Hard Lesson Learned - No More Beige on Top!

So, I don't know why I haven't learned over the years. Beige is not a
good color for me. I *want* to like it. I like it on others. I have
sort of beige hair. But that's likely where the problem begins. And my
skin coloring just somehow never looks right in beige tones. I
sometimes cave and buy something in "oatmeal" or "flax" or similar. I
love natural things. If I'm in a certain mood I kind of think I like
it and even wear it once or twice. Then I realize after a few months,
it isn't getting worn. At all. And I try it on again. And I hate it. I
look "sickly." I add makeup. Still don't like it. I figure maybe I'm in
a bad mood or just need a little sun, as if I don't get that all the
time here in central Texas. So I put it back and try again another
time, only to repeat the same steps.

I currently own a beige (oatmeal) knit moto - luckily very inexpensive.
I own a flax/beige linen blazer - not so cheap, never gets worn.
Another beige knit blazer (what was I thinking?) A metallic beige-ish
tee - worn twice I think. And probably a few other things I've
forgotten about - oh yes, the flax linen shirt, which is a better
deeper color, closer to taupe, but still for some reason, just a little
too beige for me.

I think I need a beige intervention!

This is more of a reminder to myself. No more beige! (okay, well, a few
khaki beige shorts do get worn and I'm okay with my light beige sandals
and belts.)

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

9 years ago

Anonymous

I'm laughing with you! I love beige. To me, it looks so elegant and sophisticated. On me, I look like a corpse. No amount of makeup will fix it.

Liz Selby

Active Member

Have you tried a warm camel? Looking at your profile pic, I think you may look better in warmer colors. Of course, profile pics are really small!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Have you tried it with white?

Sounds like you prefer olive to this shade of khaki.

texstyle

Veteran

Sterling - I know, exactly!

Liz - I do think I can wear toffee and caramel, but those are harder to come by it seems. So many things are in that basic beige/tan color.

Sheila

Yes, the same thing happens to me. I do think I could wear this color in pants and skirts, but most of them in this color are way too casual for me. I think in a dressier, heavily textured fabric it might work for slacks or a skirt but, in my price range, I never see anything like what I just described. Now cognac, toffee, caramel -- I love and wear all of these colors!

Brooklyn

I so get this! I had the same revelation about a year ago. I am very drawn to beige and natural colours (I particularly like "stone" and "parchment"). I finally realised they wash me out completely. I also struggle with cream. I now try to hold out for olive/camel/bronze/toffee shades. Last summer I started dyeing a lot of my beige stuff deeper colours. I am having a beige exorcism.

Same here I think I'm cured though, but it did take way too long.

Sal

I am in your club too TexStyle - I look very blah in beige and camel. I can wear richer browns and darker browns but am not doing so at the moment. I love winter white and cream.

With your existing pieces a scarf might help, in a blue for example? or just a clean break and moving forward. I admire it on others- it can be very elegant, but I think it really suits olive or dark complexions the best or maybe a very pale skinned auburn person.

I now stick to khaki/olive as a neutral but mostly on the bottom half. I have a parka but I don't think it really suits me.

deb

I am with you on this. If I do no wear a saturated color or bright white, I look very ill and I always see such cute pieces in the beige color range.

K. Period.

I was totally sworn off of beige and taupe too, but then Angie introduced me to a taupe she calls "donkey." She held it up and I told her there was no way it would work. Then I tried it on and it was absolutely gorgeous. And shortly thereafter she convinced me to buy an amazing camel coat. The two are workhorses for me. (Hmmm. Donkey, camel, and the funny thing is that the one color of beige I do love to wear is one I call palomino. I see a theme here.)

But you get to happily wear olive, which looks terrible on me, but I love, so I think you've got a fair tradeoff!!

I can't wear beige, either. It seems to drain all the color from my face.

viva

I'm still trying to figure this out. I bought a beige sweater recently and I loved it one minute and didn't the next; lighting seemed to be important. I just tried on a BR jacket in beige and I really liked it but I worried the lighting was playing tricks on me, plus I have a little bit of suntan on my face right now and that is helping I think. This color seems to be a lot of work.

Never trust store lighting.

Firecracker (Sharan)

So sad! I thought khaki was a good color for you, and if it isn't, it should be. It's definitely your style--as you mention, natural shades just seem so up your alley. There has been discussion on the forum about "soul-sucking beige," hasn't there? I think you might have found it! In more than one item!

At least I know I am in good company! I have been able to wear it with bright white as Angie suggested and some others mentioned - with some success, but again, I just don't tend to reach for it, so it doesn't make a lot of since to keep trying.

Category