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Fun with colors ETA more colors

notsaf

Veteran

I've been thinking about what role color might play in 2020 and figured it would be a good experiment to play around with the collage-making tool that Carla was kind enough to recommend in her end-of-year thread yesterday. At the risk of over-exposing myself, I'm posting some of the results and my thoughts on the process here.

My wardrobe is almost all neutral, but I do add some colors in accessories and sometimes garments, so this will be a guide for what to allow into -- and maybe seek out for -- my A/W rotation.

If you have any suggestions for tweaks and changes to the palette, I'd be very grateful!

1. Reflects what I wear a lot of the time, but even I agree this is pretty boring. Also, the trench-coat beige is more of a spring/fall color than a winter one.

2. I observed that there are a few deep-inky blue-purple pieces in my closet, and they are some of my favorites, esp. for more formal occasions. Still a little boring.

3. Now I've added in forest green (a color not in my closet at the moment, but one that has been in the past and that I've been thinking of adding back) and olive green (taken from a scarf I own and wear a lot).

4. Despite my commitment to Breton stripes, in this very I subbed plain white and camel (again from actual pieces I own). Still missing something.

5. Testing out this season's spicy earth tones. Great for others, but not for me!

6. This one comes close, and uses the blush color of a favorite pair of shoes (and a favorite, sadly retired cardigan: RIP). Not earth-shattering, but a kind of quiet and understated palette that would give me a bit of something on occasion to break up the black.

What do you think?

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Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from smittie

anchie

Veteran

I like palette 6 for you the best, especially that blush. I think you are more suited to cool tones.

slim cat

Veteran

I like forest green and olive colors for your complexion. Blush looks very nice. I wonder if oatmeal color ( cooler than beige and with slight grey undertones ) could work for you as neutral.
Since green/olive colors popular now I'd consider shopping for couple different tones in that color family ( tonal dressing could be fun ).
Maybe a bit of earth tones in accessories?

Cardiff girl

Veteran

This is very interesting ,l didn’t realise that there was a specific tool to do this.l just thought Runcarla was an I.T. Whizz.Looking at your picture you have a lot of warmth in your skin,eye and hair colour and I think that it would be flattering for you to include colours with some warmth in them.l agree with Anchie that #6 seems to work well but because the blush is warm and not cool toned.Have you tried rusts,mustards,deep warm reds?I don’t think black will be your best dark neutral colour but deep blues,dark greens ,charcoal greys and warm burgundies could work well.To sum up I think you need to look for warmth in the colours that you choose .

nemosmom

Veteran

I actually like the spice on you! 5 gets my vote!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

#5 and #6 get my top votes. You look like you wear earth tones well. And the occasional cool pastel. Try shades of purple and mid-tone blues too. And throw in a blue-toned red.

Anonymous

I like the dark green and the spice color for you too!

Liesbeth

Veteran

I like the last one best too, but which colors are you drawn to most? Sometimes a shade I like in small doses, I dislike for an entire garment. Or I only want to wear the color with a specific other color and then I need to distribute them correctly over tops and bottoms. I may be too neurotic here. But it's important to be aware of those preferences too when adding color imo.

nuancedream

Veteran

I like palette #5 the best. Teal, warm grey, rich plum, and burgundy shades would be very flattering to skintone, eye color, and hair color.

Helena

Veteran

Oh my gosh I love this so much and you are just gorgeous. I actually don't find the first palette boring; in fact it shows how effective a small neutral palette can be, especially with the prints and textures added. That said, I love the green and blush for you. Camel is perfect for your style. I'm less sure about the earth tone from a pure skintone flattery perspective but the beauty of your base palette is that it can slot in seamlessly; it also works with your eyes and hair. What about a deep cool red as Angie suggests, or a Merlot/burgundy shade as a quieter 'red' option?

The Cat

Veteran

I definitely think earth tones are for you. Beautiful with your colouring. Black and white do nothing for you.

rachylou

Veteran

Hej! That’s cool. Interesting what Angie’s faves are... The only one I don’t love is the nude pink...

Adriana

Veteran

I am not good at this. But I have used something in my dressing after reading about it in Inside Out style blog.
If you have contrast in your colouring, from eyes hair and skin, then use some contrast in your clothing. That helped me in dressing. And if I see your colours then I think warm(ish). Yes, try different greens.

Anonymous

Fascinating.

notsaf

Veteran

Thanks so much for these comments. It’s clear that color is really subjective, which is quite honestly one of the reasons I tend to avoid it in dressing.

@The Cat, I don’t think you’re wrong that white and black are not the very best for my coloring, but they do something else in my wardrobe that is worth so much more: they make putting outfits together straightforward and easy, and they always allow me to look professional, chic, and appropriate.

@Liesbeth, I agree and that’s a fantastic point!

@Angie, thanks for you advice: I will take it to heart!

@TG, I’m glad you see what I see about warm reddish colors!

@Nemosmom, of course you love that color: it’s your (second?) favorite!

