https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:47:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984499 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 23:53:59 +0000 Cee 1984499@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good examples, Jussie </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984496 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 23:48:24 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1984496@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Suntig! I wear a lot of color, might try counting to see how close I am to your ideal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984462 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 22:39:19 +0000 The Cat 1984462@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think your examples look fine.<br /> Personally, I always (whether for job, casual, or party) want to include at least one neutral (even if it is just kin the form of shoes, a bag or some jewellery. The non-neutrals help me to look and feel grounded.<br /> As for the gamine look, I think it has more to do with style than colours. Some gamines enjoy wearing lots of colours and look great. Others tend to wear a lot of black, white and grey and look gorgeous </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984420 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 19:35:59 +0000 Anonymous 1984420@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FashIntern- its not 3 pieces of each color, its 1 color 3x, 1 color 2x and 1 color 1x! Even small amounts count-jewelry, toenail polish, etc. It sounds like a lot, but its all more or less in my DA color scheme-so low/medium value contrast, even though the colors are saturated. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984357 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 16:23:23 +0000 Anonymous 1984357@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm wondering if it would be useful to photograph your more colorful outfits and then transfer the visual to black and white. Ms Mary posted very colorful outfits but she always looked 100% polished and I'm thinking there may have been a more subtle formula at work too, like textures, proportions of dark to light, etc. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984282 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:07:08 +0000 em 1984282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Jussie:&nbsp;</b>It looks a bit like this. The skirt is an inch or so shorter and it may be a tad redder, but mostly like this with the 3/4 sleeves:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/507640189217152519/?lp=true">https://www.pinterest.com/pin/.....9/?lp=true</a></p> <p>There's nothing neutral about it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984281 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 12:48:26 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 1984281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Suntiger, it sounds like Jussie understood what you meant, but I'm slow. <br /></div><div>Are you saying that if you wear a bright color, you wear at least three pieces of it? What happens if you want to wear, say, 3 bright colors together? Even with all the extra accessories in winter, 9 pieces is hard. <br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984226 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 06:09:35 +0000 jussie 1984226@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Em: I would love to see a wiw of your tomato red suit </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984225 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 06:08:30 +0000 jussie 1984225@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Joy: you are so right! For older students I dress more conservatively, because I have to be so serious around them. But for younger groups I feel better wearing something with more personality/light hearted. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984207 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 04:19:02 +0000 Anonymous 1984207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To be a sub, dress so you feel and look like you are in control. The older the kids, the more classic you need to look because you look very young.<br /> Put your hair up. Wear jewelry. Do not wear anything someone you are teaching would wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984165 Wed, 19 Dec 2018 01:54:43 +0000 jussie 1984165@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger: Thanks for clarifying. Great system, a way to organise multiple colours in an outfit. How fun!&nbsp;</p> <p>La Ped: Thanks for your response. &nbsp;I think the overall cohesiveness and look matters more than the colours themselves. However I worry that wearing, say, bright red or bright orange may agitate the little children! However i'm hoping pink or blue is safer/less stimulating in that regard.....&nbsp;</p> <p>Anchie: it's hard to please everyone with your clothing choices lol. You wear colour beautifully, I think it really suits you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984103 Tue, 18 Dec 2018 20:05:21 +0000 anchie 1984103@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear a lot of colors. And older I get less I care if it is appropriate or not. I just want to have fun.<br /> My daughter was giving me a lot of grief about my colorful outfits, saying that only neutrals are professional and that I am embarrassing her during school run. But lately there was a big change, she is even encouraging me to wear a more color. I have a suspicion that her friends commented positively on my outfits and that she is not embarrassed any more:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984086 Tue, 18 Dec 2018 19:31:08 +0000 LaPed 1984086@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, well, if you're subbing I think they'll just be grateful to you for showing up! (Only sort of j/k here.) </p> <p>I never shy away from wearing colour, pattern, texture, etc when working with children. Especially as a sub, it's nice if they have an easy way to identify/connect with you. If you wear hot pink, you'll probably be "Ms Hot Pink" the next time you teach. Kids notice and remember everything! I have preschoolers who question my footwear choices: "Are you sure those boots are warm enough?" ;)</p> <p>In a very conservative field, in a new position, I might hesitate to wear brights (or pastels, for that matter). But as others have said, I think silhouette and fabrication matter just as much, if not more. </p> <p>From your description, it sounds like the bright pink will be anchored by a neutral (navy) so I think you're good to go! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984063 Tue, 18 Dec 2018 18:16:44 +0000 karen13 1984063@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting discussion. As has been said it depends on field, but I think so much has to do with cut and fit as well. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work/page/2#post-1984059 Tue, 18 Dec 2018 18:06:39 +0000 em 1984059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My favorite suit is one color--bright tomato red. So I guess I'm not the best person to comment on this thread. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1984035 Tue, 18 Dec 2018 17:42:58 +0000 Anonymous 1984035@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Heres an example of the (no less than) full house (3 and 2) + 1 color rule:<br /> Burgundy pencil skirt, tights, booties<br /> Rust blouse<br /> And plaid scarf with burgundy, orange (similar to the rust), olive, and black.<br /> My guidelines: colors can be tonal, and anything counts as a duplication of the color (jewelry, accessories, or even skin/hair/eye color). Cognac for example, can be counted as a duplicate with orange, copper, mustard, tigers eye jewelry, or my skin (if its summer and im not all covered up). My 3 could be even as simple as 3 pieces of gold jewelry or gold hardware on shoes or bag. The main thing so i dont feel chaotic is not having a bunch of random colors with nothing bridging them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983796 Tue, 18 Dec 2018 02:35:31 +0000 cindysmith 1983796@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Navy is a neutral in my book. It's probably more properly called a "pseudo-neutral" but it goes with pretty much anything and everything, so it's a neutral.