YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Colour Musings

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Colour Musings https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:12:20 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php JJ PNW on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2342472 Wed, 25 Oct 2023 15:57:57 +0000 JJ PNW 2342472@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Stumbled across your palette passport and love the concept! My colors are similar to yours and love the groupings you’ve put together along with seasonal purchases. Inspiration!! Anonymous on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2342065 Thu, 19 Oct 2023 23:42:13 +0000 Anonymous 2342065@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I enjoyed reading your musings, Helen and your color block sweater.  I will be on the look out for color block sweaters now.  What a great idea.   slim cat on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341956 Wed, 18 Oct 2023 02:50:06 +0000 slim cat 2341956@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Fun read - love your passport colors! You look great in neutrals but I love seeing you in pink as well! I've thought about mine and came up with a few : Dark neutral - charcoal ( black for work as an easy way out, or navy as a future possibility ) Light neutral - white Midtone - blue denim Cold weather/Warm weather assent - turquoise ( sometimes yellow for summer ) Favorite color - light blue Power color - aqua  It basically comes down to very few colors to make my life a bit easier -  lol . Helena on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341919 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:27:49 +0000 Helena 2341919@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ suntiger, I think your way of customizing it makes perfect sense! Irina, for me accent colour are ones I can just sort of throw in for fun ... they could be an accessory, a top or whatever. I think a pattern could be an "accent colour" of sorts, or a level of contrast, or as in your case, a neutral! Mary Beth, thank you and that makes sense to me - my power colours also make me happy; actually all my colours do - and if there is overlap, all the better; multipurpose!! Pink for me is particularly one that I just love for no practical reason whatsoever Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341915 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 13:01:23 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 2341915@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Helena, I always think how much you resemble Catherine, Princess of Wales, and it doesn’t surprise me to see that your palette resembles the colors I often see her wear.   <div> </div><div>You have some interesting classifications with “power” and “happy” colors.  I feel green and blue ocean colors fit the bill for both, for me.   </div> Irina on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341911 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 12:23:35 +0000 Irina 2341911@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Love you colors, Helena. And thanks for sharing this concept. I’m like lyn67, have all the neutrals :)  Dark : black and dark navy Light: white and cream Midtones: beige and now gray  I get confused with accent colors. What are those? Are they colors of your accessories? Mine are mostly neutrals, too. I have a small number of summer clothes in blue and some all season in olive/khaki. <div>I don’t have a favorite color or a power color. Funny, in the summer if I want to stand out, I’m more likely to consider all white outfit. </div> Anonymous on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341903 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:58:42 +0000 Anonymous 2341903@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sounds like the color passport works better for higher contrast coloring. I'd choose black as my dark neutral, dark brown as my midtone neutral, and cognac and camel as my light neutral! Non neutrals- navy, teal, burgundy (winter), warm purple, olive, forest green, rust, salmon (spring), and mustard. Love your wardrobe capsules! Big yay to figuring out where in an outfit you like to wear colors, but also I'd add when (season or occasion) and what pairings. Helena on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341901 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:31:59 +0000 Helena 2341901@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie quite right about blue with black bottoms! Great point. Lyn, that's so funny ... We are kindred colour spirits ... To me neutrals are just so easy ... Plus I'm pretty sensitive to colour so neutrals are calming and soothing. The opposite is true for others (looking at Angie!) ... Horses for courses it's all good if it makes you happy imo. Kkards your wardrobe is a perfect base for pops of red! kkards on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341900 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 11:26:57 +0000 kkards 2341900@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I never wore a lot of brights, but like Carla, in past couple of years, I stopped wearing them all together.  