@Anchie, Slim Cat, CG, Nuancedream, ST, Adriana: thank you for the suggestions!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

It is hard for me to judge because colors look different in different fabrics, combinations and so on. But to me #6 makes you pop the most.

Runcarla

Veteran

Though I love #5 (the rust pulls some colour from your hair), #6 seems a better match for how I ‘see’ you from your posts. I might be inclined to replace the forest green with a dark floral that picks up the olive and millennial pink on a black or dark blue background.

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kellygirl

Veteran

I really love the blush color for your coloring. More love for 6. I also think the neutrals in 1 and 2 are very flattering!

notsaf

Veteran

Thanks again for all your comments! Here are a few more palettes incorporating some of your suggestions. Of these, I prefer the last (#5), but I'd be interested to hear what others think.

As a bit of a test, while the shops the other day I tried on a forest green coat (#6-7) that I liked quite a lot, though ultimately I think I need my outwear to be a bit more mellow (and perhaps this is too Christmasy?).

I did purchase this very lovely camel jacket (thinking it was blush: oops) as a non-dark winter third piece (#7-8). It works well both casually with jeans and a tee (as in the dressing room) and with my professional all-black at home, so I think it's a keeper! (Any other styling advice for this one would be welcome!)

One of the things I am realizing is that all these colors are very tied up with associations: for example, the green coat feels like it might be too "Christmasy," while the wine/burgundy colors I've tested in the palettes here may be flattering but always feel overly "collegiate." Meanwhile, Carla's called my blush "millennial pink," which makes me want to run for the hills! I'm wondering how others deal with these kinds of color associations, either by leaning into them or avoiding them.

Thanks again!

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Calia Camel Wool Blend Bomber Jacket – REISS

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Gigi

Veteran

I'm not good at color analysis, though I do like the forest green and blush on you. You might be like me: I have both warm and cool elements of coloring in my face, so it can be hard to tell whether warm or cool tones look better.

I don't think that the green coat is too Christmasy at all. In fact, I really like it! It works well with your coloring. And I like the unusual collar. Now, if you wear a red scarf with it, then it will be too Christmasy. But I would not have considered forest green on its own as being too Christmasy. To me, it would have to be paired with red to give that vibe.

I haven't heard the term "millennial pink" before. I don't associate that color with any particular age group. I actually consider blush to be a sophisticated pink, FWIW.

I haven't associated burgundy/wine with being collegiate. A lot of people on the forum adore those colors (me included). My advice would be that if you like something, buy it and wear it. I used to associate flares with grungy dressing from the 70s and refused to wear them, but I eventually decided to try a pair of bootcuts (easing into it). Well, I loved that pair of jeans so much that they were my most-worn jeans that year. So I would definitely dip your toes into the pool and buy items you like and go from there. So much of personal style is trial and error. You can always add accessories in unusual colors to downplay any unpleasant associations that you may have. Even adding an unusual pair of shoes can do wonders.

Helena

Veteran

I love palettes four and five for you! Not just saying that because they are so similar to my own palette You are so right about camel - it works beautifully on you! I especially love it with the black, which sort of repeats your medium toned hair and darker eyes really nicely.

As to associations, I know what you're saying ... I tend to avoid them by, for example, not wearing forest green to Xmas events - so I sort of avoid the associated situation. I've never heard of burgundy as a collegiate colour? But maybe again wear it in really modern pieces and rich fabric, but avoid any semblance of preppy with it? As for blush, I count that as a neutral The coat is lovely on you! However if it feels too much, maybe stick to your true neutrals for bigger pieces like coats, and use green maybe as a accent with a scarf and toque?

slim cat

Veteran

The green coat looks fab on you - and just right to mix with your black&white pieces or camel/beige/blush. I like #4 and 5 in colors palettes for you. All your pics #6-9 look lovely!

notsaf

Veteran

Thank you Gigi, TG, and slim cat! I'm so grateful for your comments and for those of you who are helping me think through this.

Gigi, your observation about green without red gives me a new way to think about that, and TG, I think you're both right about dipping my toe in with smaller pieces. As for burgundy, all of the schools I've attended and that local to me in the US have reds as school colors, hence my associations. I once had a burgundy silk button-down that my husband said made me look like a cafeteria lady: I don't think I'll get over that! But again, TG, I like the advice of trying to find it in more modern fabrications or styles. Will keep you posted!

smittie

Veteran

I like the blush colour palette!

nemosmom

Veteran

I do love me some green, so I am likely biased, but it DOES look fab with your coloring. The green coat looks great on you, and I don't see a Christmas association with it. Maybe it won't feel Christmassy come January/February?

Of your new palettes, I like #4!

Anonymous

Cafeteria ladies definitely don't wear silk, so you're safe! I like the green coat a lot on you too.

smittie

Veteran

You had asked about the #5 palette. I like dark neutrals. They're my thing, and I think most people with darker hair look great in them.
What I particularly like about this palette is that there is some subtle pattern.