YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Color palette expansion, or not

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Color palette expansion, or not https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:40:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php unfrumped on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1599614 Thu, 07 Jan 2016 23:31:04 +0000 unfrumped 1599614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ bettycrocker, that is a good strategy. Black pants and skirts still have a strong place in my wardrobe because there is just so much more selection in that color, to try to get the right fit, and also in better quality items which are often in just a few neutrals. Anonymous on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1598574 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 18:22:23 +0000 Anonymous 1598574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I do black a certain way, as it's not one of my best colors. Whenever I wear black bottoms (skirt or pants) and black shoes, I make sure to wear a printed top that has black in it (but not too much) plus my skin and/or hair color to tie it with my personal coloring, and preferably one or more other rather soft and warmish colors to add interest. unfrumped on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1598393 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 03:08:16 +0000 unfrumped 1598393@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ DonnaF, I like darkish, nearly- neutral footwear instead of black, too, when I can find the right ones. I like how Bridgette Raes mixes colors , too. I'm less into bright " pops" though. jmcdonn, I need " kinder" colors also! Hence honing in on medium- deep. Soft dark, deep soft, who knows what they are called! DonnaF on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1598382 Mon, 04 Jan 2016 02:32:44 +0000 DonnaF 1598382@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was limiting my color/neutral palette -- and then Bridgette Raes's blog started to permeate my subconscious.  She is totally against black footwear and maybe black slacks as well.  (She has brown hair btw.)  She likes to mix all types of colors and neutrals maybe even more than Angie, so both of them have given me *permission* to wear combos I might not have considered on my own.  So in my quest to avoid black footwear, in the past couple of months I've bought forest green booties and brown booties.  I only have a few green items of clothing and nothing in that type of brown, so this was pretty huge for me.  But then I figured out that I had a number of scarves with brown and leopard patterned clutches.  I've found that mixing a lot of neutrals/colors can work if I use colors in my various scarves as a guide.  And that my olive utility vest *goes* with a lot of outfits because I don't own anything else in that color! Anonymous on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1598245 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 15:15:09 +0000 Anonymous 1598245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have neutral coloring and find I look best in colors that are neither too warm nor too cool. It's like walking a tightrope, really, but over the years I've gotten better at choosing my best colors. The color analysis I had years ago was incorrect, so I've had to read a lot, experiment and figure things out by myself. Anonymous on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1598221 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 11:22:20 +0000 Anonymous 1598221@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Summer's idea of deciding on a cool or warm palette resonates with me because I personally have difficulty mixing warm and cool colors in a single outfit.   I do love the idea of defining a color palette though.  It narrows buying mistakes.  I defined my color palette based on what made me happiest.  Certain colors attract me and others repel me.  I assume on some level the colors that attract me are the ones I look best in.  I can't say for certain.  Color theory is not my strong suit and I have never had my colors done.   Right now my color palette is very limited.  The first wheel is my winter color scheme.  It is somewhat limited, but it works for me right now.  My color preferences explode in spring and summer but I always maintain a tight control on the base colors.  jmcdonn on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1598198 Sun, 03 Jan 2016 07:54:44 +0000 jmcdonn 1598198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Having been a Soft Autumn until two years ago (the drapes gradually showed a cool undertone dominating the warm undertone) the True Summer colours now seem my best.  With a swatch of 60 colours, I have now settled on mid-grey, light navy, taupe and beige for my neutrals.  I love olive green and have a couple of pieces (which really don't do me any favours - need to use it on my bottom half) - a love affair from when I could wear it well.  I find I now need 'kinder' colours such as mid-mauve, pink, aqua and mid blue - and I feel myself when wearing them. Aida on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516544 Wed, 08 Jul 2015 00:41:26 +0000 Aida 1516544@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Can't provide anything regarding color restrictions since I like to wear All The Colors (and All The Prints, but that's another topic...), but I did want to add a quick thought about colors and your own coloring: I have found that if we have colors that flatter us, particularly if you stick to either warm OR cool, there is a good chance that we can mix them with each other since they will already have similar underlying tones. Just a thought for when you feel like adding a surprise additional color -- just make sure it jives in tone (warm/cool) with the rest of your wardrobe, and is truly a flattering shade for you. Helena on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516481 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 22:17:55 +0000 Helena 1516481@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Unfrumped, you