But this year, I’m seeing red! Added a red coat, and a red sweater, and I’m on the hunt for either a red boot or a red flat.   lyn67 on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341887 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 08:08:48 +0000 lyn67 2341887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Loved to read this post, for various reasons especially about how great of an analytical person you are, Helena! Can you pls provide some info's or a link ref. the ""colour passport" (Bobbi Thomas concept)" you are mentioning at the beginning of your thread? I would enjoy digging deeper in this very new to me subject, thanx for posting! ETA: Ah I didn't see your later comment on explaining things better-so I already got part of my answer...thank you!:-) And, now to add my two cents. I love colors but always build my outfits on neutrals and they are ALL the cold, the warm and the midtone neutrals listend by you there(!!!!). I guess I am a neutral girl at my heart (which I guessed already) -but was surprised to see I am mostly and constantly attracted by these neutrals in the first place. Sometimes even my accent&power colors are also choosen from these 6x neutrals---so they make out a big chunk of my clothes...What does this say about me??? And, I do have the same problem with navy- it is not that failproof to me to replace blacks or browns....Wow, very interesting-will have to think twice on it for myself!:-) Star (Lise) on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341882 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 07:42:06 +0000 Star (Lise) 2341882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Interesting - thanks Helena!  Going to ponder this later. Angie on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341873 Tue, 17 Oct 2023 01:23:57 +0000 Angie 2341873@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Nice musings, Helena! Blues are good with BLACK, which you wear well. Blue on top, and black at the bottom. Just a thought :) Yes! Add warm earth tones to your Winter wardrobe. It's a long season. Good with blue jeans. Nice for a boots-bag-belt complement. Olive is good with your hazel eyes! Browns are lovely with your hair.  My power colours: sour brights! New to me since going back to my natural darker honey blonde hair - tan, oatmeal, and whiskey look great! Helena on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341867 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:15:01 +0000 Helena 2341867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes well said! And "all the colours" is an equally valid colour strategy *thumbs up* SarahD8 on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341866 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 23:12:49 +0000 SarahD8 2341866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thank you for that rundown, Helena, it's super interesting! I will ponder further, but I fear I may be stuck in "I cannot pick a favorite" territory. I do think my "power color" is green. Or maybe certain shades of blue...Oh dear, you see the problem! Re: navy as a neutral, you know, what you are saying makes total sense to me. I have certain neutrals that I only want to wear in certain "places" in an outfit. Cognac footwear is a signature for me, but I don't wear brown other than that. I loooooove a white blouse, but I'm not interested in white jeans. Etc... Some colors are like that too! I love coral in spring, but have realized that I really only want to wear it in accessories. So I think it's all about figuring out *how* you want to wear a shade, and sticking to that. Helena on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341864 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:57:28 +0000 Helena 2341864@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ SF thank you! you are fab in earth tones. I'm sure I was born in jewel tones My mom used to choose them for me! The colour passport was from the Bobbie Thomas book the Power of Style, which I can't find many references for online, so here's the basic concept as I remember and use it. Basically she says to figure out whether you are warm or cool (and your colour season if possible, then create your palette this way: Dark Neutral - Choose black for cool tones, brown for warm tones Light Neutral - Choose white for cool tones, cream for warm tones (wear your dark neutral and light neutral in combination for a chic look) Midtone - Choose gray for cool tones, tan for warm tones (incorporate for a more relaxed look) Cold weather accent - choose any colour that flatters you that you enjoy adding for cold seasons Warm weather accent - same idea Favourite colour - your happy colour - doesn't matter whether it aligns with your season or anything, just the one you love to wear the most Power colour - a really flattering, stronger colour that makes you pop - where when you want to stand out and shine Clearly, I don't follow it exactly - for example I am currently using taupe rather than grey as my midtone, but I find the overall concept helpful, flexible and allows for personal taste and flattery in combination. To your point about navy Sarah, yes I always keep navy in mind as a black alternative, but I realize looking at this that I need to continue being careful. For example, my navy sweaters don't function like black for me (yeah yeah, I know, I'm nitpicky here but that's me as SF says, they don't work for me with jeans ergo by my logic they aren't neutral) ... but say a navy coat would probably function as a neutral, especially if it was really inky. So I don't really consider navy to be failsafe enough to make the passport lol   Style Fan on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341861 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:21:25 +0000 Style Fan 2341861@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am curious about the colour passport concept.  I stick with the tried and true.  I was probably born in earth tones.  In public school, all my friends were wearing purple and pink.  I was wearing brown and olive green. I agree with Carla.  Helena, you look so good in jewel tones.  I am also hesitant to wear blues or teal with jeans.   