How do you do complements? Thanks LaPed for getting me thinking :) - YouLookFab Forum

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How do you do complements? Thanks LaPed for getting me thinking :)

Helena

Veteran

Hi everyone, the lovely La Pedestrienne has me thinking about complements today with her post on the subject. (ETA - I realize in my enthusiasm, I unintentionally really duplicated her post with this thread - so by all means head on over there to share your wisdom instead - with apologies!!!)

It's got me wondering - do you do complements based on a colour (say, a red complement, a blush complement), or as LaPed does, based on a quality of colour (say, a pastel complement, earth-tones complement, or a jewel-tone complement) - or both? Have you found one approach to be more effective than another? Pros and cons of each?

Love to hear more about everyone's complement strategies - I'm hoping to find some 'playtime' in the closet today to sort through mine (and wondering if this might help with my POTO items too!)

Thanks lovelies!

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from nemosmom

Runcarla

Veteran

You may have read my approach in response to past posts on colour in the closet. I do a Vivenne Files 4 pack when introducing a new colour. If successful, I might build up the collection. I stay true to the colour, though if it is a colour that is hard to find at retail, I might go with tonal variations. I don't restrict myself to clothes or accessories only.

My red complement consists of two outerwear items (puffer and spring coat), a beret, sneakers, and a clutch/wallet, a flannel shirt. The red in all the items is a very close match.

I have a 3 piece blush complement that includes a belt and a 4 piece green complement that includes a leather bag and a neckerchief. The green includes hunter and olive. I have used the hunter green bag when wearing olive. The mixed shades of green work really well with neutrals like white, navy blue and cognac.

*These are actually the only 'colours' I have besides neutrals!

ChristelJ

Veteran

Fun to think about this. I do complements based on color cravings, which seems to be organic and emotional. Right now, the craving is for a color group that includes warm dark reds like maroon and brick red. Since I second-hand shop a great deal, I find items that way and then road test them in various outfits. Not efficient at all, but entertaining!

Helena

Veteran

ChristeIJ, a wonderful colour and great that you enjoy it!

Carla, I'm sure I have and the details didn't stick properly in my sieve-brain ... I looked on Vivienne Files and didn't see a four pack - is that like in her 4x4s (i.e. you add four pieces, whatever they may be, in the complementary colour?).

Do you guys find it helpful to have items that enable you to repeat the colour within an outfit - i.e. a top, a belt, a scarf, a shoe, vs. 3 or 4 tops?

anchie

Veteran

I build them arround color and consider only accessories - shoes, bag, belt, scarf, hat, maybe some jewelry too. I may have clothing items in the same color, but don’t consider them part of the complement.

Gretchen

Veteran

I'm exploring this right now with a couple colors. I tend to start with a top or sweater that can add in with other neutrals, and then if I like it, expand to something that can add to an outfit with that color.

So with teal this fall, I started with a sweater, then added a blazer/dress combo. For spring, I'm thinking of adding a lighter weight blouse, or maybe a skirt.

I also bought the 'conker' sweater 2 months ago, but haven't added to that color yet. Thinking probably shoes or a top here, but want to see how much I like the color before doing much expansion.

I'm finding that I really like having my wardrobe spreadsheet help here. Every item has 2 color descriptions - what the vendor calls it (Conker) and what I would call it (Brown). Then I can filter by my colors, and see how many pieces, and of what type I have.

nemosmom

Veteran

Since the pickle outfit incident, I'm playing with this too. *following*

Anonymous

I just responded on LaPed's thread, TG!
I do colour complements, and find this aspect of wardrobe building very exciting.

Anonymous

I do as Anchie describes. Clothes aren't part of it.

Sal

Veteran

I do some neutral complements - I like to have options of matching shoes and bag or belt and shoes. But I don’t tend to do it with colour per se.

I would like to add some winter red though - maybe a puffer and sweater, or at least a hat.

Joy

Veteran

I try to make sure that I have accessory compliments of footwear and a bag. I may try to add other types of bags and footwear, a belt, scarf, socks and hats.

My most complete and used capsules are metallics ( both gold and silver), white, black and white, and blush. I also have some tomato red, navy, browns and black. I have shoes and bag for yellow and turquoise (aqua), navy and some shades of taupe.

clothing: I try to have a co-ordinating topper for every sleeveless dress but most are neutrals.

Bonnie

Veteran

I have a neutral rich wardrobe with not many colors. I have added red coats and a few tops but definitely need to learn about this, too.

