https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 24 Apr 2026 08:52:48 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1790320 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 16:13:51 +0000 viva 1790320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Thirkelgirl,</b> it's interesting to hear you talk about your home decor and how it relates to your fashion palette. I find there is a correlation in my life, too. Thanks for sharing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1790252 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 13:05:24 +0000 Thirkellgirl 1790252@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I started rebuilding my work wardrobe a year or so ago and I've been pretty deliberate about making sure all the pieces work with each other. I'd prefer that the base color be navy, but it's mostly built around black and wine/maroon. As the weather warms I think the wine will give way to teal and royal blue, as they will work with my black pants and black/white dress/skirts. My home is decorated with neutral background (white/cream/pale grey walls, white slipcovers, pale wood or black-painted furniture) and I enjoy changing out the textiles and accessories seasonally. I have a big stash of pillow covers and throws and more china to display on my hutch than any one empty-nester needs... but that's the approach I've been trying to take with my wardrobe. My casual base is denim and black, and I like to wear a variety of colors (cardigans, tees, blouses, shoes), and my work wardrobe has a base of black with colorful accessories and tops (more restrained than my casual wardrobe).&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1790237 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 11:59:54 +0000 Anonymous 1790237@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was not raised to use a certain color palette, but I have done so for the past several years because it makes it easier to create different outfits. My wardrobe is more cohesive and my clothing budget is lower. That said, I do find it frustrating when I can't find colors I know are my best. For that reason, I think that while it's great to know what my best colors are, I also have to be realistic when I shop and know the color(s) I'm looking for may not be out there. Not every item in my closet is my best color, but some were necessary purchases such as heavy sweaters for the winter--purchases that had to be made and couldn't be put off until later. Those items will hopefully be replaced with my best colors over time; but for right now, they'll just have to do. So yes, I do have a color palette, and I do stick with it as much as possible. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1790206 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 07:47:13 +0000 Jenni NZ 1790206@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great idea Carla, thank you! Sometimes I haven't bought a colour for a couple of decades. This happened recently with pale pink, last year. My last pale pink knitted wool jumper was bought by Mum in 1989 and passed to me. I loved it for years but wore it in pregnancy and it stretched out, so after my son was born in 1996 I passed it on. Then no more pale pink until 2016, just don't think I'd seen it. I guess in the interim my sweet girls were wearing it too and maybe it felt a bit ballerina or princess. But they're grown and left home, so... it helps to think of it as part of a "seasonal refresh". I now have shoes to go with the pale pink knit, and then I bought the camo top. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1790171 Wed, 22 Mar 2017 02:50:08 +0000 Carla 1790171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Gigi posted above, I have a core of neutrals -black, grey, blue, white, cognac and silver. When doing a big seasonal refresh shop I will let myself be inspired by a fabulous item and then try to build a core of 4 items in that colour, so I have a capsule. Sometimes the love affair with that colour continues, and sometimes it is a short term fling. </p> <p>Right now I am exploring blush. I have 2 lacy tank tops, a sweater, and a pair of chinos. The colour mixes with all my neutrals, except the cognac. I've also got some wine (2 tops and a belt)' olive (one sweater and a coat), mustard (one pair of trousers) and red (a sweater and a pair of shoes). I haven't 'grown' any of these colours to a core of 4 yet. 'Dirty' colours seem to work for me better than bright or clear colours.</p> <p>Once you've got some colour in your wardrobe, and have worked it successfully into outfits with your neutrals, try doing all colour outfits to test your tolerance and expand your boundaries. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1790110 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 22:57:21 +0000 Barbara Diane 1790110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think there are parts of my color palette that are very intentional and parts that are not. But I should preface that by saying that having my colors done in my twenties gave form to my choices. I know what to definitely leave in the store. Before I had absolutely no clue what looked good on me.</p> <p>Navy came into my wardrobe the summer I couldn't find any black. And because my hair had gone gray, it worked better than when my hair was dark. I love teals and blues and purples and reds. But for many years there wasn't much purple available. So, it wasn't in my wardrobe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1790008 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 16:11:39 +0000 Anonymous 1790008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an interesting thought.&nbsp; After I reflected, I decided that for me it's a right brain/left brain thing.