https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 01:46:53 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1224539 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 10:44:40 +0000 gryffin 1224539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK - I have not had a chance to read all the responses but just wanted to let you know that I did this about 2 yr ago, limiting my color palate,&nbsp;and I am even stricter.&nbsp; Black, gray, a&nbsp;little bit of cream/white and denim and primarily silver hardward, that's it.&nbsp; It is so helpful in making things work for me.&nbsp; I don't find this restrictive, I find it lilberating.&nbsp; My wardrobe has become more cohesive and I feel calm, put together and elegant.&nbsp; I want to come back and read through, but just wanted to let you know that this strategy has been really helpful to me!!&nbsp; Good luck with it!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1224174 Wed, 16 Apr 2014 00:14:23 +0000 Anonymous 1224174@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ironkurtin,<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; You are living my dream! Lol. I am trying to do this very thing myself, and posted a thread a couple of days back seeking advice etc. Your palette is lovely, and I only hope I can get to the place that you have, where everything is limited and cohesive. You seem very content and at home with your choices, and at bottom, isn't it about feeling good about what you are wearing and being at peace with it? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1107623 Sun, 08 Dec 2013 06:32:13 +0000 Jean Gray 1107623@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I've done this by default just because I get overwhelmed by options when I shop. But I recently became more intentional and it's made dressing more fun and shopping more tolerable. Funny that cobalt is what I've been leaning toward as a signature color (at least for winter) but I forgot the name and in my mind I've been calling it "electric blue".<br /> I also like the idea of limiting cuts of clothing that somebody has mentioned. I might start trying that too.<br /> I like navy but it seems I don't see it often when I shop, which surprises me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1107606 Sun, 08 Dec 2013 05:58:43 +0000 Anonymous 1107606@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so with you on this Dana. You have no idea.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1107514 Sun, 08 Dec 2013 03:35:44 +0000 FlorenceFearne 1107514@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>After years of trying unsuccessfully to bring more color into my closet, dying my hair a burgundy red was the last straw. I've just "officially" limited my color palette to black/grey/white with colors only in the wine-oxblood and teal-emerald spectrums. I have 1 or 2 items in ink blue and a few military inspired pieces in olive, but even those are likely to be phased out as I find suitable replacements. I have to say, it's among the best fashion choices I can recall making. Getting dressed is SO much easier, and I feel like myself in everything I own now.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1107364 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 22:41:11 +0000 Vicki 1107364@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK, this is a fascinating thread and I am slowly coming around to this way of thinking, especially after Claire stayed with me and I could see her minimal color up close and personal.</p> <p>I still love nautical stripes for my more casual, playful side&nbsp;and I find I'm a bit like Janet in that&nbsp;I sometimes go into a "neutral" period where certain colors hold reign for a time. &nbsp;Right now, it seems to be black, navy and cream with a maroon element thrown in.</p> <p>Beautiful words written by Una. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1107350 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 22:28:22 +0000 Alassë 1107350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>CocoLion, what are your best neutrals? You could add coral and emerald green to that set of colors, similar to Mo's palette selection plan (pick a few neutrals + a few core colors). It's hard to build a wardrobe around signature colors, imo; that's why we use neutrals so much. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1107293 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 21:24:51 +0000 E 1107293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Aubergine, I love your major/elective metaphor! I would get antsy if I limited my colours much more than I already do; as long as something is muted and cool enough to flatter me, it's fair game.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1107269 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 20:55:56 +0000 CocoLion 1107269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this makes a lot of sense! &nbsp;Your closet looks very cohesive with endless re-mixing possibilities.</p> <p>My wardrobe is still a riot of colors, although I now have a heavy selection of shades of grey -- which I also wear a lot (today included). &nbsp;It is so much easier not to have to match colors.</p> <p>Since I joined YLF 3 years ago I have purchased things in just about every color to see which ones I like and suit me. &nbsp;I'm now to the point where it's just too much, and I need to winnow.</p> <p>I think the problem is this: &nbsp;the colors that are easy to coordinate are black, white and grey (in my mind at least). &nbsp;But, they are not my "best" colors which are coral and emerald green. &nbsp;Those two are hard to build a closet around and if I solely focused on those colors I would sacrifice a lot of style. &nbsp;I guess I'm still trying to find the right solution. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1106751 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 03:09:35 +0000 Carla 1106751@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>September I lived out of a suitcase that was roll aboard sized with a palette limited to black, grey, blue (jean) and cognac. I felt fab every day and got good feedback on my wardrobe posts. </p> <p>Since then, I feel best with the limited palette, and a Mo post about neutrals and 2 colours has had ++ resonance. </p> <p>Probs is restricting the palette! Neutrals are taken care of - in order of dominance: black, grey, navy, blue jean blue, white, cognac. I would like to limit my colours. Purple is my signature, and cobalt. Yellow? 