Runcarla

Veteran

Sorry if my tone came across harsh, torontogirl - I was trying to appologize for repeating myself, and it didn't come out right. :-/

Though I don't do 4 X 4 capsules, I do use the concept of a '4 pack' or expansion set for when I'm auditioning a new colour.

Clothes are usually the starting point for me. I'll get an idea to try a colour inspired by what I read and/or what I see in retail. I usually start with a top or two and bottoms. (I did have blush chinos as part of my blush capsule and I do have olive shorts as part of my green capsule. Like Angie, I am on the hunt for the perfect red pants.). I stay focused and look for other interesting pieces and accessories. Accessories make for easy repetition of the colour, or bookending, but they may see limited wear if you decide the colour no longer works for you. It might be easier to justify passing on a tank top, but harder to rationalize jetisoning a leather bag. A garment with a print that features your new colour as well as other colours and/or a neutral can be a good addition.

A great multicolour print accessory can be a bridge between your existing wardrobe and a new colour introduction, and last beyond the fad of the new colour. I just retired a workhorse striped bag that bridged the gap between my neutrals and other colours. The bag got tons of wear and outlasted several colour experiments.

Oops! Forgot my wine capsule - sweater, velveteen ankle pants, belt.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

I started with sticking to colors that supposedly suited my “deep autumn” coloring then built around it using colors opposite of the color wheel. So my neutrals are navy and cream for the most part. Opposite of blue is orange, so I have a lot of orange/gold hued clothing. Then I might spread out a bit into pink or yellow from the orange. I don’t have many other colors in my wardrobe. If I get something out of those color schemes, it will be a mostly stand alone piece like a dress, or a statement piece like a burgundy corduroy blazer ( which is sort opposite yellow/gold)

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

oops--misunderstanding

Helena

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone for your input! I've learned a lot and had a great time reading all of your approaches. I'm going to play around with some complements in finds now

Carla - didn't think anything negative for a second Thanks so much for explaining your approach again; appreciate it!

Vix

Veteran

Hi TG --

You may have seen my answer on La Ped's thread but I stuck it below -- and added one more photo just for you.

For budgetary reasons I've always had a very Garanimals approach to building out my closet...so I tried to buy X item that would go with Y in a way that I liked.

Because I only wear cool-toned colors, over time I gained more mass with various shades or variations thereof -- which I guess we're calling complements.

See current deep blue items in photo 3 for an example of snowball effect

I think there are many roads to Rome so it's just what works well for you in terms of how you like to build them out -- or if you build a color out. A couple concrete examples:

Once I was looking for a very specific, know-it-when-I-see-it style of bag in a TBD color that would work with a lot of my outfits. Turns out a deep blue'd olive was the winner, but I didn't have or seek out more of the shade. It's a color orphan but a closet workhorse.

OTOH, because I like to wear more blended-looking outfits (lower-contrast colors together and/or repeating colors) I do try to buy new stuff with an eye to outfit creation -- which means I consider fabric weight and texture, item proportion, etc.

I guess if I had to give one tip I'd say I've found it doesn't do me any good to have the "perfect" item in a great color if it doesn't go with *any* of my existing stuff in all the right ways -- unless I'm prepared to buy friends for my new thing! Which sometimes I am, ha.

Happy contemplation of complements!

****c&p from La Ped's thread****

I have a neutrals-heavy wardrobe and prefer tonal or low-contrast-with-each-other colors.

I'm a print-lover and have a lot that incorporate my base neutrals and core colors. Prints are also a key way I keep from getting bored with my most flattering shades -- love finding a new combo.

Sometimes I like to pick out the "extra" shades in prints and buy solid pieces in those. Last year my shades of blush and deeper greens were around and they fit in easily with what I had, and I found an off-neutral blue-grey summery bag, so....

Alternatively, I go through phases where I get a bug up my butt about wanting to add or expand a color range. This year it was red-violets (wine, berries, plums) and let's just say retailers and I have very different understandings of those terms but I found some winners and overdyed items to get there my own $%# self!

I've learned via time that for me, shoes = dark neutrals or near-neutrals (wine) in cold weather and cool metallics or skin tones in warm weather so I generally don't add color there.

Grabbed existing collages to semi-illustrate, redundancy exists!

