Do you every buy something that's "not your colour"... - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you every buy something that's "not your colour"...

Aziraphale

Veteran

…because it just feels so dang nice?

This happened to me yesterday, and it has happened before. I tried on this tee that was stripe, which I like, but was "not my colour". It's not that I dislike the colours (black and steel blue), but blue is definitely not my usual style. I have trouble styling it (I don't like blue tops with jeans) and it doesn't feel like "me". But this tee was made of some kind of wonder material and I didn't want to take it off! It was so soft and a little relaxed and the sleeves were just slightly too long, which I like, and the neckline was loose but not revealing. So I bought it anyway. I'm going to try to wear it a lot and see if I can't get over this "not my colour" thing.

Is this nuts, or does anyone else do this?

Shopping

28 replies

Latest reply was from Laura (rhubarbgirl)

ramya

Veteran

Hmmm yes. I just love happy colours. Last season I got this pale beige sweater because it had argyle pattern on it. GASP! !!!@

Anonymous

Yes! I never was drawn to navy blue or magenta/purples, but on a whim, tried them, and I really do like them.

Beth

Veteran

Yep. I have a skirt that's yellowish-pea green, which is not a color I particularly like, not to mention it would be a deadly shade up near my face. But you know, I *love* that skirt. It's amazing how many colors go with pea green!

Thistle

Veteran

Red.

I love the color, but it does not love me. It makes me feel powerful and bold, but look washed out. So, I have a red cashmere sweater on order. Maybe I can make it work!

Mia

Veteran

I do if I can see a way to make it work by combining with other items let's say to reduce the effect of the less than flattering hue.

April

Veteran

Oh, yeah. SO gave me a leopard infinity scarf (based on subtle hints such as my sending him a link to it with WISHLIST ITEM in the subject line) even though I don't generally do well with warm tones near my face.

The feel of it and the particular leopard print were just too good.

Alassë

Veteran

Yes. I try not to, but.... I love pink & purple. Finding autumn-leaning shades is a bear (particularly pink).

catgirl

Veteran

I think it is fine as long as you are intentional and aware of the choice to go outside your norm.

I have been trying REALLY hard to stick with my chosen colors. I feel it is one area where I can exert some self-control and where mistakes have been obvious and painful (blush Muubaa...).

K. Period.

Veteran

It depends! If the color is "not me" because it is something that I'm not used to wearing, but it still looks good on me, then I'll often give it it a try. I've learned a lot by stretching that way. Cobalt blue and I hadn't met until about two years ago! If it is a color that is not me because it looks horrible on me? No way. I pass on the item. I might buy the color in pants, though (olive, I'm looking at you).

Aubergine

Veteran

What I'm always tempted by is bright citrus shades, especially near the end of winter when I really want the clothing equivalent of a weekend in Florida. So pretty, yet they make me look so very, very jaundiced.

I've been good at avoiding them recently, but I'm always afraid that one day I just won't be able to resist.

I do wear shades that may not be the best, but aren't awful. Gray is probably this for me. I think my wardrobe also has a bunch of purples that are a little too cool to be ideal for me, but sort of pass.

Gigi

Veteran

Yes...I bought a pair of jeans that felt divine but were a little too blue for me (I like the darker and warmer rinses). I too am averse to blues that are, well, blue. I did find that as time went on, I got more used to the seeing the color on myself and was less critical of it. Maybe after you wear your shirt a few times and get used to it, you will come up with some ideas for pairings.

carambola

Veteran

Yes, I buy and wear colors I like that are not the best on me, but are "flattering enough", as Angie would say. If it looks truly awful, I will pass even if I am drawn to it.

Isabel

Veteran

Yes, I do it. If the color doesn't look good near my face, then I will get a skirt or a scarf with lots of other colors mixed in or maybe a bracelet.

If it is a color that I just don't "usually" wear, sometimes I am so attracted to the fabric or the design that I get it. I generally end up happy. For example, I don't like to wear red. I wore it so much in high school ( because I was a majorette ) that I just don't like to wear it : except, in pants ( one pair ) and last year I bought the most amazing dark red shirt that has become one of my favorites. So there you go !