do sound like a cool or soft summer to me too ... I will say I think your solution is in your question. You mention colors that look good on your are medium-cool - sort of medium saturation and brightness, if I understand. I suspect that of you choose colors with those qualities, they will mix together very well in lots of combinations! unfrumped on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516478 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 22:07:16 +0000 unfrumped 1516478@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ smittie, I'm cool, you right! Meaning, I'm more cool than neutral and prefer mostly cool colors anyway, but am a fan of autumn colors (visually) as well. Maneera, navy, or actually Angie's ink, does not like me very well, as it is also too harsh. I don't do well in blues much at all but when I do, it is what is sometimes called "light navy," as well as  denim(s) which sometimes I think is due to the texture denim brings to blue and not only the color, or  in non-denim, a medium-dark blue; or medium teal. But cooler colors in the "red" side of the color wheel  are better. Anonymous on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516454 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 21:24:38 +0000 Anonymous 1516454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi unfrumped -  I'm quite restrained with colours. I have almost exclusively greys, blues, and white! I am a cool summer for sure - a very non-neutral season. I think that might be what you are, from your description of yourself. I dislike quite a lot of the colours in my season (soft purples and sort of these kiddie colours) so that's why I have just 3 colours. This year, I bought a few things that had interesting texture, cut, and pattern to keep me from being bored. unfrumped on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516433 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 20:05:01 +0000 unfrumped 1516433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am enjoying the comments;  thank you. Yes, 2 things I began to notice also is that I like to repeat colors in the outfit. I think this is why I've gravitated to footwear in shades of burgundy or gray, or 2-tones, I burgundy and black, or cream and black, and now an olive-gray. I may even be too matchy, sometimes it's intentional, sometimes it's just the shoe that works with the bottoms and then the top matches or not. These new colors gave a lot of outfit happiness compared to black pants + black shoes. And also I look for necklaces that add color to gray top, or gray or black to a colored top. Scarves, too, though those have limitations, not feasible some days.  Specifically colored necklaces are harder than you'd think, because I don't want just any plasticky version, I'd like it to look  more refined. So it's definitely costume jewelry territory but tricky. celia on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516244 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 14:20:14 +0000 celia 1516244@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I often get very confused on what my coloring is and what colors I 'should ' wear. I also got rid of most of my browns because it is a color that is difficult to match with others and still make happy outfits for me. Especially my colors for winter are very difficult to get because suddenly my skin tone takes a dive and nothing but jewel tones seem to look good. There are colors that I know look good and when I see them I usually pounce on them but sometimes I also crave a specific color, like for example green ,that doesn't go with most of my wardrobe but has a calming effect some days. Carla on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516135 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:26:26 +0000 Carla 1516135@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ A limited palette is working very well for me, but wardrobe cohesion and happiness came with the introduction of a couple pieces with patterns from which I pulled my expansion colours. So, navy with some black, grey and white make up most of my garments, but 3 print items provide inspiration for complimentary colours, and I have focused on an icy blue (pulled from a navy floral skirt), red (pulled from the black abstract print skirt) and olive (in both skirts). I also have striped and checked items combining a colour and white. Solid on solid works, but pattern added the joy and increases the happiness factor. Summer on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516130 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:06:11 +0000 Summer 1516130@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Even with neutral colouring, I think it helps if you can decide whether you prefer warm or cool colours, unless you have the budget and closet space to accommodate both.  Having all cool or all warm makes oufit/capsule building so much easier, as Deborah mentions. My own (very small) wardrobe is built around three neutrals: navy, silver grey and white which all mix well together as well as with my cool accent colours - blues, berry shades, teal, aquas and soft purple colours.  I do have a little black, but use it very sparingly.  For me, this leads to easy, stress-free dressing and shopping. As for greys, I think it's worth being really picky about which shades work best for you.  The wrong grey can be truly detrimental to your look - especially near your face.    lyn67 on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516127 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 10:00:20 +0000 lyn67 1516127@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I stopped brainstorming about my personal color analysis and such time consuming and never really working things, and went rather with my guts. I also used to think I have forbidden colors, but not anymore (perhaps the soul sucking beige when worn in a big flat block). The truth is that color has to be REPEATED (and RELATED to other colors) for achieving some harmony-see for example in art or photograhpy. I learned this also by reading Maria Killam's  blog  and it proved to be working so well when decorating my home. Vivienne Files has also great examples of capsules in any color palettes-even those you would never give it a penny to work. And, they DO work brilliantly! The key is repeating them somewhere else on  your body (even hair, eye, teeth, nails and skin color counts) but  of course tying them together with prints, blocks and accessories (specs included!)  