Color choices-- with and beyond black - editted for length - YouLookFab Forum

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Color choices-- with and beyond black - editted for length

Elly

Veteran

Hey ladies,

As many of you might remember I am trying to put together a small working wardrobe (mostly smart casual). I am starting largely from scratch because I usually keep a very small wardrobe and have neglected to add anything to it in several years and all of my pieces are showing their age. Many of my things that will survive the cull or are newly purchased are black.I love black-- I am a deep autumn and black looks good on me and is practical for my life. I don't even mind head-to-toe black on occasion--

That said, I don't want everything in my closet to be black and I am having a hard time selecting other colors. Don't get me wrong, I love color! However, because I have so much existing black I am having problems choosing other neutrals and colors to pair with it. I also like and look good in a deep charcoal grey, black-brown, navy, camel, and olive (brighter or deeper, not the washed out kind). Other colors I like to wear include salmon, coral, terracotta, yellow-gold, red (especially tomato), deep blues, turquoise, forest and emerald green, jade, and occasionally a deep magenta. I actually wear alot of my neutrals, red, turquoise, and deep blue.

I guess I am having a hard time picking colors to work with my black pieces while expanding my palette. Most of my non-neutral colors are bright and I don't want to look dated and harsh by pairing them strictly with black. I am also having problems combining black with my other neutrals. Obviously black is a no-brainer paired with charcoal, but I have problems finding the dark charcoal that suits me. I find black harder to pair with navy (although I have seen some navy/black blazers I like), with dark brown (also a color I have problems finding since browns that are two light or the wrong shade can make me look brown-all-over with my hair), and olive.

Currently I have several black shirts, two black bottoms, denim bottoms, and one colorful skirt. I have a dark olive jacket and a chambray/denim shirt on order. I need suggestions for colors for tops and jackets/blazers because I am mostly set for bottoms. Any ideas for versatile colors that can be paired with my black bottoms? Or should I branch out and buy more colors to only wear with jeans?

Shopping

15 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This doesn't really answer your question, Elly - but in response to the part about not wanting to pair black with a bright and seem dated...what about patterns that incorporate the brights or non-black neutrals you love with black or charcoal? That might be a way to soften things, and it could be a starting point for you to add some of your other neutrals back into your wardrobe as well. I know it might be tough to find the right patterns, but even one or two pieces (a blouse and a sweater or a skirt) could change the feel of things considerably.

Elly

Veteran

Thanks Suz-- I am sorry, but I had such a hard time wording this post!

Patterns are a great way of tying things together-- however, I have been having an exceedingly hard time finding ones I like (esp. in my colors) that aren't poly or sheer. Polyester is just too sauna-y on me, but sheer fabrics need a long-sleeve underlayer in addition to a jacket most of the year where I live. I try not to wear sleeveless in winter since I run cold (esp. my arms) and then don't have a layer of protection between my pits and my jackets since I don't wear many cardis.

I think my main issue is that I feel the need to duplicate many of my plainer and layering tops and jackets in many colors to make it work and it is getting a bit expansive (and potentially limiting or expensive).

For example, I have a couple of outfits in mind using plain or striped shirts/sweaters. One needs a black crew or scoop neck, one needs a blue crewneck, one needs a black turtle, one needs a navy turtle, one needs navy stripes, one needs olive stripes, ect. Those are the "basics" for several of my favorite looks. Yet, add a couple of neutral button downs (black, white, denim/chambray) and pretty soon I have all the shirts I need/are practical and affordable-- yet I have no color and two separate color wardrobes I can't mix and match. All of my business casual separates are black, but I love my other neutrals and they don't seem to go well with my business separates to dress them down. Yet, if I stick to black I have to deal with the harshness of brights like red, turquoise, orangey, and gold colors against dark blacks with no bridging pieces.

I actually haven't seen too many examples on the forum because it seems that many ladies wear either browns/olives/camel (only warm colors, many which don't suit me) or greys/blacks/blues (only cool colors, many of which don't suit me) or have much larger wardrobes than I do/want. Being able to wear multiple tones in one color family (greys and black, navy and lighter similar blues, dark and warm browns) adds an element that takes away the starkness. Yet, personally I know I only look good in one shade of each neutral-- on the very deep end and than a very bright or rich version of other colors. Muted and soft (greyed, browned, heathered) colors don't suit me-- neither do light colors.