&nbsp; The logical part of my brain goes for darker and neutral colors because they seem more flattering.&nbsp; But my right brain rebels at some point and starts pointing me toward the brights because they're just happier and make me feel good.&nbsp; That's my brain in a nutshell, always fighting with itself!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1789976 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 14:54:21 +0000 Traci 1789976@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've started being mindful of my palette for the last few years because I noticed one of the sure fire ways an item in my closet becomes an orphan is if I don't have other items that work with it color wise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1789938 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 12:48:01 +0000 cindysmith 1789938@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your palette, and it seems very cohesive to me. It certainly doesn't seem as schizophrenic as my closet used to be, with any beautiful color that caught my eye. I had a bit of trouble mixing and matching it some days. Mostly, I only stick to a very narrow color palette now because of my lifestyle--I live a VERY rural lifestyle so I want to hide dirt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1789914 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 10:29:15 +0000 Staysfit 1789914@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Conscious color palette here! I think I was raised to use one. It has shifted over time, and run the gamut. My all time favorite and most consistent colors to wear have been teal, turquoise or Aqua and some shade of coral. Coral is interesting because it runs from very reddish pink to very orange yellow. My coral is reddish pink but still has a warm undertone. To come up with my palette, I visualize a specific image of the beach and ocean, sky and clouds, sea creatures and plants, shells, and sand. It is a picture with depth and movement so there is a lot of color and variability, but I can use the image for shopping, so I don't have to carry swatches. </p> <p>Since my hair is gray now, I wear less gold, but I still think I can wear gold. My metals are both gold and silver and I like to mix my metals. If I could find any, my favorite neutrals would be aubergine, pewter, stone, and possibly cocoa. They are hard to find. Instead I am using charcoal, grey, medium to light wash denim, and winter white/soft white. The colors in my palette are light, soft and cool. The accent colors I am using at present to complement my neutrals are light Emerald green, light teal, jade green, pink coral, fuschia, watermelon red, sky blue, periwinkle, royal blue/lapis. </p> <p>It isn't easy to stick with such a rigid color palette. Finding something in the exact color I want, in the right size to fit a tall frame becomes a challenge. </p> <p>There are certainly other colors hanging in my closet, but they look like foreigners. They stick out and do not play well with the rest of my clothes. I'm not sure how many people use images to keep their palette sorted, but when I walk into my closet, it feels and looks a bit like going to the beach with all the pretty ocean colors and it makes me very happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette/page/2#post-1789890 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 05:24:31 +0000 Gigi 1789890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't have a conscious color palette. Like you, I tend to gravitate toward colors more emotionally. I like to have a core wardrobe that is mainly neutrals, and then I buy a handful of pieces in color for those times when I want a little fun. My main colors are red and mint, and then I have odd pieces in various colors, usually only one piece per color. I think I would feel assaulted if I had too much color staring back at me from my wardrobe, ha ha. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789830 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 00:29:15 +0000 karen13 1789830@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is not conscious, but I have a lot of navy, blue, green and darker grays and lately have been getting turquoise and teal as well. This winter I added a good bit of burgundy. I think I am shaped driven "rules" I internalized in my younger days abut what goes with my strawberry blond hair and fair skin. &nbsp;I've always shied away from reds, oranges and pinks, but there are so many tones there that I ought to experiment.</p> <p>I recently resolved to stop buying gray tops.</p> <p>Definite cool colors, jewel tones and saturated, with no pastels. Interesting to think about.</p> <p>I love your colors and was eying that striped sweater. I hope you have time to show us a WIW. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789826 Tue, 21 Mar 2017 00:00:49 +0000 Sal 1789826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Relatively unconscious to be honest, depending on what I find that meets my criteria. &nbsp; <ul> <li>There are colours I am drawn to and can find- right now winter white, teals, navy&nbsp;</li> <li>Consistent colours that work for me regularly over the years (tomato red, coral)&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours I need - neutrals (denim blue, grey and black). &nbsp;</li> <li> <p>Colours I love but can rarely find in pieces that I like (clear greens, golden yellows)</li> </ul> The colours I don't have are either <ul> <li>Colours I avoid either because they don't suit me (optic white, citron, olive green, pastel pink and blue, lemon)&nbsp;</li> <li>Colours I have an aversion to (maroon and rust because of old school uniforms)</li> </ul> I do consider accessories and other pieces when choosing a new item,especially when it is a jacket. &nbsp;However if I like it I will just buy it rather than stick to a strict palette.