is the classic way to go.  Needless to say,  I also have my favorite and flattering combinations which I have built my wardrobe around(bl&w, cream, grey, taupe, and some accents of coral, turquoise, citron, teal and burgundy) but I don't really freak out if my guts want something else. It's mostly rather upon your willingness to engage in making it work, or not!   Deborah on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516100 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 06:27:59 +0000 Deborah 1516100@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love the sound of what you are doing and the berry and fuchsia tones sound gorgeous with your blacks and greys. With regard to your comment about your grey tops not being 'alive' colours, have you considered bringing them to life with accessories. Scarves / necklaces, not necessarily in metals but also colours. These may not be your taste but just for the general idea... both by fabulous Aussie design team Dinosaur Designs:) I have limited my colour palette to black, grey, white and navy.  I then added accents with cobalt and red as these are the colours that I find most flattering for me.  Most of my colour (and I will admit there is not much) comes by way of my accessories ie. handbags, scarves and jewellery even lipstick. I have found this works extremely well for me and I am very satisfied. I can mix my blacks, greys, whites and navy together and my colbalt and red works with any of my neutrals.  My wardrobe kind of all goes together so I find that the I have plenty of variety in terms of combinations. Maneera on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516065 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 03:38:02 +0000 Maneera 1516065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I love taupe with black - it's a good combination. I have two tone shoes in that combination too. Also, I think your black, berry and grey outfits will look good with navy. Wherever a black or grey blazer doesn't work, a true navy blue or one that leans towards ink blue might be the solution. unfrumped on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516062 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 03:20:50 +0000 unfrumped 1516062@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Joy, that is right.  Its not that I want a rigid color palette- I just wanted more cohesiveness and less entropy. But then I feel I'm passing up some good items or at risk of orphans if not able to match up.  Anonymous on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1516052 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 02:56:10 +0000 Anonymous 1516052@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I know just how you feel. I tried to eliminate some colors from my wardrobe, attempting to create a smaller, more cohesive closet. I've given up. Browns were one of the first colors eliminated. After a year I was craving brown. I have added some back but it has been hard to find. It seems like each color that I cut becomes something that I really miss. What I have been able to do is cut shades of a color that are not as flattering. Tomato red is my best red, so I say no to most other shades of red. I tried cutting navy but really missed it. It's a good neutral for me. If you cut out certain colors, you may find yourself missing them very much over time. carter on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1515971 Tue, 07 Jul 2015 00:09:58 +0000 carter 1515971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ First, I love taupe with gray, so definitely give that one a try. Second, I can totally relate with the warm/cool waffling a bit. My guess, as you said is that you lean more neutral, so both warm and cool colors can work well for you. I think I look best in cool colors, but I also think I look better in gold rather than silver. I love olive, but I look less green when I stick to pants. I love tomato red, but I look horribly jaundiced in it. These colors are easy to see that I should love them from afar. Orange and lime green are a different story though. If they're deep enough, they can look good on me. So, I have two orange knit tops and two lime knit tops. They don't get anywhere near the same amount of wear as my pinks, violets, and blues, but they make me happy. All this to say that you should buy and enjoy what you love, but you don't have to make a major commitment. retailgirl on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1515955 Mon, 06 Jul 2015 23:43:42 +0000 retailgirl 1515955@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My hair is now salt and pepper...more salt than pepper! But when I had dark brown, almost black hair, Browns, esp. Those that had black or burgundy tones looked good. ( I have green eyes.). But now my neutrals are black, navy and gray and it makes choosing accessories easy. But I still wear the occasional olive piece, ( matches my eyes, so it works) . Color theory is great but sometimes you have to rely on how it looks to you...if you love it, wear it! Alassë on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1515951 Mon, 06 Jul 2015 23:36:30 +0000 Alassë 1515951@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was nodding my head at several paragraphs, so unfortunately no solutions for you. Staysfit on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1515941 Mon, 06 Jul 2015 23:05:26 +0000 Staysfit 1515941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am so happy I took the time to find someone who did professional color typing. I have a specific palette to choose from and everything mixes and matches. I have options for my neutrals within the palette so there is versatility, and I can make smaller wardrobe capsule palettes out of my favorite combinations from the larger grouping, but still feel confident that when I find something also within the larger palette it will match. Obviously color doesn't take proportion and style into consideration. I may have a wonderful topper that should match but the proportions are wrong. unfrumped on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1515940 Mon, 06 Jul 2015 22:55:50 +0000 unfrumped 1515940@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sometimes I think my ideal color palette would be fairly complex, hence is not achievable!  