Anonymous

Elly, you are probably already doing this, but how about using texture rather than color? I'm thinking of tweeds in your neutrals, herringbone weaves, cable knits, leather, a bit of lace peeking out...
At the NAS sale I bought a tweed jacket with black, dark brown and maybe some grey (too hot to wear yet.) that i think would work for you. I'll try to find a link, although I'm on vacation and the borrowed laptop doesn't seen to be allowing it.
You seem to be on team low-contrast so finding the right dark blue, dark red, brown or dark green piece would really help. You may just need to get used to colors like navy and brown with black. Also try any blue that looks good on you. I really like cobalt with black and it doesn't seem as harsh a pairing as tomato red or salmon.
Angie's trick of adding a bit of white has helped me put red and other "harsh" colors with black. A bit of white or cream can really make a difference. I know that you'll find just the right pieces to get a look that you are comfortable wearing.

Here's the link to a fab tweed jacket:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ha.....ltback=961

Elly

Veteran

I realized that angie does a great job of mixing brights or brights with black/white. At the same time, I don't see myself rocking such high contrast looks regularly or in such high doses. I love my neutrals. I think this comes from my more nature-inspired rugged and masculine/menswear side.

Anonymous

I just added the link to the Halogen tweedy jacket that can take your own belt or no belt if you cut the loops. I liked it with black bottom and a deep red or ivory top under it, but many colors would work as well.
I don't think there's anything wrong with a totally neutral outfit. If you want to add color you might start with a scarf, shoes, or jewelry rather than whole pieces that will look color blocked.

Elly

Veteran

Joy--- thank you so much for your reply. Perhaps wearing deeper tones of the shades I prefer might help. Adding white is also something I can see working-- I think that is why so many of Angie's looks are so successful. Perhaps I will have to get over my aversion to the color. I look fine in white, but tend to avoid it because I can be messy and it is easy for it to become a laundry nightmare. Textures are huge-- I guess I just have to shop around for the right thing. I love the fabric of the jacket you posted, but unfortunately I am the exact opposite of petite!

Elly

Veteran

I think another thing I have trouble with is that I am on team minimal. I like to wear a top with a jacket, a dress with a jacket, a cardi with a jacket, a shirt or tunic with a scarf-- even just a button down and pants or a dress and belt. I generally don't add a third layer unless I need it for warmth (putting a cardi or hoodie under a jacket or a l/s tee under a sweater or shirt under a jacket--- the third layer mostly hidden) and the more layers the fewer accessories I tend to use. Perhaps I need that third layer or element to tie things together.

Hmph-- lots of good revelations, but still a bit lost on what colors to purchase during this sale, or whether to wait.

Elly

Veteran

Argh! Feeling a bit like a massive dunce--- if this was a painting I don't think I would be so stuck, or so I would hope!

Aida

Veteran

Elly, your description sounds so similar to what I like: mostly neutrals, and bright shades when wearing color (though I wear both high and low contrast outfits). The colors you listed are the colors I wear as well. I'm somewhere between Deep Autumn and Deep Winter so I can definitely commiserate on the difficulty of getting the half warm half cool color palette all playing nicely together

I selected black/charcoal+cool tones to start working with (because I thought I was Deep Winter, but it worked out well because I mostly like to wear reds and blues), built up some of my wardrobe with those, and then started adding warmer tones more recently (like the golden yellow and some browns); it was a lot easier adding the warm tones after establishing a cooler wardrobe core since I wear fewer warm shades than cool shades.

Adding white is a great way of toning down some of the harshness when pairing with black, but you don't have to add it as another layer if you don't like layering. Even jewelry, having white in a printed scarf, wearing a cream belt, things like that can be enough. I have also found that wearing BOTH black and brown + color can also work well to soften the black (happily it works really well for Deep Autumns, imo); black+light gray+color can also work nicely.

Would it be possible to post those looks you listed that use similar but not the same tops? I have a feeling you could narrow down that list and use a jacket or scarf to get similar tonal results (so like, if you did just the navy striped top and black turtleneck, and had an olive jacket, a blue jacket, a camel+cream scarf, bright red pendant, etc. you could get similar vibes).

