Color/contrast + volume? - YouLookFab Forum

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Color/contrast + volume?

Anonymous

After my post to Suz re: coat, I was thinking about the relationship of color and volume (in terms of both length and width).

For example, I wear a lot of black, but like to keep the pieces close fitting. I don't mind more volume in pieces that are closer to my hair and skin color- like my burgundy asymmetric top and olive puffer. It seems less "heavy" if lower contrast to me. Something to consider with my winter wardrobe, since there's So Much Fabric Everywhere....

Have any of you come to a similar conclusion? And, how does it work for people with high contrast?

General

15 replies

Latest reply was from

Helena

Veteran

Suntiger, interesting observation ... Must ponder!

rachylou

Veteran

Yes, that’s an interesting thought. I’m thinking... and feeling my oversized items are mostly very bright... in for a penny, in for a pound...

nemosmom

Veteran

Oooh, that *is* interesting..... I had not thought about that before. I wear dark colors near my face, but (off the top of my head) I think all those tops are quite dark. I do reach for my lighter-colored chunky outerwear more often than my dark these days, but I don't really know why... you have given me something to think about!

taylor

Veteran

I wear a lot of black and I prefer very tailored close fitting items too, especially when it comes to outerwear. Loose fitting garments tend to look sloppy and just too big all over on me .

I agree that fabric can and does make a difference. For me fabric and fit are the two most important things. For that very reason a steer clear of all cotton because of the fade and shrink factor .

slim cat

Veteran

I have low contrast and pale in my coloring. I wear oversized windbreaker in white ( with rolled sleeves ) and I feel good in light colored shirts with flow. The black blazer I got recently is a boyfriend style without the oversized feel. I guess I feel similar about black or dark pieces needing more structure and slimmer fit. In shirts I like fabric like modal, rayon that flow and drape ( cotton could work too ).

Anonymous

Yes to fabric making a big difference too! Though I skip bulky fabrics as a rule, a bulky black fabric seems bigger than a bulky lighter fabric!

rachylou

Veteran

I was pondering this some more. I don’t do oversized that often. Not a looks thing so much as a functional thing. I am, I’m afraid, the sort of person who’d get stuck in a drawer or something.

LaPed

Veteran

Like rachylou, I don't often do truly oversized, because too much fabric can be as much if an impediment as too little. It's a pragmatic range-of-motion thing for me. That said, I do have an aversion to "blob-of-black" outfits on myself. Like, big black pants plus big black topper is too much and I feel less dynamic than I'd like. Varying textures, some shine, and subtle color or pattern are my go-to tweaks for outfits that feel "heavy" (Angie's color pattern texture shine advice in action!).

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Interesting question. I tend to wear tailored fits more than anything else in all colours. Body con will more likely be dark. Oversized I wear less often, but if I wear it, it could be in any colour, depending on the item. I tend to think of "oversize" as fits that don't hug the body.

Sal

Veteran

I am not sure- I have stepped away from oversized but I do like some volume. My most oversized is a faux fur in camel.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hmm. I don’t know about this, for me personally. I don’t do much oversized or unstructured as I tend to prefer more fitted, structures silhouettes on myself, but it occurs to me that my one truly voluminous, not very shaped garment is my black sleeveless summer COS dress. I doubt I would like it as much in a *color* — I would feel too conspicuous. I feel like I can get away with a more unconventional or less flattering cut easier if it’s black.

Style Fan

Veteran

I don`t do oversized unless it is strictly a functional garment. For example, I might wear a large oversized puffer if I needed to for some reason. I prefer more structured, tailored fits. I would wear pants that were drapey and unstructured in the summer in a dark colour like the lantern pants that Angie showed.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Interesting point! I do like to wear more architectural pieces when I find them, and they often seem to be in colors (the details don't show as well in black anyway). Mulling.

Anonymous

Interesting observation. I need to think about this, but see that I can handle more volume if it is in a neutral or blush than in a bright color.

Anonymous

Thanks all! I didn't mean oversize per se, necessarily. Fluid even, or combination of length and width.