https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6 Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:16:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2298004 Sat, 24 Dec 2022 08:46:56 +0000 rachylou 2298004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Deep teal anything and electric blue shoes - I wanted, did not find, gave up… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297942 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 22:13:30 +0000 jussie 2297942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>UmmLila: me too! I’m colour driven, sometimes at the expense of common sense!<br /> Suntiger: kettlewell is a great idea. Thanks. I like the look of some of their stuff. And yep, it’s a good time for those that love earth tones. Enjoy!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297895 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 15:36:40 +0000 Anonymous 2297895@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For a long time warm colors like browns were not available at all in anything but very casual pieces, so happy to have them now!<br /> I do wish that clothes from all the color seasons were regularly available all year- in all different types of clothes (work, casual, and gear). Have you checked Kettlewell? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297890 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 14:46:02 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2297890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Like Angie, I would like to see navy in more places where black reigns. I often wear black basics or foundational wardrobe pieces (coats, pants) because they're more readily available. But I know I look better in navy.</p> <p>I am very focused on color in my wardrobe choices. I could never be one of those people that has the camel-grey-black-cream uniform.</p> <p>When I see a color I like, I sometimes get blinders and buy a piece that isn't perfectly right just because I love the color (purple, teal, greens, I'm looking at you.) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297884 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:57:01 +0000 Bijou 2297884@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Valentino Pink from the FW 2022/23 collection is what I am waiting to filter down into affordable clothing - that and cobalt. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297874 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 08:12:14 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2297874@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, if we’re going to talk about searching for colors on shopping sites…. Actually a general peeve of mine is that the search engines don’t let you rule anything out, only add things in, so you wind up with way too many to scroll through </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297867 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 04:41:38 +0000 Suz 2297867@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Zaeobi, </b>my Capricorn brain is nodding along with you....&nbsp; we may live on opposite sides of the planet, but we are little sea goats through and through! :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297863 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 03:43:23 +0000 Zaeobi 2297863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, Carla's photos highlights my pet peeve - the 'Multi' option on so many websites can include any colours whatsoever in the prints! </p> <p>I'd prefer it if retailers categorised prints by their major background colour, but I may be in the minority here </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6/page/2#post-2297855 Fri, 23 Dec 2022 02:36:44 +0000 jussie 2297855@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm those club Monaco pants do look nice…. Ok… I did a quick spot of shopping this morning (not for clothes, alas), but I saw the stores as I walked past. I can officially say the current most common colours I saw were: beiges and creams of all kinds, blush pink, and olive. Seems like at the moment we could safely say blush pink and olive are considered neutrals? It’s something to ponder.<br /> Thank you everyone for your interesting thoughts on the issue of colour availability. Seems like some people are feeling a lack and others are not. I wonder if some cities typically have more adventurous shoppers, therefore stock a broader variety?<br /> Kkards: THANK YOU! Your explanation of how the retail world works is enlightening. Basically a store has a certain amount to spend on, just for example, sundresses. They will likely spend a large percentage of that sundress budget on neutrals, and maybe a small bit of it in choosing one or two popular colours to also stock the sundress in. I imagine brands that are known for colour variety or “quirkiness” may spend a larger percentage of their sundress budget on colours, and a smaller percentage on neutrals.<br /> And of course we haven’t even delved into prints! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297810 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:41:53 +0000 Angie 2297810@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Suz,</b> sooooo with you on Club Monaco. Love the quality, fit, and many of the silhouettes - but the colours do not suit me 99% of the time.</p> <p>That said, just scored these pants, and LOVE them!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297809 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:39:25 +0000 Suz 2297809@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Carla</b>, that's brilliant. And you are so right -- some retailers barely feature colour at all! Club Monaco quality tends to be high and I can get a good fit there but I rarely find anything in a colour, let alone a colour I like, LOL. I do occasionally find neutrals there and even found my red sweater there.