https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:05:59 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1519149 Mon, 13 Jul 2015 15:00:15 +0000 unfrumped 1519149@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Tulle, your observation is so spot-on! In fact, the "jewelry" I try to find IS opaque but colored, perhaps "faux stone", or colored with veining, gradations of color, that sort of thing; for light colors, "pearl" and its relatives, and even in grays, &nbsp;are great because there are gradations of color, opacity + shine.<br />I think the adjective used in the color world is "soft" but even that has interpretaions--for me it's not dusty or super-murky but&nbsp; &nbsp;not bright, very clear colors, with some exceptions.&nbsp;As E said, some berry colors can be quite saturated or what may be "deep".&nbsp; I don't really use the swatch approach or any limitation, but I finally figured out the difference is not just in "light" or "dark"&nbsp; colors but in "bright, clear" vs. softer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1518115 Sat, 11 Jul 2015 03:46:12 +0000 tulle 1518115@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How interesting!&nbsp; This seems like a valuable discovery for you, one that is likely to influence your wardrobe choices--or how you think about those choices, anyway--quite a bit.&nbsp; I think Kerlyn's description of these colors as "mineral" is very accurate:&nbsp; jasper, agate, serpentine, carnelian--earthy and yes, nearly neutral. Have you ever seen antique Scottish stone jewelry?&nbsp; Your colors turn up often in the semi-precious, opaque stones set in brooches and other pieces. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517921 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 19:56:50 +0000 kerlyn 1517921@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are some of my favorite colors as well, and I do tend to wear them year round. &nbsp;I have a lightweight burgundy peasant blouse that I like to wear with jeans or tan shorts. &nbsp;Most of my sandals are some shade of brown, so I wear them and then add jewelry like wood beads or natural stones of some sort to add a summery touch. &nbsp;These colors seem like "mineral" shades to me, like you'd see in subtle variations in stones. &nbsp;And they'd transition so easily to fall.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517909 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 19:15:27 +0000 unfrumped 1517909@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Gaylene said about colors with white-- and that is what lets me wear white trousers to work.-- wearing " nearly neutrals" and grays instead of bright pink. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517904 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 18:45:08 +0000 Anonymous 1517904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, thanks for that link to the colours Gaylene. They are all fab. I'm sure I'll find a lot of choice to wear this Autumn. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517883 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:20:33 +0000 Gaylene 1517883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ryce, for summer, why not try pairing the dress with silvery gray, sand, greyed blues, dusty sage-green, and whites. I think metallics like silver and gold would also look great.</p> <p>For what it's worth, I like wearing more complex "fallish" shades in summer, especially with white. To my eye, they are more interesting than the super-bright neons or pastels that one normally sees in the summer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517872 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 17:00:27 +0000 Gaylene 1517872@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You'll be happy to see the Fall 2015/Winter 2016 Panetone palette, I'm thinking. I'm loving the thought of Desert Sage, Stormy Weather, Biscay Bay, and Reflecting Pond to add to my basic black, white, and charcoals this winter--with maybe dashes of Amethyst Orchid and Marsala in accessories. </p> <p><a href="http://www.boomerinas.com/2015/06/26/10-pantone-fall-colors-for-autumn-2015-winter-2016/" rel="nofollow">http://www.boomerinas.com/2015.....nter-2016/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517866 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 16:49:40 +0000 unfrumped 1517866@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, that's it; thanks, torontogirl.<br /> Royce, DianeG's outfit post is a great example. So I also will wear somewhat fall- ish colors with white bottoms or beige / khaki and also I will add a necklace with shades of white, and handbag, or nude or cognac which I like for summer.<br /> I think your dress would work great with nude or some metallic footwear , and think of handbags in similar tones, some with ligher trims, or florals.<br /> Since I tend toward medium dark to dark colors myself, it is a goal to find ways to lighten up seasonless fabric but wintry colors for spring and summer but also find "summer weight" items in darker colors as opposed to pastels. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517854 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 16:14:18 +0000 Anonymous 1517854@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Diane - hope I still like it when my correct size arrives in the mail!<br />Jenn - ha! &nbsp;Yes, my own first thought was my trusty brown Birkenstocks, which I wear with EVERYTHING. &nbsp;In the fall, I will definitely be following your example of a few days ago and trying it with brown boots and a scarf!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517835 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 15:33:47 +0000 Anonymous 1517835@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, yes, that's probably it...thanks TG. Ryce that's a great dress! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517814 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:55:05 +0000 Jenn 1517814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love that, Ryce. In my dream wardrobe, I'd pair it with cognac sandals. In real life, I'd probably try to dress it down with my trusty Converse. (By the way, you'll see in my WIWs that I wear that color pretty much constantly, even in the summer. Still struggling to make it work here, as well.)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517811 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:49:16 +0000 Anonymous 1517811@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>These are the "colors" that I am most drawn to as well - so much so that this topic lured me out of lurking and into actually posting. However, I tend to think of most of them as fall/winter specific, and struggle with how to incorporate them into my warm-weather wardrobe.</p> <p>That said, I just fell hard for this wine-colored summer dress, which is actually a touch brighter than the photo IRL. I tried it on intending to seek it out in olive or navy if I liked it, but once i saw the gorgeous "beetroot" color (love that name!) in the mirror, I couldn't help myself. Still, I am perplexed about what shoes and other accessories to wear with it in 100-degree heat? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517804 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:34:09 +0000 Helena 1517804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="https://blog.colettehq.com/wardrobe-architect/week-6-organizing-your-palette" rel="nofollow">https://blog.colettehq.com/war.....ur-palette</a></p> <p>This might be it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517795 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:21:07 +0000 Alassë 1517795@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree, those colours are essential to provide "quiet colour" in a wardrobe. Seconding Diane for a link to the article. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517699 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 11:01:53 +0000 Anonymous 1517699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the concept of 'quiet' colours for neutrals. Must read Wardrobe Architect. I like how you say they are face colours, as they would be for me too. I also like the sound of the ones you listed, but you are so right, they are definitely harder to find in decent quality unfortunately. I'm personally a fan of olive and burgundy. </p> <p>Unfrumped, would you be able to provide a link to the article?</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517690 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 10:16:53 +0000 Summer 1517690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I believe that these are sometimes referred to as "basic" &nbsp;colours, because they work well with many other colours as well as with the true neutrals. &nbsp;As you mention, these colours are not always as readily available as true neutrals are, but they do crop up quite frequently as seasonal colours - burgundy, for instance, comes up quite often &nbsp;as "the" winter colour of a given year. This is the time to stock up, as you will usually find quality items - such as a good winter coat - in &nbsp;a good fabrication, alongside &nbsp;those in the more expected black and navy. &nbsp;Take advantage by creating a capsule of your chosen colour while it's plentiful in the stores.<br />Forgive me if I'm stating the obvious!<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517607 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 03:46:45 +0000 Anonymous 1517607@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'd say it depends on you and your wardrobe. I often think of some neutrals as colors because they function more that way for me..browns, navy. Optic white is a bright for me. Some colors function as true neutrals. For me that is blush, soft yellow and pale blue...much more neutral than brown or navy, and I have pants in each of those "neutral" colors. I agree with E that much of the fun getting dressed is using colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517575 Fri, 10 Jul 2015 01:48:41 +0000 E 1517575@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this concept too! There's a sewing plan thing called '6-pac,' in which the idea is to make 6 'boring' pieces a season to serve as your wardrobe's backbone, mainly in neutrals (obviously if you kept doing it, you'd be able to use past pieces eventually!), and they define a neutral as something you'd wear in trousers. Which is an interesting idea, because I definitely wear colours in dresses or skirts that I'd feel funny about in skinnies. Although now that I have medium teal trousers, who knows what's next? ;)</p> <p>Anyway, I like having about an equal mix of true neutrals, nearly neutrals, and colours; it seems to let my wardrobe function best. Playing with colour combinations is one of my favourite things about getting dressed though! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517535 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 23:47:07 +0000 Brooklyn 1517535@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think you are spot on. I love those colours too but they are hard to find in "basics". Much easier to find true neutrals, especially in good quality items. Eg There is some burgundy around here in Australia but I have yet to find one piece in a fabrication that I like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517530 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 23:43:38 +0000 unfrumped 1517530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenn,&nbsp; I think about that too. Fellow burgundy-magnet!&nbsp;I am reeled in by&nbsp;&nbsp;color over other quality&nbsp; issues sometimes. I have had&nbsp; to watch out for that and not just fill up on colors. But the flip side is if wardrobe is too dull, it seems to create the color-starved rush. <br />Texture can help here, too. Textured neutrals&nbsp;can often be&nbsp; richer and&nbsp; more luxurious&nbsp; &nbsp;and that's where neutrals really shine, so to speak. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517527 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 23:42:16 +0000 Helena 1517527@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I agree with this! I am gravitating to deep, rich colors like ink, burgundy, deep green, deep teal lately, and o think its because they combine some of the flattery and interest of color with the ease and quietness of neutrals. As I am wearing them more (mainly ink this summer), I find myself wanting more color of this easy type, versus either neutrals or brighter colors. Following your journey with interest! Angie mentioned that Firecracker is a good fabber to watch for this sort of palette. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517510 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 22:59:22 +0000 Jenn 1517510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love these colors as well, and am finding I need more real neutrals in my wardrobe because I pretty much beeline straight to any burgundy I see on the shelves (which has been a lot, recently). Burgundy, olive, mauve, gray-blue, mustard all feel alive to me in a way that true neutrals don't. In my case, I think I need to combine them with more&nbsp;<i>actual&nbsp;</i>neutrals, so the palette doesn't get overly confused. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/more-color-concepts-nearly-neutrals#post-1517506 Thu, 09 Jul 2015 22:46:31 +0000 unfrumped 1517506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wardrobe Architect has several sections on color palette and uses a color grouping she calls "nearly neutrals" that are actually colors, of course, but not too bright or arresting. Burgundy, gray blue, olive, rust, blush are some of her examples.</p> <p>Of course I've used colors in this way before but I enjoyed seeing her organize her palette with these separated out. Other color organizing "color naming" might call these the secondary colors or something as opposed to bright accent colors. </p> <p>Not to get hung up on color naming, but these colors or similar ones, depending on degree of warm/cool, are exactly the types of colors I like to use&nbsp; and that seem to satisfy some color cravings but also are not overwhelming or overly "memorable".&nbsp; To me they add richness and interest in the right versions and fabrications, are more flattering face-colors than most "typical" neutrals. And they can be layered tonally &nbsp;or combined.</p> <p>So it's not just about "red is a neutral" but that I&nbsp;want to work in&nbsp;more of these&nbsp;"quiet colors", maybe&nbsp;I actually want these to be&nbsp;a&nbsp; higher percentage of total&nbsp;items, &nbsp;whilst others might do more true-neutrals of black, navy, white, cream.&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />I do think it's a challenge, though because it can be harder to find better quality items, which are often produced only in one or 2 neutral colors. So need to balance color goals with other aspects. </p>