3 garments. Red? 3 garments? Blush (current crush 2 garments)! Teal green? 3 garments. </p> <p>I am thinking of relegating yellow and green to summer and vacay wardrobes, and investing on more red for winter. I have enough purple. I love the blush, but maybe phasing it out as a fad? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1106739 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 02:53:03 +0000 Anonymous 1106739@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've actually been thinking a little along these lines, although not quite to IK's extent.&nbsp;Within the last year or two, I've gotten more interested in wearing things in a medium-sized range of&nbsp;colors that I know work for me, rather than grabbing all the&nbsp;colors I can&nbsp;just because colors are pretty. In my case, the shades&nbsp;I've been going for include all kinds of&nbsp;warm, muted&nbsp;reds and purples; teals and turquoises; certain dark greens; black, especially when I&nbsp;pair it with something warmer; cognac; and the occasional gray or navy.</p> <p>I wonder if I should be a little more systematic about deciding that these colors are my&nbsp;"official" palette, or even refining it further. On one hand, it would obviously give me more focus when shopping, more potential for remixing, and a more unified wardrobe. On the other, I think cutting off other colors altogether would make me feel kind of antsy and deprived. (I'm not sure if there's a correlation, but I've also never been able to go on a diet in my life. I apparently have issues with telling myself I <i>can't</i> have something; it works much better when I can&nbsp;just persuade myself that I don't really want it anyway.) Maybe I need to just declare the color equivalent of a college major? So the majority of my "credits" would be in the colors that work best for me and that I keep reaching for anyway, but&nbsp;I could still take "electives" in whatever shade I want. </p> <p>And that closet picture is gorgeous! So many pretty textures.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1106731 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 02:44:55 +0000 Susie 1106731@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have gorgeous textures in your pieces. The simple colors allow those textures to be the focal point. Simple yet rich and interesting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors/page/2#post-1106716 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 02:19:27 +0000 MRL 1106716@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like this look and generally wear a limited palate. Simplicity can be very elegant. I do like to "punch it up a little" with little bits of&nbsp; bright color, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106692 Sat, 07 Dec 2013 02:07:56 +0000 thinkingfish 1106692@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've done the complete opposite. I love colors and combining/changing them make me so happy. So what I do is I limit the cut/material/pattern and focus on solid colors. I don't look good in most prints anyway- I have relatively bold features and a small frame.</p> <p>My only pants/jeans are straight leg or skinnies. I only wear above-knee A-line skirts (from almost straight to almost swingy) in stretchy, substantial fabrics, I'm very strict about the length of my sweaters/cardigan/coats- hitting either high hip or upper thigh. And the list goes on for all types of garments. This way, I can focus on mix and matching colors and stick to the very basic designs, which I prefer anyway.</p> <p>But this idea of having some limitation on constructing a wardrobe is very interesting and helpful. I totally agree with the concept of it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106432 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 21:14:08 +0000 Lisa 1106432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It looks like you have a lovely neutral based wardrobe. &nbsp;I find when one limits colors, shopping is a LOT easier. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106269 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 17:44:21 +0000 Anonymous 1106269@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not surprised this is working for you and I'm happy for you.&nbsp; From your WIW post before you started it looked as if you leaned this way already.&nbsp; I wouldn't mind the simplicity of dressing but being firmly on team color and pattern I would be bored fairly quickly.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106258 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 17:30:51 +0000 catgirl 1106258@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is my recent practice as well - black, grey, navy, metallic and some colors I&nbsp;love like citron, emerald and deep maroon, along with metallic.&nbsp; It is freeing the way classical poetry is - the structured format forcing you to be creative within a disciplined aesthetic, if that makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106253 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 17:22:54 +0000 Alassë 1106253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the update, Ironkurtin! I'm glad&nbsp;your limited palette is working so splendidly for you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106193 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 16:08:41 +0000 Jenava 1106193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do this as well, although not so narrowly as you. &nbsp;I have a couple of color "capsules" that I fit things into. &nbsp;For example, I will wear red with black or as a pop of color where I otherwise have no color in the outfit.&nbsp; The only red I own is two pair of red booties. &nbsp;I have a list of colors that are "in", and I tread carefully&nbsp;with other colors because they'll be orphaned. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106183 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:35:34 +0000 ironkurtin 1106183@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Added a bonus shot of some of my closet, plus a really blurry shot of me taken in low light because it is dim and gray today.