https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 10 Apr 2026 07:21:28 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1062278 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 22:32:33 +0000 Helena 1062278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love this discussion! As many hours as I've spent poring over color theory, seasons and all, at the end of the day&nbsp;I generally will wear any color as long as its black. I occasionally go crazy and buy something gray, but I usually regret my recklessness! (So, Gryffin, you're not alone!)</p> <p>In truth, I do usually pick up one or two colorful pieces per season, usually a scarf or inexpensive top, in one of the seasons trends, but I only do so if it's a color&nbsp;that I already know works on me, and I generally get very little wear out of it, so its really just so I can&nbsp;say that I participated in a trend.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061967 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 15:58:26 +0000 cciele 1061967@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Florence -- you too, eh? It did surprise me how much my wardrobe shifted with hair color, since I've always thought of picking colors based on&nbsp;my skin tone instead of hair. Good excuse to buy new clothing, I guess </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061864 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 14:13:56 +0000 Day Vies 1061864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>fascinating topic! I adore playing with color. It appears that my color preferences happen to flatter me the most ( I know that's not the question -- I digress). I have been playing around with colors and color combinations since I discovered color theory in my studio classes while working on my fine arts degree. Fashion seem to influence what is <b><i>available,</i></b> which a good amount of the time <i><b>runs counter to what I want </b></i>at a particular price point. Right now I am looking for 2 high quality colored cardigans in deep dark red probably&nbsp;oxblood is the&nbsp;exact color I want&nbsp;but definitely <i>red</i> with blue undertones&nbsp;(not purple!). I am also looking for a deep plum which also had more red than blue but <i>is not </i>purple. Purple seems to always be avaliable but not in shades I would consider for myself. I also know what you mean about falling in love with a color. It seems to happen in just that way. Right now pale aqua with touches of fuchsia seems to fascinate me especially when grounded by navy. Not sure if I even have a truly&nbsp;pale aqua in my wardrobe but I have been looking, not actively, but certainly it's in the back of my mind as I consider color options. So I guess my answer to your question is yes fashion does influence what colors I wear by virtue of not providing wparticular colors that tickle my fancy in either my size or price point. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061847 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 13:43:16 +0000 Anonymous 1061847@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not really. I got annoyed when I watched an episode of TLC's WNTW in which Stacy and Clinton told a woman that her black-and-blue color combo was outdated. Yes, the woman was wearing '80s style clothing that clearly dated her, and the color combo didn't suit her personal coloring. But that's beside the point. The point is that black and blue is a great color combo on certain people. I'll wear the color combos that I like and that I feel look fab on me. It matters not to me if someone else thinks they're outdated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061754 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:02:22 +0000 lyn67 1061754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Claire said&nbsp; is true&nbsp; for me, too:<br />"&nbsp;I think I like the same categories of color, but I love it when a "new and improved" version comes into favor with designers. The slight tweaking of hue, value or chroma (just throwing big words around here, for all I know two of these are synonyms) makes an old favorite seem so fresh and delicious. (...)<br />So I'm kind of influenced by fashion as far as what's available and looks current, but I'm not going to fall for a color I don't like, or doesn't look good on me. +I love neutrals and wearing them with other neutrals".<br />(sorry for not having&nbsp;my own&nbsp;original words for it :-)) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061687 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 04:39:34 +0000 Deborah 1061687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have been very consistent since I was a young adult and commenced working.&nbsp; I have worn and loved black for years.&nbsp; I would say I am rarely influenced colourwise by fashion but availability which is tied into what's fashionable plays a role.&nbsp; For example, I do love deep inkly blues and cobalt but it really hasn't been popular until recenlty hence I have been able to stock up a bit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061566 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 02:14:47 +0000 Janet 1061566@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've been pretty consistent with my color preferences ever since I was a teenager, although back then I tended towards more purples and reds than I do now -- now I gravitate towards more blues and greens. I've always been much more into black than brown. I've never been much for wearing yellow or orange. One color I have embraced that I avoided for years is navy. Now I love it!