Angie's fab color combination and prints in my closet

I kept returning to that lovely color combination Angie posted last week (pic 1), as it spoke to me, but something seemed not-quite-right about it for me. Last night during a stroll through a nearby mall (I won't lie, part of my motivation was exercise -- I needed to get in some walking despite the really nasty weather we're having), I looked at some things here and there, and had one of those lightbulb moments that made me realize what wasn't quite working for me about that color combination. In retrospect, I think "duh! you already knew this!" but it made me look at my closet when I came home. When I did, I realized I have some variations on this color scheme already happening, but with a difference.

I need my outfit color schemes to be grounded with a neutral -- usually black, often white, and sometimes grey or navy or a shade of brown. In thet outfit Angie posted, the cognac can be seen as a neutral, I suppose, but it doesn't feel that way to me, maybe because it's a tertiary color in the outfit.

The pics I posted below are prints from my closet. #2 and 5 were purchased last night. #3 and 4 have been in there for at least a couple of years. They are not precise duplications of Angie's inspiration palette, and clearly they are very different from one another, but if you hold each one separately next to Angie's inspiration photo, the common tones quickly become apparent. I found this really fascinating as an artist.

Where the patterns I choose are clearly a departure from the inspiration is the use of white or black as a grounding color (or the taupe color in #3). Maybe because my coloring is high contrast, I tend to prefer the increase in contrast that the addition or white or black (or even charcoal or navy) adds to these color schemes. I also found it interesting that in each one of my print interpretations of Angie's blush-cognac-turquoise palette, my prints incorporated burgundy.

I don't know if anyone will get anything out of this post. I just found it interesting, and a bit of an "aha" moment when I think about color palettes and how to nudge an interesting color idea into one's personal style, even if at first glance it seems "not right."

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9 years ago

Susie

Veteran

That IS interesting. Almost every print in my closet includes black. Part of that is for the sake of simplicity...if nothing else, I can pair it with black pants and/or black shoes. Currently many/most of my prints also include burgundy. But is that because it is so plentiful now or because it's just a color that truly appeals to me?

PS may I ask what #2 is?

Tanya

Awesome analysis, Janet. I have prints of both kinds, both with black/white for grounding and without, but my coloring is much less contrasting then yours.

I am smitten with the #2 print and wondering what the piece is and where it is from?

Carole

interesting realization, Janet! It makes a lot of sense. The black or white brings a neural into play and sort of tones down the intensity of the colors. While a lovely combo to look at, I would have a hard time liking it on me and maybe that's why.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

*happy dance*

Okay. That's me off the forum for the rest of the day.

Sara L.

Yes, I can see how each print relates to the inspiration photo. I also noticed the addition of burgundy in your prints. I need to wear a neutral in my outfits as well. I'm not comfortable wearing outfits with no grounding neutral. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy combinations with colors on others, I just prefer to pair colors with a neutral for myself.

Janet

Oh, I'm glad this made sense to others! I wrote it while still on my first cup of coffee, so you know how that can go.

#2 is a silk Elizabeth and James blouse that I found in Saks Off Fifth. It has dolman-cut solid black elbow length sleeves, a slightly cropped length, and an open back that needs to be repaired -- the snaps that close the back at the neck are ripped off (the fabric is undamaged, but the snaps are gone from one side). It's something I can fix easily (I even already have snaps!), and they gave me an additional 25% off the sale price. So it was a $275 top for $53. I'll have to wear a cami or tank underneath with the open back, but that's OK since I envision wearing this in spring and fall more than summer. I realized that my closet was full of either long-sleeved or sleeveless items and I had very few things with any sleeve length in between the two. And now I have a little rainy-day project to catch up on sewing and mending today.

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Elly

Cool-- I love the print in 5 (poppies). This makes sense to me. Oddly enough in Angie's inspiration, I see the teal as the neutral. I don't wear much teal because it is too "denim" for me to pair with denim without feeling blue. On you though, with your dark hair, I'd want some dark to ground the look. Even on the model I'd preffer chocolate booties to bookend or something.

That's really pretty- and what a great deal!

Stephanie

Active Member

Definitely interesting! I like this most because you were able to appreciate the outfit, realize it didn't work for you but then check out your own closet and still get inspiration from it. That's what I love about this forum most so far -- being exposed to everyone's different styles and tastes is a great way to draw inspiration from what you already have and get curious about trying something new. PS I love the blouse in #2 and you got an amazing deal on it!

Lisa

How interesting, and a pretty color combination.

abc

What gorgeous prints, and always fun to have an "a-ha!" moment.

Anonymous

Indeed interesting. I've never thought of print suitability this way - and maybe I should. I find them so hit and miss and can never really predict what I'll like once it's on and what I won't . This is quite intriguing, and the prints you've pictured are gorgeous from a pure colour mixing standpoint.

That's neat!

Sal

I am similar, I love bold prints but wear with black or denim mostly.... I usually wear one neutral too and feel odd when not including one.

I love all these fabrics here, so pretty in a sophisticated way. And perfect for your colouring.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

When Angie posted her inspiration I immediately thought "nope, not for me" but wasn't exactly sure why I felt so strongly. It's true that I'm not the biggest fan of warm brown, but I suspect the lack of neutrals is part of it. It feels almost un-anchored to me, if that's the right phrasing.

I tend to choose prints with only two colors a lot, and don't wear many multicolored prints or outfits with lots of non neutrals together.

MTBGirl

So very interesting Janet! And I love your new member photo (don't know the real term)!

Aida

YES. Great read Janet, and super fun to see examples of your prints, which all certainly keep the feel of the inspiration color combo. Interesting thought on grounding with a neutral. In my version I did include cognac, but treated it as a "color"; in fact I would consider my version an "all color". I think perhaps I treat neutrals as "color" more often than "neutral", hmm.

(Whatever print #5 is, I want it!)

Beth Ann

oooh! I think I get it! Which is saying something, since I live in the aural like you live in the visual. As another high contrast type, with similar coloring, I've been trying to incorporate cognac for 2 years with limited success. It only works as a third color -- an accent. It can't ground an outfit for me like white, black and grey can. Is this what you meant?

I'm looking into using a deeper brown -- luggage or chocolate. And looking for richness (saturation?) added in texture or luminosity (I like gleaming leather, not matte, and fall for velvet and soft, nubby knit any chance I get).

UmmLila (Lisa)

Very good analysis of why you choose prints and what neutrals you use. I've been thinking lately that I could work harder at articulating my. conclusions as to what works and what doesn't and seeing your breakdown is helpful.

Runcarla

Though my fall capsule is set, I caught myself fingering some blush/cognac/wine/ teal items in the shops and thinking how apropos to Angie's post. Am wondering if I can approximate from my closet? It will be a challenge.

Love what you have pulled, let's see the items in circulation!

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