</p> <p>I am a happy repeater though so very happy to wear the same top with the same pants over and over again!! &nbsp;I am not a true minimalist either, I like to see a range of colours and pieces, and have some variety. &nbsp;The flip side is that sometimes means less mixing and matching given my budget and preference for a moderate number of clothes.</p> <p>These colours all are terrific Viva, mid range but slightly off a clear colour, which I think is the right call for you. &nbsp;They are strong but not vivid, and this suits your lovely colouring. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789824 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:49:20 +0000 Alexandra 1789824@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a conscious palette and, like yours, mine goes all the way around the color wheel. Anchored by black, gray, and a bit of white, bright colors come out to play in my wardrobe all the time. Picture below shows my palette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789822 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:42:53 +0000 madeline 1789822@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tend to have color capsules-turquoise, cobalt blue, gray; then yellow, green, black (winter) or white (summer); pink, coral, bone or taupe.<br /> I used to be able to wear a lot of red but I find it washes me out now. I have been drawn to navy instead of black lately too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789821 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:40:54 +0000 Irina 1789821@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My color palette is a bit seasonal. For fall and winter the colors are black, 50 shades of grey and ink/navy. One purple and one light blue sweaters were added as an experiment. I recently bought a camel color wool coat and I'm planning to find a caramel or sand top. My major colors to wear in summer are white and cream. Yet, in the winter time I might only occasionally wear a white shirt under a sweater.<br /> Summer time in when I expand the palette- some blush, olive green and even gasp! a pattern.<br /> But even then, my essentials are black, ink and grey.<br /> I love these colors. Sometimes I find myself attracted to uncommon for me color. But I almost always shy away. I know I might admire it for what it is and will not like it on me. So, I picked these colors subconsciously but I analyzed it and now try to stay within my palette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789813 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 23:08:01 +0000 Jenn 1789813@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a pretty conscious palette for my wardrobe and, for whatever reason, don't have a hard time sticking to it, but I feel your frustration, because I'm the same way with my house. I feel a strong pull towards natural, neutral Scandinavian interiors, but I have yellow walls and a teal couch and fuchsia velvet dining chairs. Whatcha gonna do? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789707 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 16:37:54 +0000 Emily K 1789707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I echo what others have said. &nbsp;Your color palette is cohesive. &nbsp;The orange-y reds are complementary colors on the color wheel to the blue-greens and so make a fantastic accent. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789705 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 16:34:48 +0000 Anonymous 1789705@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Liz, and see your collection of colour as quite organized, if that words makes sense. &nbsp;You work colour into your look very well, and &nbsp;it never seems kooky or costumey - which is the way I often feel in riotous colour. &nbsp; Personally, I am striving for that minimal colour palette you mentioned . I can't wait for the day where my wardrobe reaches that stage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789700 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 16:27:19 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 1789700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love a lot of colors, mostly in terms of top half. &nbsp;I do choose colors that flatter me, and they mostly go with my more limited palette on the bottom. As long as you don't randomly buy pieces that require many other new items to go with them, I don't see any reason to limit your palette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789696 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 16:20:12 +0000 Style Fan 1789696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have always loved earth tones and I don't think I thought that much about it when I was younger.&nbsp; Now I just eliminate clothes that are not in my autumn palette when I am shopping because they do not make me happy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789685 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:53:23 +0000 Anonymous 1789685@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a conscious palette based around Soft Autumn colours, but I stray from it occasionally...never too far though. I never feel restricted either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789662 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:22:38 +0000 viva 1789662@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks all. I think I can get so attracted to the <i>idea</i> of minimalism, but I'm just not a minimalist at heart. So, I will feel a pull when I hear people talk about their black, white, grey, and blush wardrobes and imagine how peaceful that would be ... but my closet likes to be more raucous, I think. I like a smallish but changing wardrobe, and it's just going to be colorful: I have to be honest. Like <b>Robin</b>, I would be bored with a true uniform.