And lastly, why NOT look at it like a painting? The color theory should be similar

Scarlet

Veteran

I didn't read the comments yet but my personal preference is for black to be paired with patterns, white, or at least texture (like lace/ruffles, etc.) and bookending. Straight black with straight color is just not my favorite.

Elly

Veteran

Thanks Aida! So glad someone can relate. I do feel like I kinda fall in the valley between deep autumn and deep winter, but I am probably a bit on the warmer side.

For me, choosing neutrals is easy. With the exception of black and cream/white I cheat and draw all those color choices from my own coloring. Camel, gold, olive green, blackish brown, charcoal, and even the salmons, deep pink, and reds. Deep blues and blacks really bring out the dark charcoal and black/brown of my eyebrows and add to the intensity of my coloring. My glasses are actually turquoise and tomato red, although I wear contacts too.

At first I had planned or created a whole bunch of looks based on the black bottoms I already had or bought (black pencil skirt, black slacks, black skinny jeans). I also would really like to find a pair of charcoal slacks, but am having a hard time finding a pair. I love the elongating look of a black sweater or blouse with black slacks or a skirt (especially for a more formal look). I new I could also pair black tops with charcoal bottoms or jeans. However, I was also looking to find a way to dress down my more buisness-y bottoms so I could wear them for my more smart casual life. That Is why I ordered a denim/chambray shirt to try. I also though of black striped tees. I just seem to struggle with what else to pair with those black pieces, especially the pencil and slacks to dress them down. Then I found the olive jacket that is coming (on order) and was inspired by how many people here and elsewhere seem to get alot of use out of a military jacket. I also saw a picture of an olive jacket paired with a deep blue turtleneck that I loved. I also thought of navy stripes-- which is a look I have been itching to try for a couple of years. I'm just having problems blending the two together and adding color.

Elly

Veteran

Scarlet-- I agree, I have problems pairing straight black with straight color-- although I think many of my basics lack a lot of texture or patterns-- mostly in the name of practicality.

Barbara

Veteran

What a great post and replies!

Elly, like Scarlet, I prefer black pants or skirt with a patterned top, not solid, bright colors. It's too harsh on me. I love the combination of turquoise, purple or teal tops with gray or dark brown pants or skirts. Of course, jeans look great with most any top!

Sounds to me like you have zeroed in on your color choices - the ones that you love AND look great on you.

That olive jacket and deep blue turtleneck you mention would be gorgeous with medium gray finewale cords or perhaps a subtle patterned pant in gray/black. Wear a chunky bead necklace or bracelet with the same color palette.

Aida

Veteran

I just looked over a bunch of my outfits and apparently I tend to pair my colored items with blue denim versus black denim; when I wear the black I wear mostly neutrals, and definitely add a lot of white (black jeans outfits, and also black slacks outfits). If you like the mostly black look (black bottoms black top) then getting your color in with a long scarf can look really stunning; texture rich fabrics will also look lovely (like a nubby sweater). Love the idea of getting charcoal slacks, and an added bonus that you wouldn't have just black bottoms for work Plus THAT looks awesome paired with black tops, too!

I think that deep cobalt blue that's around this season could be a fabulous blue to go after, and there is a wee bit of the golden yellow around as well as some deep greens; these colors can play with each other, and with a lot of the colors you listed as well. The chambray shirt will work awesome with the black, and can instantly help dress down slacks so I do hope it works out! I like the idea of navy stripes over black stripes for you, for the added visual interest when paired with black bottoms AND it'll look fab with the olive jacket.

And you know, since you like neutrals AND are on Team Minimal layers, I say go ahead and treat them as COLORS within your outfits. You might find it easier to mix pieces. If you wore, for example, the chambray top + black jeans + olive jacket + brown boots those are all considered neutrals yet go nicely together and are still visually interesting (though muted). And if you wanted to add color? You could pop a colorful necklace, cuff, scarf, or purse in, like, any color because the base is technically neutral (red, turquoise, coral, gold, emerald...).

Elly

Veteran

Barbara-- thanks for the great input. I guess I will have to keep searching for some great charcoal grey pants.

Aida-- thank you again for all the time. The combos you described are really appealing.