#1: Low-Key Neutrals with Prints, Barely Boho results

#2: Berries Plums Red Violets with best Pantone colors (matched to RL fan not online chart)

#3: Deep blue items -- the majority of my color-color clothing

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Anonymous

Mostly by color, and could be any combination of shoes, bag, scarf, winter accessories, or jewelry-and including prints. Cognac, mustard, red, charcoal, and turquoise I have right now- and its been intentional to have my full house + 1 color formula. I do have a couple one offs that need more partners eventually.

With complements the main thing is for me is to make sure they work seasonally and are in the same refinement level. So not a winter hat and sandals for example, or a dressy clutch and hiking boots.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I'll post what I wrote on La Ped's post:

I can't help but think in capsules and complements because I am VERY drawn to colours and remixing them in all sorts of ways in outfits. I'm constantly matching things up in my head - like trying to solve a puzzle so that the pieces fit - so I guess that's how my brain works. As a result I have many, many neutral and non-neutral complements.

I build complements because they are a effective styling tool. Here are some easy to follow posts on the subject.,

https://youlookfab.com/2017/04.....omplement/

https://youlookfab.com/2012/09.....-for-fall/

https://youlookfab.com/2017/06.....r-scarves/

Like Anchie and Lisa P - no clothes. It's footwear and accessories built around a neutral or non-neutral. Clothing is a CAPSULE.

Helena

Veteran

Thanks Angie and all - that distinction is helpful!

And yes, I realize I COMPLETELY duped LaPed's post - which was not intentional, but the result of getting too enthusiastic about the topic and not thinking before posting Apologies to LaPed for that, and thanks/apologies to everyone who was kind enough to repeat themselves! I've edited the original post to direct folks over to LaPed's thread.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Don't worry at all, sweet Helena! It's a great topic, and repetition is fab.

rachylou

Veteran

Have to think about this. I like colour, a lot of colour. I go on Colour Quests and build up a complement. I like being able to do matchy matchy... so for example I have a minty blouse and a minty blazer, cobalt blouse and pants and jumpsuit, etc. I rarely try to bring in colour with accessories, altho of course I got this winter lilac knit gloves and matching headband/ear-warmer thingy. Probably my biggest complements are for red, white and black. I like those colours together.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You wrote complements, I read compliments. Do I compliment people on the color they are wearing? Hmm, no more on their entire look and especially hair changes. Need more coffee fast!

Anonymous

Not that it matters much - but I realized I wanted to correct what I first wrote : capsules include clothes , and these I have in navy , olive , black , grey and a small burgundy one . Complements are accessories /footwear driven , and are in other colours altogether ....

Gigi

Veteran

Interesting spinoff thread; no apologies necessary! It has made me think more thoroughly about my own complements. And what I realized is that when the color in question is a very dark one, such as navy, burgundy, or forest green, I don't feel the need to buy multiple items. I'm happy wearing the lone forest green shirt, for instance, or the lone navy top. However, when it comes to more "obvious" colors, such as mustard or pink, I want to own at least three or four items in that color. Ideally, I would like those complements to consist of an item of clothing, a pair of shoes, a purse, and one other item (probably an accessory).

So I apparently feel the need to tie together the brighter accent colors in my outfit by wearing two items in the same color, but I feel no such need with the dark colors. It makes me wonder what would happen if I made an effort to get more pieces in the dark colors, and actually build true complements with them...maybe I would be happier with my outfits!

nemosmom

Veteran

I was reading your list on LaPed's thread and doing my own color investigation, both online and in my closet. I found this link about palettes and thought the 'math' behind her formulas was helpful. I combined her sections here:

2-3 NEUTRALS Pick neutral colours that would suit your basics, i.e. simple tops, trousers, cardigans, etc. Black, white, cream, tan, and all shades of brown and grey are obvious choices, although any other shade that creates a neutral (duh) canvas is also good, like a muted light blue for example. You want your neutrals to be able to act as a blank canvas for the rest of your colours, so each of your two neutrals should go with every other shade of your palette.

2-5 ACCENT SHADES Each accent colour should work with each neutral and at least two of your main colours. Bonus points if they go with each other as well. Accent colours should work for accessories and single items, like tops or skirts, that you would pair with your key pieces or basics.

3-4 MAIN COLOURS Your main colours should be ones that you can see yourself wearing A LOT, and that would work especially well for your key pieces, like jackets, shoes, trousers, coats, etc. Each main colour should should work with each neutral, each other main colour and at least two accent shades.