https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 01:11:51 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color/page/2#post-1387881 Sun, 02 Nov 2014 15:24:03 +0000 rachylou 1387881@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good stuff!</p> <p>I never feel confident about undertones. And it's never a simple thing to go outside to have a look at something in "clear, bright, sunlight." </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color/page/2#post-1387351 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 16:33:21 +0000 Anonymous 1387351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This has been such an interesting thread to read! I'm loving your colour choices Isabel and your plan for neutrals, expanders and statements seems very sound. I'm looking forward to seeing you in some of the lovely Aubergine tones you mentioned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387346 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 16:20:31 +0000 Isabel 1387346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Angie ! &nbsp;hahahahahaha, I think I would rather be the high speed train. &nbsp; Don't want to get too high in the clouds. &nbsp; &nbsp;: &nbsp;) &nbsp;But &nbsp;Acela doesn't rhyme with Boeing .&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387343 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 16:18:26 +0000 Angie 1387343@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>*applause*</p> <p>You are going like a Boeing, Isabel.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387334 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 16:11:19 +0000 Isabel 1387334@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you everyone, what great insights and support.&nbsp;</p> <p>Staysfit, I have not seen your posts but now I will go back and read them ! &nbsp;Thank you, I am very excited about that. &nbsp;I have always been attracted to certain colors, particularly in flowers, but I just couldn't place it well enough to then identify it in clothing. &nbsp;</p> <p>Caro, yes, it feels like such a major discovery. I actually feel a little "artsy". &nbsp;LOL&nbsp;</p> <p>Denise, I have always believed in the undertones but I just couldn't figure it out. I just didn't see it. &nbsp;Like Diana said, I would do the vein test and think that my veins were blue-green. &nbsp;And I definitely didn't see it in&nbsp;color. To me , blue was blue.&nbsp;&nbsp;I knew there were colors that made me feel good but I couldn't figure out why one blue was something I would love to wear yet the other blue was not. &nbsp;It is almost embarrassing to admit. &nbsp; I think that I am going to end up with closer to 40 items when I am done. My main, essentials capsule elements&nbsp;will probably be around 18. &nbsp;Then expanders and add-ons ( statements ).&nbsp; Not including shoes, coats, scarves, jewelry. &nbsp;Though at the end, I will document what I have in that.....which is a lot in accessories. &nbsp;And it wasn't so much about what looked best on me but the colors that make my heart sing. &nbsp;I wore over and over again the eggplant jacket that Angie recommended for me. &nbsp;It took me months to figure out it was because the color just made me damned happy ! &nbsp;I love looking at my new sweater and thinking, " God, I LOVE this color ! " &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;: &nbsp;)&nbsp;</p> <p>PalmFronds and A, &nbsp;I was totally in your shoes. I don't know why it was so hard to have something that really works without having all the "what-ifs". &nbsp;Why are we soooo reticent to have just enough and what works. &nbsp;I cannot figure the psychology behind this. &nbsp;I actually packed up a bunch of stuff at the end of August. &nbsp;I would wear somethings then decide I wasn't sure about it, then I would pack it away and pull something else out. &nbsp;Then finally, I knew what was staying and I gave the other stuff away. &nbsp; A, it is particularly interesting to me that you did it for 3 weeks in a hotel ( ! ) yet there is something that is still making you feel uncomfortable. &nbsp;</p> <p>Diana, I LOVE your assessment. I have not gotten that far ! &nbsp;But you are so right. Just this year I started switching my make up summer and winter. &nbsp;I guess that after years of reading that you were either a summer or a winter , I believed that it was either or and not a spectrum. &nbsp;What a great thought about the&nbsp;&nbsp;visible light spectrum. You are so right. &nbsp;I am going to have to stare at it ( I am not kidding ) to really see it. &nbsp;Brilliant.&nbsp;</p> <p>E, yes, it is amazing how hard it is to have a common language for color. &nbsp;I did some pantone stuff and some decorating sites to have it have some consistency in my head. &nbsp;You nailed exactly what my problem has been, that greyed, dusty colors are very hard to find. Very hard. This is a good season for it. The colors this fall/winter are my type of colors . &nbsp;Maybe after this season, you will find some grey based violets. &nbsp;This really brought home for me what Angie always says regarding being patient, leaving no retail stone unturned and don't settle. &nbsp;I LOVE your point regarding looking yellow if the color is TOO warm. &nbsp;I will have to notice if that is what happens with me. &nbsp;Great insight.