</p> <p>If a color trend appeals to me and falls into a color category I already like, I'll snap up items in that color while they're trending (mint green last year, cobalt this year). But I don't know if I'll be swayed into baby blue and light pink next spring -- I doubt it. Pastels have never been my favorites. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061563 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 02:11:24 +0000 FlorenceFearne 1061563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@ceiele - that's so funny, I recently dyed my hair a bright unnatural burgundy, and some of my old color stand-bys are failing me! I'm having real trouble wearing true reds anymore, and have had to switch to garnets and burgundies. I also can't stand the sight of myself in purple anymore. I noticed I'm wearing a lot more greens than before, too.&nbsp;</p> <p>Regarding the actual question here, I don't think a trend is likely to win me over to a color I can't stand, but I do buy more of colors I like when they become trendy. That may only be because there's suddenly a much bigger range of styles in that color than before. For example, I've been buying oxblood like crazy this season, because it's everywhere. When cobalt was really trending, I bought a beautiful cobalt lace top. It still has tags. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061515 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 01:32:07 +0000 trix 1061515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting question!&nbsp;Chalk up another member of Team "Stick with What I Like." Basically I have set ideas about the colors that I think look best on me (cool blues and variants of the red or purple families) and that I like most,&nbsp;and I buy whatever's closest to those colors when I'm shopping. There are times when there's nothing in "my" colors, and I'll end up skipping a season.&nbsp;I've found over the years that&nbsp;if I buy colors outside of this range, even if I like them, I just end up not wearing them or struggling to match them. I guess it's sort of a capsule approach, where most of my wardrobe is a color-coordinated capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061505 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 01:20:23 +0000 shemarie 1061505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What intriguing questions and thought-provoking replies, Faith.&nbsp; For what it is worth, I greatly enjoyed your tome!</p> <p>The question you posed that&nbsp;most struck me and that I struggle immensely with personally was this one:&nbsp; <i>Have you found your color loves and hates--try if possible to put aside the question of flattery here--to remain constant over the years, or do you find your heart swayed by the colors of the season?<br /></i><i><br /></i>It's funny, I often adore new seasonal color trends and happily&nbsp;use them&nbsp;in home decor, paint, flowers, etc. Those can easily sway my heart.&nbsp;Just not near my face!&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;feel like with my hair/eye/skin tones and lack of contrast, I'm extremely limited in what I can wear without looking drawn and&nbsp;practically sickly. &nbsp;So, unfortunately, the dilemma for me is&nbsp;often that&nbsp;what I&nbsp;love and what flatters end up worlds and worlds apart!<i></p> <p></i> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061473 Thu, 24 Oct 2013 00:48:51 +0000 Anonymous 1061473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Faith! What a great thread. I'm slapping myself around for missing it yesterday (lightly). You are such a great writer and have teased us with ideas for future posts, which I am already looking forward to!</p> <p>Okay so about color. I think I like the same categories of color, but I love it when a "new and improved" version comes into favor with designers. The slight tweaking of hue, value or chroma (just throwing big words around here, for all I know two of these are synonyms) makes an old favorite seem so fresh and delicious. My favorites are cool, soft blues, cool, soft berry reds (kind of in between red and pink), and turquoise (as long as it's not too green). So I'm kind of influenced by fashion as far as what's available and looks current, but I'm not going to fall for a color I don't like, or doesn't look good on me. I love neutrals and wearing them with other neutrals. This is a fairly new concept for me, and I think it's been sort of "in" to do this for the past 10 years or so. As usual, I'm bringing up the rear!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061425 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 23:46:51 +0000 havanagirl 1061425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, and no. &nbsp;I like the same colors consistently (blues, purples, magentas and other jewel tones), but like others have said, what's in fashion can limit their supply in the stores. &nbsp;I love deep, rich brown, but haven't been able to find it easily lately. &nbsp;I am tempted by what's in fashion, too. &nbsp;Mint intrigued me, but just didn't work, although I gave it a small try since it was everywhere for awhile. &nbsp;Orange tempted me...but no, I didn't give in.