&nbsp; Today I am breaking my own rule and wearing deep forest green AG stilts, because they are so velvety soft and comfortable. But they are so very dark deep green they play well with the grays IMO. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106176 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:31:57 +0000 Angie 1106176@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have adopted Greg's happy colour palette.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106167 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 15:19:24 +0000 Sara L. 1106167@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great to hear that you've found a system that works for you. I like the idea of limiting my colors in theory but have found it very difficult to do in practice. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106101 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 14:08:40 +0000 Janet 1106101@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hey, if it works, I say keep doing it! I think it sounds like a marvelous plan for keeping things simple and true to your style. </p> <p>I enjoy color, but I will find that for days on end at a stretch I will wear neutral outfits in greys, blacks, white, and denim. Although I'll often add something like turquoise boots or a scarf that pulls in a color. I enjoy that kind of dressing, whereas head-to-toe color often makes me feel too conspicuous. I find it fascinating how each of us has such different approaches to and tolerances for color in our style. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106096 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:59:23 +0000 amiable 1106096@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You inspired me to limit my color palette as well, and so far yesterday was my first departure from the reds, blues and black/gray/white with only plaids and stripes for patterns that I'd chosen. &nbsp;(Yesterday I wore a hectic paisley with my reds and blues for the Santana challenge, and I did really like it).&nbsp;</p> <p>Like you said, having the narrower field is really nice. &nbsp;I wonder if I'll like it all winter long, since that's the season where I crave the most variety. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106079 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:31:01 +0000 gryffin 1106079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IK - you are preaching to the choior on this one.&nbsp; I did this 3 yrs ago.&nbsp; I only&nbsp;own items that are &nbsp;black, gray, white, silver and denim in blue/black/gray.&nbsp; Scarves are usually in this palate but I have a couple at include an additional accent color.&nbsp; Footwear is black or gray.&nbsp; So much easier and my wardrobe is so much more functional.&nbsp; I do not feel limited.&nbsp; I feel empowered and authentic.&nbsp; Sometimes I do have to resist the lure of an item in a color but in my heart I know it will make me less happy.&nbsp; Hope this works out for you, it's been a really good decision for me!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106067 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 13:16:33 +0000 Anonymous 1106067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ironkurtin: Do what works for you! You need to feel good about the way you look.</p> <p>I find that limiting my colors keeps me looking my best (I know what flatters me and what doesn't) and keeps me from overspending. Same goes with patterns. I love, love, love color so it's never easy; but I'm happier with my wardrobe now than I've ever been in my entire life. I enjoy everything I wear. In the end, that's what it's all about. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106029 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 11:18:32 +0000 Deborah 1106029@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dana, I relate strongly to this thinking. In my recent purge, I have moved on patterned garments, keeping only animal print and stripes (I don't have much in the way of stripes) and also moved on most coloured items, though I really don't have many. My wardrobe is mostly grey, black and white. Blues are starting to figure in there as well and I am loving them as part of my colour palette. In terms of colour I do have a deep coral/orange top, a bright cobalt blue top and a green top for those rare days when I do crave colour... Each of these colours work well within my colour palette. The interesting thing is when I came to YLF I wore only black. Over time I have explored colour, incorporated some into my wardrobe and then purged it. But introducing the white, grey and blue has been revolutionary and I feel I have really got in touch with what works best for me:) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1106000 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 09:37:49 +0000 Alexandra 1106000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I can see why the limited color palette works for you. Your color choices are sophisticated and neutral, and you work with various textures. A limited color palette makes life much easier. At least, it does mine. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1105981 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 08:04:26 +0000 Sharon 1105981@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is really interesting to hear, as I have been toying with limiting my colour palette but worry about missing out on all the fun new colours. However, I realised this week that I actually feel more comfortable in neutrals and muted tones, so it's really good to hear such positive feed-back from someone who has exercised more self-disipline than me!<br />Did you just pick favourite colours or choose colours based on what you already had in your wardrobe? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/update-limiting-colors#post-1105979 Fri, 06 Dec 2013 07:15:00 +0000 ManidipaM 1105979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting and I found I never notice your palette restrictions evwn knowing about it. Which means you look that awesome too!</p> <p>For myself, I still crave some colourful prints but am finding I don't much enjoy flat vivid colours in winter at least. Wonder why... maybe because the need to layer leads to too many colours and textures or just boundary lines where fabrics meet... </p>