https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/value-variation-in-core-neutrals Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 20 Apr 2026 03:48:34 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/value-variation-in-core-neutrals#post-1473111 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 12:51:27 +0000 Sherry 1473111@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Dimity and Sterling for your thoughts !&nbsp; There seems to be a trend in making minimalism of wardrobe the expected norm instead of just a personal choice, or perhaps I'm just interpreting it that way.&nbsp; I confess that I am struggling with a color consideration.&nbsp; Since I have warm muted coloring, I"m not sure that denim blue is really one of my best colors.&nbsp; I know that most people treat it as a neutral, but when I wear three pieces in that color, even mixing it up with pattern texture, or value variation, I don't like the result unless I introduce a warm top or accent such as an ivory top or warm color as red, salmon, copper, etc.as a topper.&nbsp; Denim blue is so ubiquitous in the marketplace, and values of brown in jeans&nbsp; are much less so.&nbsp; Obviously khakis in summer are available, but for year round use, I like the texture and weight of denim material .&nbsp; It seems that the marketplace is geared toward people who are cool colored with black being the most general color available for dressy clothes. We warm colored people often have to wait years for a given warm color to show up for replacement or wardrobe addition purposes.&nbsp; On top of it, my weight fluctuates up and down, requiring different sizes, so when I see one of my core neutral colors, I do a purchase of multiple varied pieces in that color for year round function, from shorts through trousers, pullover sweaters, and Winter cardigans.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp; To solve my denim dilemma, I think that I shall gradually ease out of blue denim,and replace it with brown values, as I come across them.&nbsp; However, my eye also calls out for cool color contrasts to my otherwise warm ensembles.&nbsp; Perhaps use the coolest colors within my Autumn color spectrum, such as teal, darkened aqua, a warmer turquoise and periwinkle blue as tops or toppers with my warm bottoms of various values ?&nbsp; Anyone else having the same issue?&nbsp; How have you solved it ?&nbsp; I guess this approach would help solve my stuffed closet syndrome ! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/value-variation-in-core-neutrals#post-1473089 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 11:33:21 +0000 Anonymous 1473089@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi. &nbsp;Wonderful and very insightful post. &nbsp;You understand colors far better than I ever will. &nbsp;</p> <p>I agree wholeheartedly with Dimity. &nbsp;There is no need to cull items unless you feel overwhelmed. &nbsp;From what I read, you have a firm grasp on your closet. &nbsp;</p> <p>I am off to read the Vivienne Files. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/value-variation-in-core-neutrals#post-1473080 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 10:29:22 +0000 Dimity 1473080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry, satellite Internet playing up. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/value-variation-in-core-neutrals#post-1473079 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 10:27:55 +0000 Dimity 1473079@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you feel overwhelmed then by all means reduce some of your items, but I think that having lots of different colors can work if they do work with your neutrals. There seems to be a trend at the moment that minimal equals good and maximal equals bad but stuff is just stuff and needn't create guilt unless you let it. I love the inner and outer columns. Brilliant. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/value-variation-in-core-neutrals#post-1473078 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 10:27:32 +0000 Dimity 1473078@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you feel overwhelmed then by all means reduce some of your items, but I think that having lots of different colors can work if they do work with your neutrals. There seems to be a trend at the moment that minimal equals good and maximal equals bad but stuff is just stuff and needn't create guilt unless you let it. I love the inner and outer columns. Brilliant. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/value-variation-in-core-neutrals#post-1473055 Sun, 12 Apr 2015 05:14:54 +0000 Sherry 1473055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the efficiency of the concept of multiple pieces to suit the season and the function of 2 or 3 core neutrals with multiple accent colors, which change with the season. I take a given basic color like brown, as I am a warm, muted Autumn colored blonde , with low to medium contrast in my personal coloring, and use the brown as my primary winter neutral. The second Winter neutral is a mid value of brown or taupe. That same mid value becomes my dark value in warmer months, coupled with tan or khaki, or stone in the summer. I love a variety of color, texture, and medium to small patterned tops and limiting them to two colors is waaaay too restrictive to me. E's post from several years ago really resonated with me, as I do have a lot of clothes, as I crave a variety of options ! Part of me feels that I should pare down to fewer accent colors, as my large walk-in closet is getting pretty stuffed, but I am having great difficulty deciding which color cluster to emancipate ! Being a minimalist is just not me. I do use the outer and inner column concept as I am short, but I vary that with texture or pattern or color in the top or topper. I also like to use a variety of shade values to make the contrast. For instance, an inner column of tan pants, a lighter beige top, and then a darker brown topper. All the same basic color --brown, but just varied values (lightness or darkness) of brown. Janice , of the Vivienne Files , just did an excellent post on that topic this week,<br /> using the high contrasts of white, black, and tan outfits placed in various combinations of the three values, along with a scarf and shoes in each of the three values.<br /> She then did a post , using the same clothes, but varying it with various toned and patterned scarves and shoes, and finally, using striped and/or patterned<br /> tops in the various combinations and the effects they produce to create a variety of looks with just a few additional pieces. </p>