Janet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987692 Wed, 02 Jan 2019 00:39:09 +0000 rebekahphoto 1987692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have thought this same thing over and over! I always default to black and dark patterns, with a splash of blue and turquoise. Similar reasons--I am super messy, rarely like to see a lighter color on my bottom half (yikes---although i do have a pair of metallic white jeans that are for Star Wars Princess Leia/ movie premier wear) and I do like the drama/contrast from my lighter hair/coloring</p> <p>Tonal patterns and textures seem to be the best direction I've found to both lighten things up, and to add a bit of camouflage for the messy me. Ive also found an accessory (scarf/shoes) in a lighter color works to add a visual lighter touch</p> <p>I have purchased a few lighter color tops so far, but they have not had much wear yet as I keep defaulting to my darker tones. attached are the latest 2, still waiting to be worn...</p> <p>Ill be watching to see what kind of finds pop up! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987679 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 23:56:00 +0000 kellygirl 1987679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can do relate to the inability to keep things pristine. I’m not messy by nature but my work environment wreaks havoc on n nice things and light colors. I think also as I get older, black is becoming less flattering. Go figure. Looking forward to seeing you lighten up in 2019! Maybe I will too! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987636 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 21:57:04 +0000 karen13 1987636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This resonates with me. I will be watching how you do this with interest - I also am looking for more lightness in my preferred dark palette. You rock the dark colors so well that I've never missed light tones in your outfits, but my fair hair and skin could be more flattered with lighter colors (if only I liked them as much as navy, burgundy, hunter). I have the same issues with high contrast on me and largely dark toned bottoms and shoes in my closet.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am on the lookout for patterned tops that mix dark and light like this t I picked up at H&amp;M (BTW, the one I bought does not have the unfortunate flower placement that the model displays!). Also I find having lighter shoes really helps - but I live in a dusty muddy icy no-sidewalks place, so it presents challenges. Plus as a less-tall person, I prefer the lengthening effect of keeping tones the same with shoes and pants. But we must push the comfort zone! That might be the start of my style goals this year. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987629 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 21:40:03 +0000 Style Fan 1987629@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only wear cream T-shirts because of my amazing ability to attract dirt.&nbsp; Patterns might be easier.&nbsp; I like the VB jacket and the grey striped T-shirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987616 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 20:50:37 +0000 Jane 1987616@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love those grey striped pieces. Good anticipation of practical difficulties, I am with you on the coffee sleeves problem.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987567 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:54:33 +0000 Janet 1987567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Deb and all!</p> <p>I find it easier to do this in the summer. It’s a little harder for me in winter! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987563 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:43:41 +0000 deb 1987563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Let there be light. You have a good plan an d I look forward to your WIW's. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987556 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:25:40 +0000 Janet 1987556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, I will check out that spray, thank you! </p> <p>Reassuring to see I am not alone in this challenge. I did end up pulling the cream wool pea coat out of the donate bag (Angie and a few others recommended hanging onto it for now) so maybe hanging that in my coat closet (not down in the holding zone) will inspire me a little more. </p> <p>White tops in cool-weather styles are hard — so many long-sleeved tops are still too see-through or flimsy. And any construction flaw is even more obvious in a light color. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987554 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:19:27 +0000 JAileen 1987554@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I bought the Tahari leather jacket (in olive) I was afraid to wear it. I talked to our shoe repair person and she recommended this product. I used it outdoors. It’s not an aerosol, though, you have to pump it with your finger, like a bottle of Windex. It didn’t change the color at all. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987553 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:17:19 +0000 taylor 1987553@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been trying to do that exact thing. I have been immersed in black for so long it makes it a slow process.<br /> I started last summer and added several white and cream sleeveless breezy tops . They seemed to dress up my shorts and were easy to match the lighter sandals I ended up getting . I have a few white and cream leather jackets and sweaters that I usually get compliments on when I wear them, so I figure the lighter colors work for me .<br /> I also prefer a neutral pallet and don’t wear prints or florals so I really have to get creative with texture and design. It’s a process </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987551 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:16:39 +0000 Sal 1987551@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree that some lightness is appealing but can be tricky. I share your ability to attract dirt and also rarely choose a light top in winter.</p> <p>I agree pattern can be easier.</p> <p>I added this duck egg blazer and wore it regularly - the slightly off blue/ grey was easy to wear with denim, black and navy.</p> <p>I also like camel or pewter or cream footwear to add some light - this may be easier with my hair though.</p> <p>My caramel faux fur also added a lighter colour? I could see you in a faux fur in silver or light grey?</p> <p>Lastly - although I have now ruined it- I did enjoy a blush beanie. It was useful and fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/adding-a-little-light#post-1987547 Tue, 01 Jan 2019 18:09:05 +0000 bj1111 1987547@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>you are in my head.&nbsp; i do want to lighten up but i am 1) messy and 2) really favor a column of color/low contrast.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>will be watching thread for inspo.</p> <p>i did go for a few tops in the sales to ease into this lightness.&nbsp; i am finding the oatmeal sweater and grey twinset hard to wear with black bottoms,&nbsp; charcoal or dark heather gray or denim color works better. </p>