Color palette advice

sorferina

Hi everyone, I have read this site for a few years but this is my first time posting. I am in the process of losing a lot of weight through a medical program, and at this point have needed to replace all my clothing. Right now I went from a 3x/24 to a size 14 on top and 18w on the bottom.

I'm working out a color palette and have settled on these colors and just wanted to see if anyone had some input on it as in the past I wore mostly only black.

-Black
-Warm grey/taupe
-slate/ink blues
-Blue-grey teals
-mustard yellow
-possibly a shade of deep blush/rose

I have brown eyes on the honey side, neutral skin and brown hair dyed a rust-reddish tint.

For some info on my lifestyle I am an artist who likes to attend events and put together outfits for that, I like avant garde items with details such as asymmetry, I prefer rayon/viscose/cotton for clothing, and I also have an office job in supply chain management in a company with a very casual dress code.

I'm in a difficult spot as I plan to get down to size 12 on top/14-16 regular in the future and I'm 6' tall so am considering more free size items or items worth tailoring later. I am also trying to limit colors, etc. so I have enough to mix/match but not have to buy a lot of items right now. I already have accessories.

5 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from 3style

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Congratulations on your weight loss so far.l think that you are being very sensible in taking time to plan your new wardrobe especially as you are not quite at your target weight yet.Its always difficult to advise on colours without seeing you in the flesh but from your description of yourself you sound as if you are warm toned so keeping your colours warm would make sense.Also wearing colours that you love is important and making sure that they can all be mixed and matched with each other.There are lots of good resources on this site regarding wardrobe building and colour so have a browse and I m sure that you will get lots of good advise as well.Good luck!

5 years ago

jussie

Veteran

I think your palette sounds like a great start. One thing I might suggest; have you thought about adding a couple of lighter colours/neutrals? The colours you’ve described are fairly deep/intense.
Would you consider cream or soft white?
Also I find red pops nicely against black, ink and greys so you might like some deep red accents......
Just some ideas. Good luck with it.

5 years ago

kkards

Veteran

welcome...glad that after years of reading you've decided to post....
congratulations on your weight loss...an how lovely that you are starting with defining a color palette,, IMO it speaks to the artist that you are.....i'm not the best person to answer your general question as my color palette runs to navy, white, black...with a new to me color olive and small pops of red....

5 years ago

Becky

Veteran

The way you've described your color palette sounds like a mixture of cool and warm colors. Would you say that is true, looking at them in the flesh? The way you've described your own coloring sounds more warm, so if I were wanting to limit the palette right now, I'd focus on the warm colors as possible.

5 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I like your palette list and the solid vision you have as to how you want to move forward with your wardrobe project. A color that’s a little hard to find but might pop up this combo and maybe worth looking for is a bright grass green.

One way to try out some great color combos that I like to use is select your two main pieces (top and bottom, or bottom and jacket, etc.) from similar or “matchy” color family, the add a contrasting piece for the pop. For example, gray pants, blue-gray long sleeved top, saturated mustard accessory (scarf, shoes or topper). Or taupe bottom, muted mustard top and bright teal accessory. I call this formula cool-cool-warm, or warm-warm-cool. Another way to think of it is base-accent-pop.

5 years ago

Toban

Veteran

Congratulations on your weight loss. Lovely palette. I kept my palette even tighter for microcapsules during my >75lb weight loss over 1.5 years, restricting it to navy, olive, Burgundy, rust, cream, and a very occasional green. You might find Angie's relatively recent blog post about wardrobes during weight loss interesting. There's also a link in there to a post I wrote about how I managed my transition wardrobe.

https://youlookfab.com/2018/02.....-good-fit/

5 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Very wise to make a plan - and take it slow. The mustard yellow was the one color you listed that seems out of sorts with the other colors to me. Unless you already know you wear and love that color of course.

5 years ago

KnittingGene

Active Member

My guess is that mustard and blush/ rose are colors that you’re drawn to. I love them, too. They both work well with the neutrals that you’ve got picked out. I tend to a formula similar to cjh above, although I did not think to come up with a snazzy name for it! Relatedly, Angie’s “column of color” is such a helpful concept for me.

I wonder about choosing shawls or ponchos as a topper or two since they will adapt to your changing body and can lend an arty vibe. I’m excited to see how you develop your new wardrobe! Please keep us updated and pics would be great!

I know you’re not asking for specific pieces but I wanted to make sure you saw this Free People top in the NAS.

Nordstrom

Free People Free People January Tee | Nordstrom

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Top Pick

5 years ago

sorferina

Member

I haven't figured out the reply to name button on here yet. Thank you for all the good advice. Yeah, I prefer deep/intense colors also the yellow may seem a bit odd but I like it and think it looks good on me, but I can't wear red/white/gray and don't like beige otherwise I would add on of those. Olive I can but I find it hard to mix with black or blue. Sometimes blush works for me.

I went to the NAS and got a few ponte pants and the long treasure & bond blazer and some things from nordstrom rack. With my height it can be hard to find things that fit that's one reason I started reading this site is there is a lot of comments on how things fit for different heights.

I will probably dig around and check out some more posts on picking colors and wardrobe building on here.

5 years ago

Joy

Veteran

Welcome, Sorferina. You are wise to set your color pallet and a taupe or light warm grey can be your light neutral. I once had to replace my whole wardrobe because of weight loss. Be careful to get only what you really like because everything is going to look good. You will want to get things that are too big for you. Try on lots of sizes. I found shopping thrift store and consignment helpful for variety and budget, especially for what may be a temporary wardrobe piece as you continue to change. Don't forget to get bra fittings and replace undergarments. You may even wear a different shoe size.

5 years ago

The Cat

Veteran

Sounds wise to choose a colour palette, and to limit the colours, so that you can mix and match.

As your colouring is warm, I suggest you base your palette on warm colours, including brown and rust, which echo your eyes and your hair.

Black is a cool colour, but since you already own a lot of black, and since it is a neutral colour, you can easily mix it with warm colours.

Mustard yellow and teal will likely look gorgeous with your colouring.

Most blue and grey tones are cold, so I would advice you to avoid them.

You'll need one or more light neutrals like offwhite, cream, blush or light toffee.

Though your weight will change, your colouring will probably be more or less the same, so it's wise to choose colours that will look great on you also in the years to come. This is especially true for great accessories--they can be worn now, in one year and in five years, regardless of your weight. I am aware that you said you have accessories, and I hope most of them are in your best colours. I can't help thinking of certain items which probably would look gorgeous with your colouring, and hope you don't mind a few suggestions:
● A patterned scarf in offwhite, rust and brown
● A teal or mustard yellow shawl
● Leatherware (bags, belts, shoes, boots, sandals) in brown and rust
● Sandals with straps in gold and/or copper
● Jewellery in amber, wood, bone, brass or gold
● Straw hat in natural colour. Berets and turbans in teal, mustard yellow, offwhite and light toffee

Other tips:
● Simple tops like stretchy tees are often inexpensive, but can look great in your best colours and styled with bottoms (skirts, jeans and pants) in basic colours like black, and with interesting accessories that echo or harmonize with your colouring (see suggestions above).
● Warm animal prints like leopard print will likely look great with your colouring.
● Long loose button-front shirts worn as jackets will often look fine though your weight change a couple of sizes, and are fab over i.e. a column of colour in black.

5 years ago

3style

Veteran

How about adding in purples? It’d be a nice analogous triad with the blue and teal and also be a nice complimentary color for the mustard. I’m thinking that it makes more sense than the blush, because I think blush really needs a lot of cream or white to freshen it up. And since purples are very available right now.

5 years ago

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