https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 16 Apr 2026 19:42:17 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928833 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:24:21 +0000 3style 1928833@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Bj111, I truly appreciate your advice. There are so many different subtopics that I could respond to embedded in your suggestions. My head is spinning, and I don’t know where to begin.... </p> <p>My understanding was that the topic of this particular thread was whether people had a preference for black versus navy, or whether they were choosing both. I tried to report upon my current situation, and somehow this has now become a thread all about me. And I’m not super comfortable with that. </p> <p>I’m not saying that you offended me, only that I don’t currently have my own blog. Therefore there isn’t any easy way for people to keep track of what I’m saying, and there’s a limit to how much time I can spend repeating myself. </p> <p>I’ll respond back to Joy later today. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928720 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 02:03:16 +0000 Anonymous 1928720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For a small closet with one dark neutral, I think navy would be best because most people like it as a year round color, so your basics can more easily overlap seasons. The down side ( at least for me) would be finding all the basic pieces I want at once and in the same shade of navy...a big lay out of money. Except for prints, I can't pick up pieces of navy here and there and be sure that they would work with what I have. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928714 Fri, 15 Jun 2018 00:26:54 +0000 bj1111 1928714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@3style, that is a pickle tonhave most of your dark color workhorses to give up the ghost at the same time. </p> <p>Not sure how to unstick you especially given your sensitive eye for color and texture. And of course the affordability of filling out this capsule all at once. </p> <p>Summer is almost over. Are you sorted for items here regardless of color? If so, then focus on fall and winter. Suggest that you buy two pieces to be worn together in coordinating navy tones...eg sweater and pants. Then force yourself to try on one of the pieces with some of the black pieces. Eg wear a black coat + sweater and pants, sweater+any top that looks good with navy+black pants</p> <p>Then post the outfit for feedback. It may be just getting your eye used to combo in actuality rather than in theory. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928695 Thu, 14 Jun 2018 22:22:26 +0000 3style 1928695@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie, I have roughly 90 pieces, excluding gear, pajamas, etc. but including tank tops that can be worn on their own, but which are mostly used as camisoles. However, I'm at a particularly stuck point with dark essentials. </p> <p>My current problem is that I only have 6 decent dark essentials out of about 30 of my darker-colored heavy hitting essentials: basic dark bottoms and jeans, nicer toppers, wool coat, basic dark knits, dark dresses etc., are all right on the verge of wearing out, or are significantly too large. Furthermore, many of the larger garments have been taken in once already, but even for the few that haven't, I'm thinking that I might end up with a better fit with fresh items. And this problem extends to nicer (dark) summer clothing casual as well, nicer dark tees and shorts, etc... I don't quite know how it happened, but all of the dark items quit working all at once. Partly, it's just that I've had more success refreshing the lighter essentials. I got 9 of my summer light-colored essentials, (plus potentially three on order). I also got 3 mid-tone completer pieces. I've mostly been concentrating on sandals, shoes, underpinnings, swimwear. I'm suddenly not the same size in just about every category.&nbsp;</p> <p>My five out of my six best (newest) dark essential items are black, and one is very dark green. That's why I feel like I just cannot afford to branch out right now. Some days right now, I'm wearing clothing looser than I would like. There's a physical an upper limit to that, because sometimes being too big actually makes clothing chafe.&nbsp;</p> <p>As "luck" would have it, I returned the navy pants for for black, which I did at the end of a long day.&nbsp; And I decided to risk not trying the black ones out in the store. And the black pants are are incredibly large! A bit exasperated now. This is the second garment out of less then a dozen recently at Ann Taylor where two items that are labelled with the same size were not in actuality the same.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928215 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 13:30:44 +0000 Angie 1928215@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>3Style</b>, I still don't think you need to separate black and dark blue i <br />you're on half the size of my wardrobe. I have about 125 pieces. And you?&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928199 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 12:30:02 +0000 Christina F. 1928199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Angie, I wear both and don’t really separate them out. I will say I gravitate to black more in the winter and navy more in the summer, but that’s not a hard and fast rule. I just duplicated some ankle pants I liked a lot in both navy and black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928166 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 09:43:39 +0000 bj1111 1928166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Sterling, you are not alone in this. Hubs has the eye. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928155 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 09:20:42 +0000 Anonymous 1928155@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>3Style </b>-- I'm really glad you found the black pants. &nbsp;With the exception of beige I am personally NOT good at assessing how colors look on me. &nbsp;I can't really see a difference whether I wear black or navy. &nbsp;This inability to assess colors on myself has always bothered me because I can so easily see it in other people. Obviously if you can detect differences in shades of navy, then <u>your eye is excellent at this</u>. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1928091 Wed, 13 Jun 2018 02:29:15 +0000 3style 1928091@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Followed through with returning the navy pants at Ann Taylor and luckily some black ones were available there as well, so I didn’t need to make another order. </p> <p>Definitely been realizing that whether navy suits my complexion or not is very shade dependent. Whereas whether black suits me is more texture/sheen dependent. Have a limited black patent tolerance. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927350 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 18:05:41 +0000 Penny 1927350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yet another interesting thread, Sterling! I adore both, although I prefer navy dresses where I can find them, often to pair with a black belt, shoes, and other black accessories (this approach works well for me in a professional setting because it makes it seem more deliberate - I agree that a black blazer with a navy bottom would feel off to me; whereas a black blazer with a navy dress, black belt, and black shoes feels pulled together). Agreed that there’s no need to pick a favorite if you like and need both, and whether worn together or apart, your capsules sound like a good solution. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927259 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 12:38:22 +0000 Anonymous 1927259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi <b>3Style</b> -- I wasn't around yesterday and am just now catching up on my reading. &nbsp;I am committed to two, but equal, capsules. &nbsp;I can easily wear black and navy together in casual settings. &nbsp;I have a harder time combining them in a work setting because a black blazer with navy slacks looks completely wrong to me. &nbsp;</p> <p>Matching blacks and navys is important to me. &nbsp;I am sensitive to colors and seeing black that clash or navys that don't quite match is disconcerting. &nbsp;So far, I have not experienced that in my tiny capsules, but it is obviously something I need to think about going forward. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927231 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 05:14:00 +0000 L'Abeille 1927231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I live in a four season climate extreme enough that very few items are truly trans-seasonal. My winter neutral is black, with white, red, and grey as my colours/accents (including some toppers). Most if not all of my winter footwear (boots and indoor shoes) is black.</p> <p>My summer neutral is navy, with white, red, and some mid-tone blues. I also have a smaller black capsule for summer that I mix in. Summer footwear and accessory complements include navy, white, red, cognac, and taupe.</p> <p>When it became the thing to mix navy and black, I thought I would achieve a trans-seasonal wardrobe, but other than the occasional Breton T with black pants, I gave up.</p> <p>I never really got the uniform vibe with navy (except one outfit with striped shirt and navy vest that made me feel like a train conductor). On the other hand, I thrifted a good navy trench coat that never worked as I expected. I always felt like a Stormtrooper in it. Then I took a close look in bright sunlight, and it was actually black. (Moral: sometimes black is the colour with military connotations. ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927228 Sun, 10 Jun 2018 03:42:56 +0000 3style 1927228@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sterling, I kind of lost track of your conclusions. There were lots of interesting comments from people responding to your original statement. Are you going to forge ahead with mostly navy? Or pursue two separate black and navy business capsules? And do you wear both colors casually as well? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927147 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 18:51:27 +0000 3style 1927147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks everyone for contributing to this thread. I’ve sorted out what things make sense in my scenarios. </p> <p>First, I realized that I wasn’t counting a few of my most casual “borrowed from the boys” looking items as navy toppers. For example, I have a subdued red white and blue (warm muted shades of all three) plaid shirt which is oversized and which I can put several layers underneath in winter. And a rugby style open weave pullover with a big purplish navy stripe on a vanilla background, as well another sporty navy pullover. So, one category of navy toppers for me has become my most relaxed and recharged (but not at all dressy) toppers. </p> <p>Another category is more smart casual. That’s where the slightly ill-fitting garments live. That’s also where Breton tops fit in. I think I can expand better on those with white shoes and jewelry, than with dressy navy pants which still get me stuck for toppers. See my recent post about my white sandals phobic for details. </p> <p>The third is on the nicer end of business casual down to business formal. I don’t have anything good in navy in that category. I own a long navy shirt-dress that was once quite formal, but that has gotten too large and it makes it much more casual. </p> <p>I’m sitting here typing this in a very casual navy and white (with a bit of yellow, pink, and mint) dress. </p> <p>Clearly I’m not that motivated to update dressy navy that’s no longer dressy. However I am motivated to refresh my black more readily. </p> <p>The Ann Taylor pants that I referred to previously are “dense twill” which makes them more suiting like, but they don’t come with a coordinated jacket. And I think I’m not currently interested in finding a matching faux suit type of blazer for those pants. So I will take Suz’s advice and swap them for black. I’ll stick to navy for an occasional dress or super casual item, and maybe at some point also a Breton update. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927141 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 17:46:17 +0000 Suz 1927141@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>3style</b> if it is about budget and wardrobe size, then it would indeed make more sense to limit yourself to one dark neutral perhaps with accents in the other (as I do) rather than thinking in terms of complete capsules of both. As you see, I have quite a few of these black "accents" and happily buy items in black. But I have a medium-large wardrobe and &nbsp;this is for a four-season climate, so in fact there are not too many black items per season.