&nbsp; </p> <p>So many of those greens right now are olive. And many of the other colours are muddied versions. I do think we can find more online than in store right now -- and maybe forever....</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297805 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:24:13 +0000 Angie 2297805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually <b>Jussie</b>, I see all these so called rare colours at retail here in the US! Especially online. Some have been very popular - like the dusty pinks, rose pinks, peaches, rose taupes, and the greens you mention.&nbsp;</p> <p>What is still everywhere is earth tones - going into its 7th year..... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297804 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 16:21:45 +0000 Carla 2297804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay. &nbsp;I often shop using colour as a filter. &nbsp;As an exercise, I ‘shopped’ a big Canadian department store called HBC or Hudson’s Bay Company (or the Bay) using ‘women’s clothing’ and colour as a filter.</p> <p>yellow - 4038 items<br />purple - 3052 <br />red - 4790<br />pink - &nbsp;7313<br />orange - 1647<br />white - 11,716<br />grey - 5877<br />green - 6572<br />blue - 13,105<br />black - 22,541<br />beige - 5956<br />brown - 8123</p> <p>Admittedly there were lots of different shades within each colour, but kind of interesting. &nbsp;I’ve shopped some sites, like Club Monaco, where the palette selection is limited to neutrals, and some colours don’t even figure in their colour selection filter.</p> <p>Colour filter choices for #1 Aritzia, #2 club Monaco, #3 COS</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297799 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 15:36:37 +0000 LaPed 2297799@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This question has really got me thinking! I definitely feel a sort of fatigue toward certain colours when I start to notice them everywhere. A decade ago, I felt this way about grey/white or grey/cream combos. Then I began to feel the same way about blush/“millennial pink”. Right now there seem to be too many of what I think of as nineties colours—very softened earth tones like mushroom and taupe. Now, I like earth tones, but they need to be deep and punchy, not the washed-out muted ones that seem to be all over the place right now. Current palettes seem very flat to me, the colours (and maybe fabrics) lacking depth and richness.</p> <p>Locally, what’s available in shop windows seems pretty much the same as always. Standard-issue preppy colours like navy and tan, classic holiday colours like hunter green, burgundy, and red buffalo plaid. I think the buyers and merchandisers are playing it very—perhaps too?—safe… Certainly nothing much that catches my eye.</p> <p>My colour wishlist would include very dark plum and eggplant, slate/grey-blue, and charcoal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297790 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:34:20 +0000 Synne 2297790@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I find this fascinating. As Zaeboi is onto; the colours are made to appeal to a majority of the segment. I live in Scandinavia, and perennial available colours (at available price points) seem to be mostly navy, cream, olive, burgundy, cobalt blue and burnt orange. I wonder why, because these are not what I'd consider the most flattering on the majority of the people I see (I would never say that out loud of course, heh).</p> <p>Maybe these colours are culturally perceived as "normal colours", while others are "weird colours"?<br /> "What would my coworkers say if I wore this quirky shade of yellow?". "This pewter blue seems hard to style, so I won't bother".</p> <p>Edit: or maybe the colours I listed first are perceived as "non-colours" (per Amy Smilovic). So not as scary. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297785 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 14:06:12 +0000 Zaeobi 2297785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@jussie<br /> I believe runway trends affect this too - that famous Devil Wears Prada scene (about how the jumper Andi is wearing comes from 'cerulean') springs to mind:<br /> <a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vL-KQij0I8I" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vL-KQij0I8I</a><br /> Also, when you say 'deep teal' is available pretty reliably there, is it cool or warm? It's the latter I have a hard time sourcing. </p> <p>@olive<br /> Those 'off' colours are exactly what sells here - hence most local shops sell the 'Uniqlo' shades too. I wonder whether it has something to do with what suits the local populations too? Those colours look great on most of the HK population, but awful on me. On the other hand, I know I can try on most clothes in PK stores without worrying about undertones, yet in the UK I don't tend to shop in winter &amp; spring (except for during deep discounts) because I know I'll get frustrated trying to find 'my' shades!</p> <p>I can believe the customs agents situation - I've also noticed colours looking different in different countries. I remember as a kid, wanting something in the UK but my parents would always buy me the South Asian version instead, since it was cheaper. It was never the same colour (let alone anything else) but my parents just couldn't understand why I'd be so upset, lol :P<br /> These days, whenever I fly home, it feels like a grey filter has been placed over everything the moment I step off the plane - even when it *isn't* raining! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297783 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 13:54:47 +0000 kkards 2297783@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>…. Overall this results in colours that aren’t having a big trend moment just not being made at all, as large enough quantities won’t sell<br />again lets step back, colors that are not having a big trend moment are generally not being made by large retailers who are offering lower retails, but might be offered by smaller niche brands. &nbsp;One of the reasons that people like Angie watch and recap for us what’s happening on the runways and in designer fashion is because they are making smaller bets and larger retailers are watching to see which ones pay off so that they get in on the action</p> <p>Re Pantone color of the year, because this is a fashion site, we are very focused on fashion. But the Pantone color is not always about fashion, home furnishings, appliances, cars, etc are all very color trend driven as well. And the Pantone colors often translate into these categories </p> <p>different retailers have different methods of deciding how and which colors to buy. But generally they know that colors A and B are X% of the sales and so buy all the other colors around that. So that people like us don’t complain about how could they be out of stock on a &nbsp;white tee shirt in medium. &nbsp;Many brands will set a color palette before they start to work on that seasons offering so that the story, ie the way the brand looks and/or the brands stores, will look cohesive, appealing and like it was meant to work together&nbsp;<br />I’m not currently working in fashion, but in the business i work in now, and in the past when i did work in fashion, &nbsp;there is a definite budget for each categories type, &nbsp;which is farther broken down by individual items. This budget is directly related to the sales that we think each item will generate and at what price (ie the profit margin), so if we are only buying X units of something, we than decide how many colors we can afford to order of that thing. &nbsp;<br />Hope that answered your question&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297782 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 13:51:41 +0000 unfrumped 2297782@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One problem is that color names are all over the map.<br /> I have had some luck searching under a range of color names that might be what I want, or even close. Then also if I find a good color in a brand, even if it’s an item I won’t use, I’ll search under their colors- like Boysenberry or dark cherry or currant- to see if they made anything else like a sweater or T shirt.<br /> Of co might have to rapidly scroll through hundreds of items- if you searched Nordstrom- pink, for example.<br /> Using Nordstrom as example because they have a variety of brands. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297780 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 13:19:57 +0000 jussie 2297780@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kkards: thank you for that insight. Ok, so let me get this straight, stores will stick with the basic nuetrals, then produce whatever is a hot colour trend currently? So presumably now it will be magenta given it’s the Pantone colour for 2023…. Overall this results in colours that aren’t having a big trend moment just not being made at all, as large enough quantities won’t sell.<br /> How does the creative process of the designer come into it? Do the designers for, say, target or Cos, have a brief to stick to the main trend colours? Or do they design all kinds of stuff and the buyers only order the trend colours. Or do they have a small budget in reserve for a few “wild card” items each season?<br /> I’m sorry to pepper you with questions, don’t feel you have to answer, I know I’ve veered off the track a bit. It’s just a fascinating industry. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297779 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 13:05:36 +0000 kkards 2297779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have the key to you dilemma right here<br />“affordable price points”<br />in apparel manufacturing one of the most important elements of keeping the costs low is getting maximum yields and producing large quantities. So almost all decisions are made with the mindset of what will appeal to the most people.&nbsp;<br />And yes, different colors for different places, but still “fringe colors” or colors that won’t appeal to the majority in what ever place the retailer is working in are risky and most large retailers (ie the ones that will offer affordable price points) are pretty risk adverse&nbsp;<br />That is not to say that some or all of the colors on your wish list won’t become “trendy” at some point and than flood the market, but they probably won’t be mainstream all of the time.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297770 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 11:11:56 +0000 jussie 2297770@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Olive green: that’s very fascinating about the customs agents. Wow. Yeah uniglo does seem to have its own aesthetic… they certainly always seem to stock mushroom-y shades and muted shades quite a bit. Honestly I’m a big fan of their whole thing really.<br /> Slim Cat: yes it’s all very “same-ey” isn’t it?