SarahD8 on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341860 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 22:09:51 +0000 SarahD8 2341860@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh this looks like a super interesting exercise and I can see how helpful it's been for you! Is there anyplace we can read about the basics of this color passport idea? I googled but didn't immediately find anything. I am intrigued (another thing to analyze!!!!) although sort of befuddled by the distinction between accent color/happy color/statement color. Might be one of those things that just intuitively hits for some folks...whereas I am like, give me ALL THE COLORS lol.  Your analysis here seems solid. Wondering what you are thinking these days about the idea of a navy-neutrals capsule that came up a while back -- as a break from black and also to mix-and-match with it? Helena on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341853 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:25:11 +0000 Helena 2341853@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Carla, your light blue capsule is lovely, and I especially love that button up ... It's perfect! Thanks for the kind comments on the colours. I suspect that part of it is that I haven't been feeling my silhouette for the last few years so quiet colours were compensating a little ... for example, bright pink in the slouchy sweater and body sweatshirt feels just right ... So who knows, maybe more colours will crop up as I move into the next leg of my style journey Carla on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341851 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:18:33 +0000 Carla 2341851@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You look so good in jewel tones mixed with your darks (black and denim).  The Apple green and the hot pink are winners!  From past posts I get that you don’t want to stand out, but for the life of me I don’t know why - when these bolder colours work so well!  Totally understand about the usefulness of cool beige for you.  The right beige for a person can really make a difference.  It works with both the blacks and the whites.  Add a colour, and you’ve got a winning combo. I went through a dark period in 2021-2022, and bright colours felt off.  Even my signature red!  I’m in a happier place, and most of my purchases in 2023 are quite light.  I’ve been building a light blue capsule.   Helena on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341850 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:08:31 +0000 Helena 2341850@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ CG, that's a great point - all my future sweaters might be colourblock!! I agree ... flexibility and a gentle approach works best for me Cardiff girl on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341849 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:50:47 +0000 Cardiff girl 2341849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Well l like that sweater,it allows one to remain undecided! In theory l try and stick to a formula of base neutrals then pops of colour  as it makes mixing and matching easier but l can be distracted from the plan as my wardrobe will testify.Sounds like you have a plan but are willing to be flexible which is the best way to be l think. Helena on "Colour Musings" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/colour-musings#post-2341848 Mon, 16 Oct 2023 19:43:02 +0000 Helena 2341848@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hi all, just playing around with Finds and created collections based on my "colour passport" (Bobbi Thomas concept) which I use as a *flexible and rough* tool of wardrobe management. My capsules don't show every item I have, but do represent the broad strokes. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/finds/collections/?member=torontogirl">https://youlookfab.com/finds/c.....orontogirl</a> A couple of things I learned through this exercise which will be useful going forward, I think: - black works great as my base colour, so nothing new there. However, I have PLENTY so no need for more black unless it's an item I truly don't have in the shade and really think I'll wear - white is my light neutral and a smattering does the job. Sorted here too I think. - taupe and cool beige is my midtone neutral. I have a good little capsule here. Flat shoes (loafers perhaps) for spring are on my wishlist. I know this is a shade that comes and goes so I'm milking the availability right now. - shades of blue are my favourite colours for warm weather. I find it harder to wear in cold weather though - probably because I wear jeans a lot and don't love wearing them together. This explains why a few items that theoretically should be slam-dunks don't get worn all that much. Blue is an easy colour for me but I should proceed with caution if it's a cold weather item and make sure I'm happy wearing it with all my jeans - shades of red and burgundy are my accent colours for cold weather. I love the pieces I have and would consider another sweater perhaps, IF the right one came up - pink is my happy colour, from soft blush to bright! I have a smattering of it and don't need more - but I should stay open for serendipitous finds in this colour! - green is my statement colour. I seem to enjoy bolder and deeper shades (I include green-blues in this). A little green goes a long way in my wardrobe. Love what I have currently and don't feel the need for more. - I have a very few random colours, in that they don't fit into the passport laid out above - but these aren't adventurous and include brown, caramel, and olive. This makes me wonder if a small warm capsule is in order? Although warm tones aren't my best, I *think* some of the more neutral leaning ones work okay. Caramel that's not too orange is a favourite visually, and I learned from my new sweater that includes deep olive colour blocks that it's a great eye enhancer for my hazel-green eyes. Will give this some thought.  Have you changed your colour strategy lately? Or are you sticking to your tried and true? Find is the 'random' colourblock sweater that inspired this inquiry!