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927140 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 17:44:11 +0000 Suz 1927140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Toban</b>, I wonder if people have different tolerances for matching/ unmatching darks. Personally, my teeth feel on edge when I see blacks that don't match well! And most of my navies seem to work together quite well (with a few exceptions.)&nbsp;</p> <p>Maybe that's just because I automatically gravitate towards blues with blue and black undertones vs. those with warmer undertones. The same is true for black in my own wardrobe. I have several black items that almost look ink blue, because the blue undertone is so prominent in them. Maybe this is why I see most of my navies as working pretty well together, and my navies working pretty well with black. Then again, I'm not trying to create a proper suit with these items, and if I were, I'd be much more sensitive to exact matching.&nbsp;</p> <p>Nice dress, by the way. And I use navy for my LBDs also. (Little blue dresses) and have a bunch of different ones for different weather conditions and purposes.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927137 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 17:24:57 +0000 Liesbeth 1927137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear lots of navy all the time, and sometimes black in winter or on formal occasions. I do agree that navy in large dosis can look like a school uniform so I tend to combine it with other neutrals. The navy with cognac or chocolate brown look feels ‘gentlemenlike’ to me, a vibe I like. Navy with black shoes and bags seems perfectly fine to me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927132 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 16:42:57 +0000 Toban 1927132@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maybe I’ve just been oblivious to unmatching navies, or luckily gravitate to the same navy (almost an indigo navy). I rarely wear a column of solid navy and navy in a print to a solid is easier. I just bought yet another navy dress (it is my LBD) at a little store in Lyon, France. It’s one of my favorite colors. I think this one is a classic that is timeless. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions/page/2#post-1927123 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 15:41:26 +0000 JAileen 1927123@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I only wear black for holiday parties. Otherwise, I wear navy and grey. For me, black is kind of harsh, and grey is more user friendly for my coloring. I have a friend who wears black 99.9 percent of the time, but it looks amazing on her. If it looked good on me I’d go with black because it would be so easy - everything comes in black. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927118 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 15:36:05 +0000 Cardiff girl 1927118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Black near my face my face makes me look like I ve just been dug up,Navy is much more flattering but I can understand the appeal of black for the lucky ones that it suits. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927115 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 15:30:38 +0000 Molly Mac 1927115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Angie, I prefer navy and other blues to black but still have a lot of black in my wardrobe. I don't like black near my face because I am very fair and feel like it bleaches me out. However, I own many more black bottoms than navy (except for jeans). I love navy and black together and frequently wear this combination. My shoe choices with navy bottoms include cognac, gold , white, blush, rose gold, silver, red, snakeskin, and animal prints. I find navy as versatile and necessary to my wardrobe as black. It IS harder to find navy basics so I snap them up when I can. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927087 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 13:43:39 +0000 cindysmith 1927087@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ugh, I'm conflicted too. Navy looks better with my pale skin &amp; hair, but I have better luck finding pieces in a cut/style I like in black. I guess that's one of the drawbacks of a dystopian style personality LOL</p> <p>I've not figured out how to settle the internal conflict, so I stand in front of my closet wanting to wear this black shirt or that one because I truly love the style, but really don't want to do anything to make the heat seem worse (and black does that every time). I scratch my head, turn from side to side, and dig through everything hoping that something I love in a not-black color will magically appear in my closet. It never seems to happen though </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927085 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 13:35:42 +0000 bj1111 1927085@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Based on your last post, why don’t you get a couple of new navy toppers that appeal to you to try them out at home? Perhaps that would clarify if you like navy toppers or not. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927083 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 13:33:28 +0000 kkards 1927083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>ok, navy lover reporting for duty.....yes, i've transitioned to a mostly navy wardrobe, BUT....it wasn't overnight, and it helped that my workplace transitioned to casual business....but that being said, i still own a fair amount of black-especially in my winter and formal pieces....i am one who will wear navy and black together, but it's not my go to, i will and do wear a column of navy alot...</p> <p><b>Becky</b>&nbsp;asks: <i>What color of shoes does everyone wear with navy, especially in fall and winter? In summer, I can see wearing white, nude, or metallic. But what about in cooler weather?<br /></i>i love love love navy shoes and boots....and yes, they can be hard to find, but in the past couple of years its been easier. i also wear metalics, cognac, olive/army green....