&nbsp;</p> <p>KK, Golden, Sharon, Firecracker, Karie, thank you so much for being interested ! &nbsp;LOL. &nbsp;I was uncertain that this would add anything to the forum. I appreciated it and will continue to post on it. &nbsp; &nbsp;: &nbsp;)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387273 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:44:40 +0000 Staysfit 1387273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isabel, congratulations! I love your color choices! If you have read my recent posts you will see that you are not alone discovering your colors fairly late. I am two months shy of 50 and just learned that my colors are light summer, which are light cool and soft. I recently picked some neutrals for my fall/winter clothes - winter white, light grey, and light to medium denim blue. For tops I am using cool greens, Greys, periwinkle to sky blue, winter white and Ivory, and accents are cool watermelon reds, rose and coral pinks. I am so happy with my wardrobe now. I look forward to getting dressed every day. My closet has been honed down and things are starting to come together like never before. I look forward to seeing how you work with your new found colors and wish you all the best as you pull together your new looks! XO </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387268 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:27:31 +0000 Diana 1387268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>A science-y thought:</p> <p>If you think about the spectrum of visible light, the progression is ROYGBIV (red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet) where Indigo is between blue and violet.&nbsp; So you could also think of your eggplant purple as indigo. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387262 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:17:30 +0000 E 1387262@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I forgot to add I spent years thinking I must be warm because my skin is not pink the way my sister's is; it has some olive in it and I tan quickly. I'm glad I finally read about the neutral seasons and figures out that cool colours flatter me best! Ironically, my skin only looks really yellow if I'm wearing colours too warm for me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387261 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:13:19 +0000 E 1387261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now that's interesting because I've always thought of aubergine and berries as redder purples, because mentally I'm comparing them to violet (<a href="http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_(color)" rel="nofollow">http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violet_(color)</a>). I see lots of redder purple when I'm out thrifting, but almost none of my favourite greyed violets, so purple is underrepresented in my wardrobe. Your aubergine spectrum is beautiful and I'm sure it will suit you. </p> <p>I too love muted cooler tones and find colour theory just fascinating. I have some colour cards from yarn companies and they're so fun to look at/play with! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387258 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:09:44 +0000 kkards 1387258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>i'm impressed with how much thought and analysis you have put into this. especially on the color side….this is something that i really need to do. i know what colors i like, but i haven't spent the time to figure out why. looking forward to the next update in your journey.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387255 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:01:45 +0000 Diana 1387255@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Eggplant is such a gorgeous color!&nbsp; I agree you look fantastic in it - I saw the jacket when you bought it in Boston, and it is definitely your color.</p> <p>I resonate with a lot of what you've said.&nbsp; For a long time, I too operated under the assumption that I was super yellow (because Asian = yellow, duh).&nbsp; But actually I think I am much more neutral toned, especially when I am not tanned.&nbsp; So you know how they say you can tell if you are warm or cool based on whether your veins appear green or blue/purple?&nbsp; This has always perplexed me because if you look at my wrist or inner elbow, I literally have one blue vein and one green vein right next to each other. </p> <p>The nice thing about being neutral toned is that I think you can use things like hair color, makeup, and even clothing color to "shift" your color palette to some degree.&nbsp; I can, for example, wear either a deep autumn or a deep winter palette fairly successfully, especially if I change my hair color or even if I just put some bridging colors (like teal) into the outfit.&nbsp; </p> <p>When I'm tanned, I look more yellow, because I tan golden and not brown.&nbsp; I used to also have my hair dyed red, which would fade out to cognac.&nbsp; This also made me appear a lot more warm toned.&nbsp; But now my hair color is actually like a blackened eggplant.&nbsp; The base color is purple, which I like because it does not fade out to cognac the way the red did.