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sometimes, a new color will just fall into favor with me - not sure why, but I'm really into navy blue lately.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061414 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 23:34:43 +0000 Anonymous 1061414@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like a lot of people above, my main color preferences are pretty stable. But I've definitely been influenced by trends to try colors or color combinations I wouldn't have thought of before. <br />Sometimes this can be really good. (I didn't really think of wearing black and cognac together before it started showing up everywhere a few years ago, and now I love it. I also have a few tangerine accessories that are really fun to wear.) And sometimes it's kind of meh. (I have a lilac cardigan that I bought last spring because I decided it was probably the least unflattering to&nbsp;me of all the icy pastels that were everywhere. I wear it sometimes, but probably won't bother to get anything else in that color.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion/page/2#post-1061304 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 22:04:56 +0000 Caro in Oz 1061304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found that my preference for all browns &amp; black waned after I let my hair go grey. The browns became harder to work into a look &amp; black feels very hard especially in daylight. Great post. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1061192 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 19:22:26 +0000 cciele 1061192@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good question, Faith! At one time,&nbsp;I thought I had settled on my colors -- neutrals of black, white, and charcoal, colors of cobalt, fuschia and lime. But then I changed my hair color! That's had the most significant impact on my colors. Now that I have an unnatural shade of burgundy red, my colors are leaning toward teal and&nbsp;army green. Still love a good cobalt blue though :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1061111 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 17:37:27 +0000 Von 1061111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Pretty much I like the colors that I like...and I've never been the biggest fan of sticking to neutrals. I like mixing bold colors w/black and gray bottoms, and on occasion, I will find bold bottoms too. Some years, it's MUCH easier to shop for certain colors than others.&nbsp; I got emerald green pants this year, and those cobalt BR pants are calling my name. I will shop on color trend w/the designers sometimes because I KNOW it may be my only chance to find that item again.&nbsp; I missed the boat with mustard pants, and now, they are so hard to find!&nbsp; </p> <p>But, I have to balance out my desire for a certain color with buying and then looking like everyone else... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1061082 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 16:36:26 +0000 qfbrenda 1061082@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My color preferences have stayed mostly constant for the last twenty years.&nbsp; I don't expect them to change much any time soon. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1061065 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 16:22:01 +0000 Faith 1061065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What great replies! I'd like to respond in more depth when I have more than five minutes, but I'm mostly struck by one overwhelming theme, which is how well you each know yourselves! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060743 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 06:44:51 +0000 Jeanie 1060743@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mostly I stick to my tried and true colors but&nbsp;I am swayed by trends. &nbsp;I get excited about trying something new and sometimes discover a new color that looks good on me (like that reddish-coral that was the "it" color last year). &nbsp;If the trendy color doesn't work for my complexion, &nbsp;I will buy a belt or shoe with the trendy color (fluoresants come to mind here). &nbsp;I look forward to hearing the rest of your&nbsp;musings on color&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060738 Wed, 23 Oct 2013 06:16:22 +0000 fieldmouse 1060738@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>El Cee said, <ul> <li><i>As far as colors go, I pretty much just "like what I like" and am not<br /> generally swayed by trends. I stock up when my personal favorites are<br /> trending and just hope for the best when they are not.</i></li> </ul> That's me. Except black does not suit me at all, thus I try to avoid it, so grey is my "nearly always available" neutral. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060466 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:59:35 +0000 annagybe 1060466@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If it wasn't for trying a trendy color I would have not found one of my best colors. A few years the New York Times did a trend piece on mint in some resort collections. Before that I really wasn't a pastel person. I was very intrigued. Through some massive effort I found some pieces in mint. I looking really freaking good in mint. It's now one of my spring/summer colors. It's now much easier to find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060464 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:56:44 +0000 DeniseP 1060464@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A good while back (ten years?), the color brown was everywhere, and I mistakenly included waay too much of it in my wardrobe.