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927079 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 12:58:39 +0000 3style 1927079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie,</p> <p>The original thread that this conversation came from pertained to optimized budgeting. What Sterling and I are trying to ascertain is for those of us who keep a wardrobe say approximately half of the size of yours, does it make sense to select only black or navy (or ivory vs white etc.) in order to have the maximum wardrobe versatility from the smaller number of items?</p> <p>For myself, Thursday I did the trick Aida proposed. I wore a black cardigan and pants together in a faux summer suit : linen cardigan, knit trousers with the same level of dressyness and similar drape and slightly fluid fit. I paired it with a navy linen top with a pattern: a fresh feeling floral. </p> <p><a href="https://www.anntaylor.com/the-flutter-linen-tee-in-floral/467917" rel="nofollow">https://www.anntaylor.com/the-.....ral/467917</a>. </p> <p>So for that outfit it worked. And the top works perfectly with a navy pair of dressy trousers:</p> <p><a href="https://www.anntaylor.com/the-ankle-pant-in-dense-twill-curvy-fit/460004" rel="nofollow">https://www.anntaylor.com/the-.....fit/460004</a>.</p> <p>I got them because that was the color available in the store and nobody stocks curvy much. And also because they are perfect with the navy top above. </p> <p>I’m debating whether to exchange them for black from online, because I have several black cardigans and blazers. Or to add to my navy topper collection instead. I have two navy toppers and I don’t love them, because of fit issues (this original thread was about budget and weight fluctuations). And since they are the only navy toppers I’ve had for about 4-5 years, it’s now hard for me to tell if I don’t like navy toppers or if I just need some new ones. </p> <p>This is the crux of the original question. So for these pants in particular, I like the shade of navy and I think that I prefer an ankle pant in navy versus black (lots of blue ankle veins lol). But for maximum versatility with minimal amount of pieces, black pants would be a bit more versatile. Thus the mental gymnastics. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927047 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 06:46:09 +0000 Barbara Diane 1927047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I ventured away from black out of necessity. I went down a size and couldn’t find summer lightweight clothing in black, just navy. This year I decided that I just didn’t feel like myself in navy and vowed to stop buying it. But I found a maxi skirt I really liked in navy and mint, and a new navy top to go with it. Oh well. I have a lot of navy items that I will probably wear until I lose weight or they wear out, </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1927007 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 02:18:15 +0000 Anonymous 1927007@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am one that could not successfully replace black with navy as a neutral. This is because I don't mind different shades of black together but could not find a consistent shade of navy that did not clash badly with other navies. Even navy pieces of the same brand did not work together. Now I stick to three shades of navy as a secondary neutral. Some navies like cadet blue look horrible with my skin. I will follow your black to navy journey with interest. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1926995 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 01:26:40 +0000 ChrisM 1926995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>In my younger years, black served 2 purposes:&nbsp; it was (and is) easy, and it gave me some visual maturity - hipness without the preppy that seems to go with navy.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Black is always available (especially in specialty sizes) and for the most part always matchy.&nbsp; It was easy and cost efficient to build complements (belt/shoes/bag/earrings/etc.) and look pulled together.&nbsp;<br /> Not so much with navy. </p> <p></div><div><br /></div><div>Trying to be successful in a conservative field meant trying look a little older, more serious and yep, even more hip.&nbsp; (I'm such a nerd at heart it seemed like what I needed to do.)&nbsp; Black scratched that itch. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I don't feel like I need the gravitas that black used to provide, and I have more resources (including time - kids all grown and married) to search out more interesting options.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My need to appear approachable and relevant as an older woman (pushing 60 and still in a conservative field as a consultant) and softening personal colors have encouraged me to soften my closet colors too.&nbsp;<br /> Does that make sense?&nbsp; I think mid-tone blues and grays and tans look better on me.&nbsp; I incorporate black as an accent, not a neutral.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The only exception is concert wear and dressy clothes.&nbsp; I'm trying to build a dressy capsule (weddings, funerals, special parties), and as much as I try to steer to non-black clothes - it's all I see.&nbsp; But I figure a specialty capsule - especially if I can incorporate some color near my face with accessories - is OK.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>You've started some fabulous threads, Sterling!&nbsp; So thoughtful!&nbsp; Thanks!<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1926985 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 01:00:48 +0000 bj1111 1926985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How comfortable to you feel mixing black and blue? The only time I wouldn’t mix is in a suit. There I like precise color matching including tone and shade. Beyond that, you may not need two separate capsules. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/decisions-decisions-decisions#post-1926978 Sat, 09 Jun 2018 00:17:33 +0000 Anonymous 1926978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have lots of pieces of both navy/ink/dark/blue and black. &nbsp;Separate capsules too, for the most part. &nbsp;I don't wear them together unless it's really intentional - i.e. pattern mixing or making sure there are boots/shoes/ a bag etc tying the two together. &nbsp;I like wearing black, and think I look ok in it but I've never had a compliment on the colour on me &nbsp;as I have had while wearing dark blues. &nbsp;I don't care though - anymore - and happily wear both. &nbsp;I love tonal, head-to-toe navy/ink/whatever and this reminds me to put better navy shoes on my fall to-buy list. &nbsp; </p>