&nbsp; This has totally made me appear less yellow, especially in winter when I am pale.&nbsp; </p> <p>I guess I am lucky that my favorite color (teal) and neutral (black) work for me no matter what my hair color/skin tone is, LOL.&nbsp; FWIW I do think that teal is a universally flattering color.&nbsp; </p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387250 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:32:13 +0000 Anonymous 1387250@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love these threads on colour and capsules.</p> <p>I'm a warm, think autumn. When I like something before I buy, I ask myself would I see this colour in nature in the fall. Nine times out of ten the question is solved (put back that light grey and black lol).</p> <p>In regards to capsules, this summer we lived in a hotel for 3 weeks (work transfer ) so I packed a very small capsule that had casual and work overlap. It worked beautifully but I am not brave enough to cull my real closet down that far </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387246 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 11:46:30 +0000 PalmFronds 1387246@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow I love this idea and goal of yours. Those aubergine shades are gorgeous by the way! I'll be joining you in this type if journey I think. This week I actually missed my pregnancy wardrobe and I realized its because it was so simple and encapsulated, not overwhelming like the rest of my closet! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387222 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 06:19:29 +0000 CocoLion 1387222@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your closet of around 20 items still sounds super minimal to me! &nbsp;I am impressed with your color understanding. &nbsp;Reading threads like these teaches me, and maybe in several more years I will come to a better understanding of my own best color choices.</p> <p>I do think there's something to warm and cool undertones, but I find the differences are more dramatic with the color red. &nbsp;For example, a warm red looks so much better on me than a cool red, whereas a warm green and cool green aren't that dramatically better or worse on me. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387218 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 05:29:52 +0000 Golden 1387218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like an interesting plan and I look forward to following your journey. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387212 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 05:13:05 +0000 Sharon 1387212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This was really interesting and helpful to read. Thanks for sharing the process with us. I am looking forward to seeing and hearing more of you new capsule. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387203 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 04:55:20 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1387203@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isabel, your thoughts are really interesting to read. I like your plan--it sounds exciting to get things whittled down to what you really, really want to wear. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387196 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 04:22:03 +0000 Karie 1387196@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>So interesting, Isabel! You've done a lot of thinking and investigating with this, and I'm looking forward to seeing the outfits you create. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387187 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:38:03 +0000 Caro in Oz 1387187@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My colour "moment" was realising I need to wear&nbsp;soft colours that are on the border of warm &amp; cool, so I understand the importance of your discovery. Can't wait to see where you go with this. Those eggplant tones? shades? are fabulous&nbsp;&nbsp;:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387186 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:36:19 +0000 Isabel 1387186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri , that makes total sense. &nbsp;My daughter has cool undertones but she is very yellow blonde. &nbsp;Interesting. &nbsp; The two is more "milky" ...which is what I love to wear. &nbsp;"Milky" &nbsp;LOL&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387184 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:34:15 +0000 Isabel 1387184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suz, LOL ! &nbsp;I also had all my essentials. &nbsp;I just had to give them a name and a "job". &nbsp;" You are my essentials. You shall work hard and be accommodating to everything. So I say . " &nbsp; : )</p> <p>It is funny that you say that about teal and eggplant. For decades, I thought that I had very strong yellow undertones. &nbsp;In fact, what I am is pasty. &nbsp;hahahaha &nbsp;I skew a bit more yellow but people who know this stuff, tell me I am actually more neutral skewing yellow - which is why I apparently look good in tomato red. I am more neutral than I thought.