Sorry to hear you're not feeling great Viva. I hope you can bounce back soon.

I'm not sure if I had an epiphany so much as one was handed to me. I used to have a wardrobe of black, white, navy, denim/slate blue, grey, brown, beige and red. And the odd piece with colour, but nothing very exciting. When I went through the "Dressing your truth" program, it put me in an energy type that wore pure, saturated colours, and high contrast. Well, with the exception of red, this was very scary. But I figured I'd give it a try. And I think you know where this is going! When I wear those colours, it's like a light goes on in my skin, and I light up. As soon as other colours are present, this gets dulled. It didn't take long for me to purge a ton of stuff. So while I miss a lot of the colours I "shouldn't" wear, and sometimes feel like rebelling, the truth is that I just don't look as good. So why would I want to wear them? Now I enjoy all my non-palette colours on others, and am learning to make this pure palette my own. I do make the odd exception (this is why it was so hard for me to get the freebirds) but really, it's generally not worth it. Learning this has been invaluable. So I say pay attention to what you just experienced. Why wouldn't you want to look your best?

I might have to start a pro cobalt club.....anyone else in?

I dont know. There are many colours that look good on me that I don't like, like periwinkle and I just avoid them, so I don't think you need to embrace cobalt.

I too find chambray blah on me. Maybe it would be better with some good accessories...

I am surprised that you look good in optic white because you look so good in warm colours like beige and mustard.

You should keep posting pictures to YLF! We need to see you in more bell-bottoms!

Oh I'm in on the pro-cobalt club, Sally!
It looks good on me and great on my daughter with her peaches-and-cream complexion.

I'm sorry you're having such a frustrating time.

I look best in deep saturated colors as well, and I feel great wearing them. But sometimes, I just want my outfit to be a little quieter, calmer. More yin than yang, if you will. To me, chambray is perfect for this, because the fabrication already says casual, laid back. I suppose this is a form of mood dressing, but one I'm happy to accommodate.

As for cobalt...I have an *intense* lack of love for cobalt on me, no matter how much it may flatter.

Oh, forum! Thank you for chiming in. It's one of those times where I can really feel your warmth.

Angie, thank you for your sweet interest in what's going on with me. I'm not really sure except that, as Lisap says "the general world discord is really upsetting" and, coincidentally, I have been experiencing real difficulty adjusting from an intense work period (Jan-May) to a much less intense one. I had hoped to use late May / June to get back on track on some personal things ... re-establish my exercise routine because I have gotten weak and flabby; re-invigorate my interest in creative outlets, etc. But I have not been able to get myself going in any regular way, and my morning sessions with the paper and Facebook (ugh) just drag me down. (I should probably break that habit for a while.) And, it's summer, which means that I'm often just living in gear or shorts and a tee. I'm trying to address all of these things but mustering the energy has been a challenge. Caro, I am in total agreement that nature is a salve. I've been trying to get out with my dogs more lately, and to turn off my brain while walking (which can be hard to do).

Thank you all for listening and for being there for me even though I haven't been there much for all of you. I can't comment on every single post but please know I read and pondered every single one. Thank you all.

So many of you advocate holding on to the chambray and similar items, and I think I will do that for now. I can definitely relate to the value of choice and an overall more colorful wardrobe (Ledonna) and also the need to sometimes dress more quietly (Carter).

Thank you also to those who have acted on the desire to limit your palette (Vix, Elizabeth P et al. It was great to hear that perspective and the benefits of having a more limited but highly flattering set of choices.

I also really appreciate the comments about how photography benefits from intense colors (Peri and Lisa), and the potential value of looking at this again in the winter (Diana): these were important doses of rational thinking.

And finally, what is going on with cobalt? I think Angie needs to do a post on this color!!! I love that Lyn calls it bossy. Maybe that's the issue? But so many of us -- Lyn, Lisap, Una, Aida, Brooklyn, Caro, Carter -- have issues with it, despite the fact that it might work well on us. I think that's interesting. However, I did just buy two cobalt items. I'm stretching farther into the saturated zone.

PS Smittie, I wore long white flared jeans to see a show in Boston the other night. Sorry I didn't post a picture for you!

Viva, I'm on your team when it comes to cobalt and it is actually one of my best colors. Last year when the local baseball team (Royals) were in the World Series and everyone was wearing royal blue, I found I didn't have any in my rather large wardrobe and went thrifting.
I'm agreeing with the holding zone group. Best colors constantly change. I purged brown a couple of years ago, then started to crave it and have added some back. The seasons, light, a tweek in haircolor or new lipstick, foundation...they all affect your best colors.

