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Color Palette Musings, and WIW (long)

Helena

Veteran

Hi there, just giving some thought to my wardrobe color palette. In the past, I have tried to bestrict and minimal in this, and ultimately, it does not make me happy as a long-term strategy. I want to start this year with an open mind, but I also want to move forward rather than in circles! Therefore, I wanted to put some flexible structure around my color palette, to help direct me on how to take it forward. This is highly inspired by Angie's post on adding a new color to one's wardrobe, as well as the Un-Fancy color palette approach (including the format of my visual palette).

My neutrals: Black & white. These are sort of the base, pretty self-explanatory. Perfect to create contrast, which is one of my descriptors. I am sure there will be gray in the mix, but I'm sort of ambivalent about gray so I won't add it here.

My main colors: These are colors that I am comfortable wearing often. They benefit from a support act (I think this is is what Angie terms it) to make them interesting. I am comfortable having more items in these colors, and in fact, with the exception of blush, I don't think I need to add much to my wardrobe here. Adding a few more blush items is on my radar for spring/summer. While blush is a year-round color, navy (range of blues really - and yes, in my world, navy is a color, not a neutral!) I wear more in the spring summer and burgundy more in the fall/winter. These all mix nicely with the neutrals and each other, so there is a lot of versatility here.

My wild card colors: These are colors that I really love, but in smaller doses and not everyday. They work with my neutrals, and in some cases, my mains. To me, they are strong enough that they don't need much of a support act to be interesting; therefore, I can have a one-off piece or two for when I want a bit of pop. These are fun for nail polish, lipstick, or gear. I would like to upgrade my teal v-neck sweater at some point, but other than that, I am also covered here. These are "buy for love" pieces for sure. The bright blue tends to be a summer color for me, the others are year-rounders.

So this is where I am at now with color and I am interested to see how it evolves over the year ... if you made it this far, your comments and thoughts are most appreciated! How do you organize your palette?

Photos: my palette, and wearing an ultra-simple outfit with my wildcard red today (looks a bit orange in the pic, but it's a true red irl).

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Jaime

unfrumped

Veteran

I really like your analysis and plans for evolving. I also like your choices of colors for your own coloring.

I have been trying to get more strict, not about numbers of colors per se, but about trying to collect happy, flattering colors for face-framing items--tops, scarves and some jackets. Some JFE colors, primarily duller neutrals, are sometimes needed as neutrals are so versatile and because higher-quality items are often only available in very limited colors. And also, I need some outfits to be not too "out there" but more subdued and potentially traditional, color-wise.

One thing I would like to do is to introduce that 3rd color you described, but in subtle ways-maybe in a darkened shoe color, a belt, or necklace.
Necklaces are easy for me to wear, but a challenge for introducing color without looking casual or cheap. For example, I frequrently wear a gray top and wish I could have berry or teal colors in a necklace, for times when a scarf is too fussy or would get in the way. But (since I won't be wearing rubies or emeralds!) I would want it to look artsy or interesting and not too plasticky.

Anonymous

How do you feel in pure red vs. a raspberry (cool tone)? You look awesome in the red in the picture (Love the simplicity and V-neck line) but I think pictures sometimes lie about colours, and only you can tell what looks good IRL.

Are you still working the ink blue for summer? I'm still excited by this shade (yes, excited about dark navy! ;-)), and I like it better (for myself) for summer vs. black.

I'm loving burgundy and blush together with cognac.

I think the cobalt blue would be another good colour on you. I've seen quite a few women on the forum use cobalt for their bags -- adds a lot of pizzazz, especially against a backdrop of white or black. Navy and cobalt also seem like they'd play nicely together.

With greys I find I personally look a lot better in the light heather greys than the dark ones. Not sure how you feel about it. A light heather grey with cobalt or burgundy would look really nice!

Helena

Veteran

Unfrumped, and therein lies the challenge; you've articulated it perfectly ... for that necklace would probably look great if the color was picked up in other spots through the outfit, as it would tie in more and look very intentional - which requires that element of planning.

It's that balance between versatility and not being too restrictive on the one hand, and recognizing that time, energy and budgets are not unlimited on the other! I hope you'll share your color journey as it progresses! I find color the most fun and interesting part of people's personal styles.

Helena

Veteran

Smittie, I enjoy both reds, but in smaller doses for both - I like the purer red in winter and the more raspberry tone in summer. Definitely have a ton of ink in the summer, and I am interested to try mixing it with blush ... I'd like to find a piece which combines the two, and also one that combines blush, black and white. I agree with you - it's fresh in the summer after a winter-full of black. I also prefer it when mixed with white, which is easier in the summer imo.