I like several neutrals that honestly I don't think work together--I believe in theory that you can mix a lot of neutrals, but in practice is is  harder, especially since white, a great bridger, is not one of my colors, for the most part. I like some browns, and lots of grays, and would mix a tree-bark palette but they have to be just right, plus other real colors that don't completely play well together as mix and match, plus actually come up with a polished outfit (casual and when denim is included, is easier).  So I don't really get to put together some really rich, creative combinations that I would like. Or at least so far. It's one reason why I've always liked tweedy fabrics, that mix several colors work as connectors. Thistle on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1515884 Mon, 06 Jul 2015 21:06:52 +0000 Thistle 1515884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I eliminated almost all brown - I am down to 2 pairs of straw colored trousers, both which I pair with berry colored tops and footwear or gold footwear to bookend AND lengthen the leg line. The chocolate brown etc. is completely gone. I do so love my neutrals of cream, white, black and dark navy. But I add fun colors, too. Mostly cool colors as those look the best on me, but I found a fun bright plum top and decided to try it. The color made me happy, so there you go! unfrumped on "Color palette expansion, or not" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/color-palette-expansion-or-not#post-1515882 Mon, 06 Jul 2015 21:00:19 +0000 unfrumped 1515882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Trying to keep a focused color palette   has been a help toward wardrobe satisfaction and versatility—focusing on cooler colors, gray, some black (less for tops, more for bottoms, footwear, and sometimes a black topper is just so versatile), berry tones, fuchsia and some orchids when I can find them. Moved away from brown, though I actually love cool browns, including brown with purple, and black with some browns, but I had ended up running 2 dark neutrals that often competed, required separate accessories. Got rid bright reds, olive and taupes that were hard to mix with other pieces. I’m still in the weeds about color type, as I don’t fit the very dark, strong Winter colors but may be Soft Winter or Dark Summer or something—medium dark colors, not very deep ones, and not very bright or hot colors, but not dusty. Sigh. I think I may run cool to neutral, and can wear a few warmer colors, or maybe it’s just those universal colors or “cooler” versions of warmer colors. I’m very okay with buying and wearing whatever looks good and will try colors on for that purpose—I don’t carry a color chart around with me. Anyhoo, I have ended up with myriad gray tops which work but often are JFE, not really “alive” colors, just because a lot of time my best colors are not available in work-wear items. I do strive for tops in burgundies and berry tones but still don’t find as many “real colors” as I’d like. So the point is that outfit-happiness is highly related to wearing “face colors” that are flattering and brightening.  I would like to wear more good, rich colors more often because they are better for that than most neutrals. Which brings me back to, I came back around to trying some olive and some taupe, and “cooler” rust tones, because I found some items in good styles, typically a nice knitwear, and tonal quality that looked “healthy,” but I don’t want to go overboard and get into a confused color palette again. The hard part about going farther afield with colors is having a complete “3-piece” outfit with topper, because I can usually get any color top to go with black pants, say, but adding a blazer or jacket becomes more problematic—e.g., trying not to depend on black jackets; gray jackets don’t mix with the taupe or olive. In fact, having really great 3-piece outfits is harder than I thought, as I found out when I needed polished, professional outfits for some meetings, after not focusing on toppers for awhile, because not only colors but proportions are very critical (jacket fit and length for skirts vs pants and for the styles) and fabrications, too. In trying to find a happy medium, I think the solution is in restraint and in capsule-thinking. For example, keep up a capsule of several well-coordinated, complete outfits in my grays/black/berry tones because those are easiest to find, mix,  and update in typical business or polished business casual (tropical wool or other good quality fabric pants and skirts, better  knits or silky blouses, good jackets, modern but neutral footwear). Then, run some small capsules   in some alternate colors, especially when sans topper (such as chunky sweater/pants-skirt outfits, trendy knit sweaters,  that can stand alone and are not being depended upon for formal business meetings, etc,. This is where I might get my taupe-y fix or wear olive for summer and fall. Also summer toppers for me can include some off-white, which is JFE, and then the topper is JFE while the richer color is in the top.  The second feature that I think helps is if the color goes with different “seasonal neutrals”. For example, I got an olive linen sweater that goes with white , tan and black pants and so can give   different seasonal vibes; a taupe linen knit top that goes with   several flowered and patterned skirts but also with solid classic items. This makes the “odd color” versatile in its own way. How about you—what are your stories of color-restraint or color-starvation and how have you balanced it? Any good tips or discoveries?