<br /> Suz: yes, if only we could get rid of those darn earth tones and beiges taking up all the space ;). Just kiddding, they are great but one does tire of them after a while. What I wouldn’t give to see the stores overflowing with all different sea foam green garments, and a massive influx of, say, apricot coloured pants…. Also the other thing I wish was that I could wear bright white. It’s perennially available in vast quantities, but looks so dreadful on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297769 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 11:07:11 +0000 Olive Green 2297769@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>With Runcarla on the Uniqlo colours being a little different. Subtly ‘off’ in some way, to the Western eye. Delicious to me.&nbsp;<br />The colour suites available to shop used to be more differentiated as you traveled round the world. Customs agents apparently have a great eye for counties of origin of manufactured objects, and can tell if you are smuggling in a lot of undeclared new stuff by colour! Shetland sweaters from the UK were less bright than those marketed in the US, for instance.<br />Probably a flatter world now, with all the global clothes offerings.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297768 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 11:00:47 +0000 jussie 2297768@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sisi: yes, sometimes it seems there are just so many nuetrals all the time. Glad you are finding some more vibrant colors lately.<br /> Jessikams: it would be fabulous to have more heathered colors generally. I love a good heathered dove grey, much<br /> more forgiving than solid grey :).<br /> Zaeobi: that’s interesting… deep teal is available pretty reliably here. It may be that certain colors sell better in different locales? I can only assume hotter places favor more summery hues?<br /> Jaime: I know with paint pigments certain pigments are a lot more expensive so I wonder if it’s the same with dyes??<br /> Runcarla: thank you for the tips, especially about lands end. I haven’t heard of them but it looks great. Uniglo is good too, although in Australia at uniglo we don’t have as extensive of a range of colours, particularly in the puffer jackets.<br /> Janet: Emerald green seems to periodically come out here in small amounts. Actually sometimes around Christmas it makes an appearance, you know with the whole red and green vibe. I am grateful that in the last few months we are finally getting light turquoise and aqua, which were absent for years prior to that. Theoretically green, being the colour of leaves, should go with all other colours…the way leaves look good with any colour of flower. So I don’t see why it isn’t more popular and used almost like a nuetral really. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297762 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 08:59:49 +0000 Sisi 2297762@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I understand you soooo well! For years I have struggled to find at retail "my" colours:&nbsp; light colours, cool pastels, jewel&nbsp;tones. Everything was black-grey-brown-beige. Shopping was super frustrating. Fortunately in recent times I have seen a return of more cheerful colors and shopping has become immediately easier. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297749 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 05:27:04 +0000 Jessikams 2297749@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ugh, navy! It’s everywhere! I would prefer a “petrol” or mineral blue.<br /> I would also love more heathered dark charcoal but sometimes it is nowhere to be found. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297735 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 03:09:55 +0000 Zaeobi 2297735@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess it depends on where you are. I think you need to all come shop in HK, lol - lots of cool reds/ burgundys, dusky shades, creams &amp; pastels abound! All terrible on me </p> <p>A deep teal is still very difficult for me to find here - I've had *some* luck ordering teal blue elsewhere (you'd call it a dark Kingfisher Blue) but still no truly deep teal greens </p> <p>@jussie just saw your follow-up comment - no wonder I've been shopping up a storm at Zara this season, lol! *Hides wallet* </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297723 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 02:05:46 +0000 Vildy 2297723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've read that regular greens are the hardest colors to find because manufacturers produce less of them on the theory that they sell poorly.&nbsp;<br />Of course, if there were more to buy perhaps they'd sell better. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297720 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 01:58:00 +0000 Jaime 2297720@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting - I am less aware of this as a primarily second hand shopper but now am wondering if some colors are cheaper to produce or else if some are just more reliable sellers.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297718 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 01:11:36 +0000 jussie 2297718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A quick addit: in fairness, I should acknowledge that Zara does stock a pretty massive variety of colours. I feel like they are one of the few retailers offering true variety. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-colours-never-available-at-retail%e2%80%a6#post-2297714 Thu, 22 Dec 2022 00:57:58 +0000 Janet 2297714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>For instance, when I’ve searched on the Nordstrom site for “green tops” I get a sea of sour yellow greens, olives, and a tiny selection of anything close to an emerald. It’s been sad for those of us who prefer jewel tones. </p>