</p> <p>Some of you have said things that really make me feel my approach is more than pure emotion; it makes sense. <b>Diana</b>, thanks for pointing out that I have a lot of gray, black, and denim -- and those tones work with all the colors I buy! And <b>Tanya</b>, that all my colors don't have to work with each other! (So obvious, so brilliant.) And <b>Angie</b>, that one can have a conscious palette that is broad.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Greenjeans</b>, you are right that the green is a new direction and it's a good one, I think. So, perhaps more green is in my future.&nbsp;</p> <p>I think, ultimately, what I know is that my colors are clear and saturated, so that is knowledge that can help when shopping.</p> <p>I know there is no one way. As <b>Summer</b> says, to each her own.&nbsp;</p> <p>Thanks, everyone, for chiming in and sharing your color stories. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789661 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:22:12 +0000 Bonnie 1789661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I started my wardrobe one and a half years ago, I really tried to stick to a palette because what I had been doing wasn't working. I was buying outfits before and I wanted to move to a capsule wardrobe. Now, I have enough neutrals, so I am adding color. I really like all of the finds you have shown above. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789647 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 15:06:17 +0000 chewyspaghetti 1789647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not really conscious of it, in that I don't specifically shop only for certain colors.....but I DO only buy certain cors because I don't like to wear a lot of color, and so my palette is pretty narrow: white, cream, taupe, tan, browns, gray, black, denim and naby blue, olive green, blush pink, coral or burnt oranges....that's about it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789623 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 14:38:56 +0000 Angie 1789623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I absolutley have a conscious palette - but it's quite broad:</p> <p>Warm sour brights (tomato red, Dutch orange, watermelon, coral, citron, yellow, apple green, neon green, shocking pink), lots of white/cream and ink blue, blue denim, some black, a smattering of pearl grey, and some blush. REALLY want to amp up the turquoise.&nbsp;</p> <p>Personally, I think your palette is fabulous, Viv. It looks sufficiently cohesive to me. I echo what Tanya and Suz said too.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789616 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 14:26:08 +0000 Penny 1789616@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you have to start with the colors that draw you to them and make you happy, and then can define your color palette from there.</p> <p>Although I have always had fairly strong color preferences (deep, saturated jewel tones, navy, and burgundy), they have refined over time. For example, I realized I prefer a very dark teal, not bright teal, even though that means I often end up with more navy and black items than colored items because it's tricky to find items I want in very specific shades. </p> <p>Sometimes what leaves my closet has been helpful, too, in thinking about my palette: one insight I had was that I prefer reds and pinks as accent colors rather than full outfits, after I found myself giving away pink and red dresses time and again. So now I admire certain colors but don't pull the trigger on purchasing certain types of items in those shades. </p> <p>At any rate, it's fun to open your closet and see a group of colors you love, no matter how consciously that's been constructed! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789604 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 14:11:44 +0000 Anonymous 1789604@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>...I will say that not having very many colour options is kind of nice. It's one less thing to think about.<br /> I am kind of enjoying my uniform of blue this winter. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789603 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 14:11:19 +0000 Suz 1789603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting! For me, it's not either/ or...I *do* have a conscious palette but it is based on what I'd already gravitate towards! Neutrals are ink/ navy; grey; white with dashes of black, and colours are blue (see, it is a neutral and a colour); reds (from berry through true reds to burgundy), fuchsia, and purples. That's quite a lot of variety. In a season where stores are full of teals I might add some of those as well, since they suit me and I love them. </p> <p>I'd say the balance does shift over time depending on what is available, but pretty much within those broad parameters. Lately I've decided to add more saturated colour because it works better with my silver hair.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-conscious-is-your-palette#post-1789597 Mon, 20 Mar 2017 14:08:10 +0000 Anonymous 1789597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think your complexion allows you to wear a great variety of great colours, so go for it.</p> <p>I end up in blue 99% of the time because the colours that suit me are ones that I don't like that much.<br /> Pinks, and periwinkles come to mind.</p> <p>If I COULD wear tomato, citron, and mustard I would. </p>