Advice sought: navigating a palette shift - YouLookFab Forum

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Advice sought: navigating a palette shift

Greenjeans

Veteran

Have you successfully navigated a wardrobe palette shift? If so, I'd love to hear how you managed the process, what worked and what didn't.

I'm still masking and my mask of choice is 3M's Aura. Alas, it only comes in surgical white. When everyone was masking this didn't feel like a big deal, but now that so few people are, I feel conspicuous. A few weeks ago I was at the dentist. My hygienist wearing a white coat and mask looked like an angel. Since then, I've had the idea to shift my wardrobe palette more to white to match the mask and (hopefully) look more intentionally pulled together. Because my current palette leans warm (ivory, ecru, autumn brights and darks) the process feels daunting.

Would you be willing to share what's worked for you and how you approached?

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Waisted Mock-neck T-shirt

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Linen Blend Puff Sleeve Pocket Shirtdress

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RAILS Kiki Tie Front Linen Blend Dress

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20 replies

Latest reply was from MLee

kkards

Veteran

Over time, I shifted my wardrobe from black based to a navy/dark blue based. It took time, as in 4-5 years. how quickly do you want to do this, because with enough investment you could do this in a season.

I guess the question is do you want/need to shift tops, toppers, bottoms and footwear (which is what I did). Or do you feel you can achieve what you’re looking for just by changing out your tops? That would be done fairly quickly and with a much smaller investment.

as an aside, would you consider switching out your masks? Probably not. But if you are, I love these https://masklab.us/collections/classic-colors which are available in different coolers and designs.

Irina

Veteran

Some time ago I added cream to my color palette. I started small, a few tops and sweaters, hats and scarves. Later I decided to take it further and bought a jacket, jeans and bags. I hope to expand as cream becomes more of an across the seasons, color for me.

It helped that I saw on Pinterest some color combination I didn’t consider before - like white and cream.

Wishing you luck!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Greenjeans, I still wear a white KN95 mask on public transport, at medical places, the vet, on planes, and at airports. (It's the only mask I wear too). FWIW, I don't worry one bit about it matching my outfit. It's like my specs - they don't match, but always go

Joy

Veteran

I tried shifting from black to navy or brown but it did not work because there are so many shades of navy or brown that do not work together so I ended up going back to black as a major dark neutral. If you are doing this in one season, it may work if you get all the pieces in the same shade at the same time. It also may help if they are the same fabric. Adding more later may result in clashing shades of color, even if they are listed as the same color.. You can add prints that include the color successfully later. I aim for a column of color, pants, skirt, topper, tops from tanks to long sleeves for at least possible wear for three seasons. That is the minimum for me. If the skirt and top do not make a good 2 piece dress, add a dress and topper for it, if needed. You will need shoes, but they do not have to match, socks and/or stockings, a coat and accessories, a scarf that could be a print, bag, and maybe swim wear. Good luck!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I just wear my white masks regardless when I mask. I still mask on transport, etc. And in medical offices and the like.

Another way you could do this would be to add a few white accessories (rather than changing the whole wardrobe). Or include items that have white in a pattern. Especially if you feel white is not among your best colours.

cat2

Veteran

My dentist double masks with a fabric mask on top of her medical grade mask. It’s what the CDC suggests for most effective masking. If you did that, the fabric mask could work with your existing wardrobe.

kkards

Veteran

Cat2–that’s a fabulous solution!

Barbara Diane

Veteran

White and off whites, ecru, etc. can look good together. Are you sure that your light bottoms don’t go with the white masks? If your mask is the only reason you want to shift your palette I like the idea of adding it in a multicolor scarf, or alone in a necklace, shoes, or bag. But if you haven’t already, why don’t you take some photos with your mask on and pretend it’s not you and see if you still think it’s necessary.