&nbsp;&nbsp;The manager at sephora told me and Angie said that I wasn't as yellow as I thought I was. Interestingly, she picked out an eggplant faux leather jacket for me when we were in Boston. And I just LOVED it. For months I kept trying to replicate what I thought was a dark purple. No wonder I found it no where.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am excited that we are embarking on this together, Suz !</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387183 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:31:48 +0000 Peri 1387183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I love both of those...but probably lean more toward 1 than 2. They are so close though!</p> <p>I have issues with teal. It does well with my skin and hair but clashes with my eyes. Is this weird, to have very cool skin and hair tones and warm eyes? That is my problem with some overly cool colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387181 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:20:04 +0000 Suz 1387181@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is terrific, Isabel. We are colour-sisters. My neutrals are denim, winter white (with some clear white or ivory), taupe (of course!), ink/ navy,&nbsp;and greys (from dove to charcoal). And most of my wardrobe -- certainly all my "essentials" are in those neutrals.&nbsp;</p> <p>My colours are a huge range of blues and the&nbsp;berry tones, all cool based. Plus some teal, which I guess is an "in-between" colour. And these tend to be my "expander" pieces.&nbsp;</p> <p>I've actually heard that teal and eggplant work on almost all complexions because they have both warm and cool undertones. But of course there are different versions of each and some are probably better than others for particular people.&nbsp;</p> <p>I am in the process of working out what my "essentials" are for winter and making a little "Collection" in the "Finds" section. My essentials would be my core items -- the wardrobe backbone. I think I own most of these already. But I also hope this will help me identify where I need to "expand" and add some statement items, because this is what my wardrobe currently seems to lack.&nbsp;</p> <p>In other words, I'm doing this all a**backwards, after the fact, instead of sensibly planning, as you are doing! :)&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387176 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:10:56 +0000 Anonymous 1387176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love how systematically you went about deciding on colors and how to use them and am looking forward to the next installment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387173 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:02:19 +0000 Debbie 1387173@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I look forward to your updates. I can't wait to see where this take you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387172 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 03:01:42 +0000 Isabel 1387172@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri,&nbsp;</p> <p>These are all considered gradations of "eggplant" or "aubergine" ! &nbsp; They are violet-blues. &nbsp; I know ! &nbsp;They are actually not considered "purples". &nbsp; I was so surprised. &nbsp;I love 2 and 3 also ! &nbsp;Apparently, true purple is considered to be more red based. &nbsp;It is considered a secondary color : &nbsp;a result of red and blue, two primary colors.&nbsp;</p> <p>I don't know about radiant orchid. &nbsp;But it is too clear for me ( pic 1 )&nbsp;. &nbsp;I LOVE the color ( below )&nbsp;, but I would rather wear something more "dusty" : &nbsp;which apparently translates to more grey undertones. &nbsp;Like in no. 2.&nbsp; I am telling you, I have learned quite a bit about color and it is making such a huge difference. &nbsp; &nbsp;: )&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387171 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 02:56:40 +0000 Peri 1387171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I love every shade of purple. Love love love everything purple. My top faves though are 2nd and 3rd from the left. What are those considered? Warm purple? The middle one looks like the love of my life, "radiant orchid".&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387166 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 02:48:10 +0000 Isabel 1387166@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Peri, hahahahah, I should have clarified that I prefer colors that are very cool. Ones with grey/dusty undertones or blues. &nbsp;The kinds of colors on the right. &nbsp;So for my expander colors, I am going with berry colors that are cool based. &nbsp;I added an eggplant gradation pic. &nbsp;Thanks !!</p> <p></p> <p>: &nbsp;)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387163 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 02:45:19 +0000 Peri 1387163@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I see the picture, but don't see any purple! Or eggplant! But your plan sounds good. I haven't entered planning mode...I just want stuff!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/the-first-installment-color#post-1387158 Sat, 01 Nov 2014 02:40:10 +0000 Isabel 1387158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Deb ! &nbsp;Also, thanks for spending minutes of your precious life on my long post. &nbsp; LOL.</p>