I think you look terrific in gray! I too prefer light to dark gray, although I have a darker gray wool coat that I really like! I have much more of an appetite for color than I realized, providing it's in the correct dosage!

rachylou

Veteran

Upon reflection, I have no colour plan. Not long range. I have my yearly colour fads... I'm just realising tho, this strands items after my personal fad is over. I need to work on what to do with my 'left overs.'

What do you think is the longevity of your colours?

Helena

Veteran

I have no idea Rachylou ... but when I refect, these colors (and neutrals) probably make up 80% of my style-life. I'll have to ponder that further!

Your style overall is far more creative and varied than mine, so it makes sense to me that you would more of a color free-spirit!

Sal

Veteran

I think your plan is do-able and looks very much like you. You suit clear colours and contrast so I think your neutrals and main colours work very well. A sweater or tee in a bold or different colour does not have to match anything else in the closet as long as it matches your bottom half, maybe coat and accessories. For example you may only need one cobalt top that you wear with black, white or denim and neutral accessories.

I like to wear two or three colours in an outfit mostly. I rarely wear all one colour (if I wear black sweater and jeans for example, I usually add a colour through a bag or shoes, usually just one of them).

I like blush - I suspect you will suit a different blush to me, I need a warm toned one and you probably suit a cool tone. I tend to wear blush with denim mostly, or sometimes black, and I wear camel or cognac footwear in winter.

Helena

Veteran

Sally, yes, you are right ... it's really a pale pink that I'm after; I say blush since that seems to be the version of pale pink that's out there right now... but it does need to be on the cool side, or at least quite neutral to be good on me, if it's on the warmer side it's not the best. Pastel or icy pink is really the ideal.

I like your technique of adding color to a neutral outfit with your shoes and/or bag ... this is something I'd like to do, too!

Anonymous

It's good that you've figured out that you need to get the colour dosages right! I like that you have a colour plan. I'll be interested to see what outfits you come up with!

Anonymous

TG, your colour choices and neutrals seem such great choices for you. They suit your colouring and contrast levels brilliantly and all play nicely together.

I had a quick ponder about my colours and I think my main neutrals are cream, grey, camel and beige with small amounts of black. My go to colours are olive (sometimes used as a neutral), warm red, burgundy, cognac, sage green, mint and teal. It's funny, but it's only been this last year that I realised that I have settled nicely on this group of colours and how I feel really happy about them. I look forward to seeing your outfits featuring your colour palette.

Helena

Veteran

Diane, your colors in your WIWs always look gorgeous, and perfect for you!

Alassë

Veteran

Good plan!

unfrumped

Veteran

torontogirl, here is my version of a "blush" that skews to the cool side, that I have been trying to collect as my pale neutral.

CeCe By Cynthia Steffe Cable Turtleneck Sweater

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1

Collared Swing Shell

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3

Halogen Lightweight V-Neck Cardigan (Regular & Petite)

Sale

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3

Speckled Utility Blouse

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0

Joy

Veteran

I admire your discipline with color but can't do it myself. Every time I've tried to limit colors or even neutrals, I fail miserably. Even colors that I thought I couldn't wear like fuchsia and ice pink tend to be fine with the right supporting colors. My most fun with fashion comes with adding a new color. I'm addicted.

retailgirl

Veteran

Those are my colors exactly! I have a blush jacket that I wear with navy or a light gray. In the fall, I've added burgundy to the outfit. I try to wear three colors in an outfit; I wear lots of scarves and quite often they determine my color combo. I like to wear colored shoes and belt, but don't usually match my bag. Unfrumped, As a substitute for rubies for your red necklace: garnets or cherry quartz. It took me a while to realize that there were colors that didn't work for me or that were difficult to coordinate with my faves. So I pared my wardrobe down to tried and true.

Style Fan

Veteran

TG I like the colours you have chosen for yourself. They look like they would work well for you and suit your colouring, contrast and style. I also find colour very interesting and am very influenced by it.
I have always worn earth tones. If I buy something outside of my usual colours I don't wear it. My house is also decorated in earth tones. I am pretty consistent that way. Maybe that explains why my clothes are almost vintage.
I worked out my colour palette using the Vivienne Files plan. My neutrals are Dark Brown and Denim. My accents are Olive Green, Golden Yellow and Cream. I also have Camel in there. But really all my clothes are neutrals and accents. I couldn't stay in lines so to speak.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Love reading everyone's color stories. I should say that my purpose with this is really to create a snapshot of where I am at and how I can build upon it, rather than to limit myself. I'll buy for love if something different catches my eye and work out how it fits then!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Most impressive. I do not organize my palette but throw stuff on and see how it looks (don't try this at home ;-)). Nonetheless your main colors are some of my favorites.