Bijou

Veteran

I would start with accessories and potentially outerwear in a light palette, I don't think you necessarily need to go for complete white.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I would be reluctant to change my whole palette for the sake of masking, so I would echo cat2’s idea. But if you really are wanting to lighten up your palette in general as well, I agree with the advice that all the light shades will “go” with the white mask even if they don’t match. I never think twice about seeing a white medical mask with any color of outfit!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I don't know that I'd call it a palette shift, per se. But I have added a dark, cool olive green to my wardrobe, to wear as a neutral and as a color. I have added it as I found the right shade, over a number of years. I first started probably about a decade ago--long enough that a lot of the items have come and gone already from my wardrobe. But over several years, I did get to the point where I have coats, shoes, and bags, so that I can readily pull together olive-based looks or capsules. I have sometimes thought I'd like to replace black with olive, but there are too many black clothes that I like to wear. So it stays, too.

Aquamarine

Veteran

I like cat’s idea! But working in a few white pieces in the warmer months should be easy, too.

I still mask in crowded situations, and my favorite KN95 mask comes in blue, black, and white colors—they all work for my clothing colors.

Anonymous

In your case, I wouldn't shift the whole palette. I'd just add a couple white pieces, prints with white, accessories, shoes with white soles- that sort of thing.
I personally am doing a palette shift, to a neutral based palette, but it's slow going, despite a lot of shopping. Still making lots of wardrobe mistakes!

Greenjeans

Veteran

Wow, wow, wow, thank you for the kind, thoughtful replies. Yes to not worrying about the look of my white mask at the doc's and on transport where I don't feel out of place. I run into trouble when working. (Parts of what I do are public facing). People who know me don't bat an eye. Newcomers, however.

Great suggestions re: adding some white accents. First stop: adding some plain white tees to my work wardrobe. Another thought, opting for the white-soled sneaks below? I already own and love the orange with orange soles.

Perhaps there's a chance here, to lighten up overall. I'm going to lean into it!

ILSE JACOBSEN Tulip 139 Perforated Slip-On Sneaker

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ILSE JACOBSEN Tulip 139 Perforated Slip-On Sneaker (Women)

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Greenjeans

Veteran

Barbara Diane, your kind question about light bottoms matching the mask was an eye opener. (I'm like, what light bottoms?!?)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

White soles on shoes are an instant way to add cohesion with a white mask. For sure! Also -- white watch strap (if you wear a watch), pearls (or white lucite) jewellery. A white or ecru bag or belt. A scarf with white or ivory in the pattern. You can do this!

Greenjeans

Veteran

White lucite. I love it, Suz! Would wear and enjoy, especially vintage. (Already over to Etsy.)

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Greyscale

Veteran

I've shifted my wardrobe from all black to a mix of black, grey, and white (and a few pastel shirts). Even though it's still monochromatic, it's taken some thought to coordinate. I found I was happiest with low-contrast combinations. So, white tees with my faded gray jeans, for instance. The gray jeans are the same intensity and overall effect of old, faded blue jeans but, ya know, gray.

So that makes me wonder if you can find a few colors or shades that you like combining with white, to help support it. For me it's the right gray. Others might prefer combining white with brights. Etc. Finding the level of contrast you like might help create a new capsule.

Aura masks really are amazing! I so wish they came in black. I've been wearing black KF94 masks in a smaller size that are almost as good a seal on me, but I wear Aura masks on airplanes and other high exposure settings.

Joy

Veteran

The death rate from COVID is still high here, so I mask up and am not the only one. Many of the workers in stores and medical facilities wear masks and ask that you wear one. The people at big gatherings or on public transport often wear them. I have attended funerals where masks ( usually black) are handed out and there is a request that all wear one. A few stores still require masks and clean hands and have them available for those who don’t have them.

MLee

Member

I’m in the midst of one right now. My plan is to add in a few lightweight scarfs, jewelry and other accessories closest to my face in the new colors first then gradually shift down my body to tops, bottoms, dresses etc. I don’t know how well that might work with white though. Maybe add a white belt, jewelry, vest that you wear at work. Maybe a headband? But I would say if it’s only to coordinate with the mask I don’t know if I would make palette changes but rather do as Cat2 suggested.