<br /> And how much color is too much color depends on your work dress code and office norms (which is totally NOT helpful, I know). But I don't think you're going to look out-of-place in navy and hot pink </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983732 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 22:59:27 +0000 unfrumped 1983732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sort of what bj1111 said, and some cautions.<br /> “ Gamine” is a lovely look to go for with your features but the term itself also to me evokes less authority. So color + gamine could be marvelous for young children, much like bright colors in a pediatric clinic are for the kids, but maybe not for teens. So this is where colors vs the clothing itself may not be the same. It tends to be harder to get “ serious “ clothes in bright colors — good cuts and fabrics —but not impossible. Flip side is someone could wear all neutrals and look cheap or sloppy. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983680 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 21:11:29 +0000 jussie 1983680@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sal: thanks for your reply. I agree it’s more about general appropriateness and level of formality than colour itself. The trick is making more than one colour flattering, on-trend and cohesive. Not always easy, but fun as a challenge.<br /> You sure do wear brights with the best of them :). </p> <p>Alicewonderland: thanks for your response. I would love to see your pink and navy outfit!! I agree that colour can make a person initially seem more approachable :). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983671 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 20:37:05 +0000 Sal 1983671@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think colourful is fine in pretty much every setting.&nbsp; There are times when neutral is better, but I think that is a rarity.</p> <p>Wearing several or even one bright colour can make you stand out in a sea of neutrals but that can be a positive thing.</p> <p>I like colour a lot, and wear bright large patterns comfortably, but I don't often wear a bright top and bright pants (colour blocking).&nbsp; I like it but it does not feel right on me - and I don't quite have the components.</p> <p>I think scruffy/worn out, too short, too tight, very high heels would be the areas that can make workwear look either casual OR more evening appropriate.&nbsp; I don't see you doing any of those things.</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983625 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 17:45:50 +0000 Alicewonderland 1983625@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think multiple non-neutral colors are totally fine for work day. I’m going to do a similar scheme as you today- hot pink sweater, navy pants and blazer, and I work in a very conservative field. (Though navy is a neutral). I think key is the fabric and style/sillouhette has to be professional. I think wearing colors to work makes people feel happy and makes you approacheable. If going to a job interview though, i would be more conservative. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983617 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 17:24:40 +0000 Suz 1983617@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What bj111 and Bijou said.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983596 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 16:31:20 +0000 bj1111 1983596@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You’re wearing this outfit to substitute teach. Won’t know the grade until that day. Depending on the grade, the class, the kid, they may give you more or less authority and the outfit can help or hinder your effectiveness.</p> <p>Female profs are judged more harshly than make profs in their dress.</p> <p>All this to say, wear what you want as long as you know the effect on your professional function and perception. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983588 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 16:16:17 +0000 Angie 1983588@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Generally, you can wear as many as 10 brights in an outfit, if that's your cuppa tea. My personal record is five. </p> <p>No need to wear an outfit with neutrals. Feel free to wear brights from head to toe. Your hair and skin are neutral, so in that sense - you bring neutrals to your look no matter what. </p> <p>For the school day, wear the neutral and bright mix that makes you feel in control and confident. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983576 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 16:02:51 +0000 Helena 1983576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it depends on the workplace ... if everyone shows up in gray suits and white shirts, then a lot of color might stand out more than you might want - but generally speaking, I think it's less about color and more about the pieces - if they are neat, professional and appropriate to your workplace, then I think the color is lower in importance.</p> <p>I also agree that navy is a neutral, certainly for business purposes, so you are probably good. Would love to see the final outfit you put together! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983563 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 15:29:48 +0000 JAileen 1983563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think given your jobs that lots of color is fine. I had neutrals in my wardrobe so that lots of things would mix and match. So, not so my outfit was sober, but that it was versatile. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983560 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 15:25:05 +0000 Christina F. 1983560@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wear lots of crazy colors but I always prefer a neutral piece to pair them with, if it's a top or a bottom. I don't think about that based on what's acceptable at work - it's just personal preference. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983529 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 14:17:04 +0000 Molly Mac 1983529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think of navy blue as a neutral and it is the most popular neutral in my closet. I love color and frequently wear colorful outfits to work. My rules are that the silhouettes must be modern classic, the fabrics high quality, and the fits perfect. This helps avoid a feeling of chaos and being overwhelmed by your clothes. I did a presentation last week to about 50 physicians and I wore a bright lavender lace top, navy tuxedo trousers, and soft pink velvet heels. I felt professional but pretty and received many compliments on my outfit. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983527 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 14:15:25 +0000 Janet 1983527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don’t think I ever wear an outfit without any neutrals unless it is a dress, and even then I will ground it with neutral shoes and accessories. But I am not a head-to-toe color person. </p> <p>I agree that a colorful outfit can be wholly professional (hello, MsMary’s amazing outfits and she is totally professional and polished!). But I think perfect fit, classic cuts, and careful styling help make this approach work for the most professional effect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/how-much-colour-is-ok-for-work#post-1983507 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 13:16:24 +0000 RobinF 1983507@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think your examples look professional enough for most workplaces (and are super cute!). I agree with Bijou that fit and style are more important than color. </p>