<br /> Today, brown makes me nauseous and I won't wear it.<br /> I learned a much-needed lesson from that situation!<br /> So, I tend to wear only those colors good for me, not what's trending. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060458 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:47:57 +0000 Jjsloane 1060458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am reminded of the fabulous monologue from Miranda Priestly in "The Devil Wears Prada" in which she explains that the blue sweater is not a conscious choice, but one decided for her by fashion and the people that influence it.<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3490.Lauren_Weisberger">http://www.goodreads.com/autho.....Weisberger</a></p> <p>I have definite colors I dislike (burgundy, mint, mauve), but I am so influenced by what is being shown in fashion. I follow in waves adapting to the ones I am drawn to (blues, reds).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060454 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:41:51 +0000 Thistle 1060454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find the color trends of the season influence my ability to find a color I like in the stores. Occasionally, fashion will show me another color I like. Like cobalt blue. But burgundy, berry color, forest green, those colors look good on me and I like them regardless of the color of the season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060449 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 23:35:45 +0000 DonnaF 1060449@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmm.&nbsp; I think my color preferences remain the same; however, my purchases are influenced by the trends/fashion because those are the colors available in the stores!&nbsp; I look best in clear medium tone colors that are neutral (not cool) or are only slightly warm and are neither pastels nor highly saturated jewel tone ones.&nbsp; When orange, coral, and red orange were big colors, I knew I would be able to pick up items on markdown because a lot of women feel they can't wear those colors.&nbsp; I really want plum to be The Next Big Thing so I can scoop up all kinds of things! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060346 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 21:39:08 +0000 Irene 1060346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always loved green, most shades of green, since I was a little kid, and this hasn't changed. Red and hot pink love me back. </p> <p>I don't usually follow color trends, although I will stock up if one of my faves becomes trendy. </p> <p>I have discovered only recently the power of blue, but I don't think it's because of a trend. Navy blue is pretty much a neutral, I just didn't know it worked so well against my complexion until now.I also like certain shades of grey, although it's a color I still find difficult to like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060309 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 21:04:44 +0000 rachylou 1060309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I'm definitely trendy. If a colour is on trend, I'll pick something up in it. That said, there are some colours I really love and some I don't. I pretty much hate to wear yellow, for example, and always love navy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060281 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 20:48:16 +0000 Anonymous 1060281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you take away the flattery element, I have been consistent over decades loving oxblood to deep tomato red, cobalt to navy blue and turquoise. If they are together in the same pattern, I'm in love. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060273 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 20:41:12 +0000 Mrs Moo 1060273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi Faith</p> <p>Nope, definitely not influenced by passing trends, although it's super helpful when a colour I do love to wear and already have (hello oxblood) happens to begin trending!</p> <p>I have a set palette so to speak that I stick to and don't veer from at all. I absolutely love most colours, but pretty much everywhere except <b>on me</b>. I love seeing varied colours on others but I know if I were to wear them they'd just overwhelm me Sticking to lower contrasts works better for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/are-your-color-preferences-influenced-by-fashion#post-1060263 Tue, 22 Oct 2013 20:34:06 +0000 Ornella 1060263@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I stick to the colours&nbsp;I know work for me, make me feel happy and which energise me when I wear them. These also happen&nbsp;to&nbsp;get me a lot of&nbsp;compliments, so it's a nice confirmation that I'm not fooling myself that they actually suit me.&nbsp;So, no - I am&nbsp;not being swayed by trends.&nbsp;Occasionally something unusual will slip in for whatever reason - but I now can identify that reason and I can&nbsp;justify it. </p>