Sally, I'm with you on the pro-cobalt team (despite the KC Royals associations, hehe, sorry Joy!). It's been one of my favorite colors to wear pretty much forever. I don't find it bossy at all, but maybe it's because it works with my coloring and is bright but not TOO bright. Now, red. Red is a bossy color to me.

I am sorry to hear you haven't been feeling like yourself lately, Viva, and hope that it improves soon, especially we all that sun weshould hopefully be getting in the summer.
About colors, I also vote not to get rid of chambray etc. yet. I personally think it is perfectly fun to wear both your best colors and your good through OK colors, as long as the second group gives you some joy through either interest or fun color combo etc. I second some observations about stage make up and lightning for the photos - I do ballroom dance competitions and we were ridiculous amounts of makeup in order to look good on photos and for the audience - it looks silly once you come on closer than 3 feet.
Cobalt is an interesting colors for me - it is my good but not best color, since it is a bit too strong and I need softer colors. I do like it though and wear it occasionally (just wore it yesterday), and for me it is all in how it is combined with other colors.

Sweet Viv, it all sounds very natural. Give yourself time to recoup from your hectic work schedule. It really hasn't been that long. Listen to your body. Soak up the TLC from your dogs. Set a lower expectation, but set yourself ONE task for the day and do it. Then set yourself two and do it. Gradually you'll feel more "accomplished" and things will flow like you want them to.

I highly recommend doing yoga. It does wonders for the mind, and has definitely helped my psyche over the years. It also helped me deal with the grief of losing Jasmine and Rosie. (Now Sam takes care of that).

Cobalt is actually a fantastic color for me and one of the few such colors I find difficult (burgundy and fuschia being in that camp as well). The issue for me is finding cobalt items with some edge. I don't need edge with black as I feel it's inherently there at least in what I choose. Navy footwear is another such issue - very hard though not impossible to find non-classic shoes in navy.

The idea of bossy colors deserves its own post and is probably another subjective topic!

Una - exactly. Same colours for me, and same issues. Including navy footwear.

Una and Lisap: Interesting, and I get it. Cobalt feels too conservative for me, too. Although I am not usually a really edgy dresser, I'm not conservative either. So I think I feel the same thing you do.

Angie: Yes to yoga! I go to a great studio here and when I can get myself there I find it extremely helpful. I like your idea of the slow reintegration of my routines. I think I've been aiming maybe too high.

So, this cobalt thing... very interesting. I love it, and it looks amazing on me. I think the compliments I get wearing it has really influenced the fact that I like to wear it. HOWEVER. I noticed this a while ago, and was quite surprised by it... when I look at my favourite outfits, it's rare that cobalt makes an appearance. And I think you (Una, Lisa, others) have hit the nail on the head. While I like the colour, it's rare to find pieces with some edge. So maybe it's one of my preferred colours, but doesn't quite make it to my preferred style?

Hugs

I love Angie's advise, and will start doing one more thing a day. And even getting out in the sun for a few minutes helps me. And the earlier in the day those few minutes are the better the day usually goes.

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I'm on team cobalt.

It was a huge epiphany when I had my colors done. I had had no sense of how to tell what looked good on me. When I told a friend she said her mom told her to put her hand on the fabric and see how it looked. That would have saved me many a bad outfit over the years. And I agree what colors you put with something makes a big difference.

Huh. Lost a reply when my connection crashed.

Viva, I hear you. These are distressing times. Be kind to yourself and hit that yoga class.

I discovered last year that the key for me is cool, high contrast colours. I haven't quite ditched the softer tones, but I try to boost them with bold accents. Leaning very much towards black, white and navy blue these days.

I love cobalt and it suits me whether I'm dark haired or blonde. I used to buy anything in the colour. I tend to wear more black now but one thing I must have in my wardrobe is a cobalt pashima. When I lost one, I promptly went and got another. I wear at least once a week.
Hope you feel more uplifted soon. There is so much to get us down.

Yes absolutely! I look better in navy than in black. When I put on any of those saturated winter colors in the dressing room, staff often comment that it is a "good color" for me. ( Others notice!) life is too short to wear clothing that doesn't flatter! (Once I thought I was an Autumn)

And I am so excited at your discovery. I cannot wait to see how this understanding changes your style!!