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Anything I own that is a pastel colour is this - or brown, or beige. :p

rachylou

Veteran

Yes. I got these two sweaters from Dress Barn, which doesn't do "clear colours." But they were perfect winter office wear. One was a muted purple, the other a muted red.

Susie

Veteran

I kept one cozy sweater for my lounge wear capsule that is pink. I don't wear pink, at all. But because it's comfy I gave it a pass and let it stay. But despite its cozy feel, I haven't reached for it. I just wish I had the same top in a different color.

On the other hand, olive green is not one of my colors but I really like my new rain jacket in that color. It's not the feel with that one but the style. And I've found the color works really well with my blacks and denims.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

My blush pink khaki pants! I don't wear khaki pants and don't wear pastels but somehow they seemed like an unexpected pairing which I thought could be fun...and I was right!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've definitely bought things because of how they fit or how they felt on me even if the color is not perfect for me. I try, though, to make sure I can think of a few outfits they can work in before purchasing, otherwise they are apt to become orphans and a waste of money.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Yes, but then I never wear them. So I don't anymore.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I think perhaps I wasn't clear. The steel blue and black stripe top looks just fine on me, colour-wise. It's not unflattering. It's just that I don't think of blue as "one of my colours" -- maybe this is just a quirk? I don't feel like a steel blue kind of person.

I think part of the problem is that I wear a lot of denim, and I really really don't like a blue top with blue bottoms. Most of my denim is some shade of blue. However, I think I've found a solution: all cool colours and grey jeans! Right this moment I'm wearing the grey skinnies, the new stripe top, a black belt with silver buckle and studs, and a black blazer with the cuffs turned up so the tee shirt sleeves are sticking out. It's a little bit Nightmare Before Christmas, which is, I suspect, why it appeals to me. As soon as a blue top looks mainstream, it bores me.

Did I mention I'm firmly on Team Wear?

Susie

Veteran

I tend to avoid wearing most blues with denim too. For instance, teal. I really like the color, on its own, but it doesn't pair well with denim. That's probably why I don't have a lot of blue tops and those that I do have I wear more often with white denim.

gryffin

Veteran

Aziraphale - I so get your dilemma!! I streamlined my wardrobe and pared down to mostly black and gray with a bit of white and cream. I could not find gray camo jeans last summer so I bought them in a grayed green mix (definitely not my signature colors). But I love them. They are so much fun and I wore them with all my black things and felt fab. I won't add a lot of this color and if I can find gray camo their days might be numbered but if it feels good and it works with your wardrobe, why not!! Hope you enjoy!! Your t sounds lovely!

Deborah

Veteran

I would say generally 'no'. It's one of the few areas I am very disciplined in and I have come to appreciate what I think works (neutrals) and what makes me happy (neutrals) But I do understand the temptation.

Runcarla

Veteran

Yeah. Ever hear that a red head shouldn't wear red? WRONG!

unfrumped

Veteran

Yes but 2 ways: one is, I realized I was avoiding some colors that really were flattering but I hadn't tried them recently.

Second is to buy something in a very intentional way to create an outfit or bridge items or as noted above, it can be combined with other colors.

But I've also been working to resist colors that push me into less versatile or higher-maintenance capsules. Because the whole point is, does the item help me, or will it be a burden.

The "feel" of something is a strong tug, and I've both done right, by getting a fab fabric that feels great on, and wrong, to buy something that needed to be the right fabric AND the right color.

So, no help, but it's a case-by-case basis.

Isabel

Veteran

Yes ! What a great idea with the grey !

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Not an answer to your question...but I wear blue with denim all the time!!

I do draw the line at blues that seem to clash with denim....and there are a lot of those. Most navies and inks will work, and pastel blues as well, and other blues can work in a stripe or other pattern. Hmmm. Or maybe my eye is all messed up?

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Az, I agree with you about the blues and denim, and with Suz - dark blues tend to work with average denim colors; light blue works with dark wash; but medium blues like steel blue often have a contrasting tone to them which doesn't always work with some denims. I'm picky about that too, and a pair of non-blue jeans is nice to have for that very reason.