How much colour is ok for work? - YouLookFab Forum

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How much colour is ok for work?

jussie

Veteran

Hello guys!
As always, I come seeking the wisdom of the forum....
I'm just planning my work outfit for tomorrow, and it brings me to a question I keep coming up to.
"How many different colours is ok for a work outfit?"
and, more particularly;
"Is it ok not to wear ANY nuetral in a work outfit?"
I am considering a hot pink silk skirt with a floral pattern on it, with a navy silk tucked-in buttondown shirt, and navy ballet flats.
I'm thinking because the shoes and shirt are both navy that will cool down the hot pink.... But am I pushing it too far? Do you guys ever do a work outfit with zero nuetrals in?

I have included links here to a couple of separates outfits that don't contain a neutral to give an idea of the vibe I'm going for, (although outfit three has a neutral shoe and handbag to ground it). I think not including a nuetral gives a lighter, fun, feminine almost a little "gamine" look to an outfit, but feel free to disagree with me:

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....;color=053

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....;color=032

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....;color=066

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....;color=009

https://www.anthropologie.com/.....8;color=07

Thanks so much to any who can advise!

Dressing

44 replies

Latest reply was from Cee

Carla

Veteran

When I was in the workforce (I retired earlier this year) I wore outfits that were all colours. A favourite was an apple green sweater with a cobalt skirt. Another was yellow ankle crops, with red shoes, a bue and white striped button down with a blue and white patterned topper. Another favourite was wine coloured ankle crops, a red sweater, and a purple jacket. I worked in a conservative office environment but with a flexible dress code. I wasn't the only person to dress in colours, but the worker bee uniform tended to black pants and a coloured top with a cardigan (the place was always cold!)

jussie

Veteran

Runcarla: Thank you, that's music to my ears. Apple green and cobalt sound really cool too :). Most people I see at work are wearing predominantly neutrals, or if the entire outfit is coloured it's because it's a dress. Coloured separates don't seem as common.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I think of navy as a neutral...

Carla, your outfits sound great. No wonder it's difficult to transition from your work clothes into retirement.

Anonymous

Umm jussie, you have seen my wiws right? That being said, if i dont stick to my "full house +1" rule i feel chaotic. 1 color 3x, 1 color 2x, 1 color 1x.

rachylou

Veteran

I have and do... but I’ll be honest and say neutrality gets a person more respect more easily.

Staysfit

Veteran

I wear fuschia and red without any neutrals to work. My hair is grey, so maybe that’s the neutral!

I think it may depend on your workplace. Where I work color is no problem, but I’m not a corporate lawyer, banker or in a conservative role......

I also completely disagree with what Rachy says. Color may buy respect and power. It is totally dependent on the person, profession, role and situation. The one problem with color is that the person wearing it needs to use it wisely and as a complement, not as a detractor or distractor.

jussie

Veteran

Suntiger: could you explain your full house + 1 rule a little more?

Rachy: I certainly agree including a neutral seems safer in many settings. And I’m grateful for your comment because it’s exactly the honest feedback I was looking for.

Stays: I hear you, so much depends on the type of work environment. I work two jobs:
1) private school substitute teacher: I was told to wear “a suit and tie, no less” (the female equivalent). This job isn’t the one I’m doing tomorrow.
2) public school substitute teacher: I was told “dress professionally”, but no specifics. Others seem to wear a fairly broad range of neat casual outfits. This is where I’m thinking of trying the zero neutral outfit...

I think an outfit with no neutral to ground it can look professional, but it’s certainly trickier to get it right. I think the links I included above show really nice execution of non-neutrals that still look very neat and tidy, polished.

kkards

Veteran

this is such a hard question to answer because as Staysfit mentioned it can really depend on your workplace, and your role in it, and how comfortable you are dressing outside the norm, (assuming this is outside the norm or you wouldn't be asking)
MsMary used to post often, and her work outfits were very colorful. she did work in a conservative enivorment, but in a fairly nonconservative city, and she was well established in her job.
i will say, that where i'm from navy is totally a nuetral....

jussie

Veteran

Kkards: thanks for your response. Yes, the norm varies so much from place to place. Here’s some examples of very typical outfits at my job (job number 2) I’ve seen lately:

1) dark green jeans, with black blouse and black cardigan.
2) black ponte pants, white blouse, grey cardigan, multicolored scarf.
3) white buttondown tucked into multicolored skirt.

Mainelady

Veteran

I don’t think there is a strict color code for work. If the colors and combinations make you happy, then wear them! I bet they will make others happy, too.

kkards

Veteran

jussie...if it helps, i looked at the outfits in the links you provided, and as long as your not a lawyer, investment banker, or a C level executive in a Fortune 500 company, i think in todays world you are pretty much good to go

jussie

Veteran

Kkards: haha so true. Things are so much more casual now. Having some matchy-matchy elements in those outfits seems to pull them together even without a neutral....

rachylou

Veteran

Well, it’s an interesting thing if you’re willing to get into the weeds. Of your links, it’s the last skirt that I’d say is ‘colourful.’ It’s hot colour, loud colour, and patterned. One can certainly do all that deftly, even work it to advantage, but I stand by my opinion it’s easier to go more muted and not think about it at all.

Also, have to say: As an independent contractor - where every day all day is a job interview / telling bosses what to do / winning the hearts and minds of the bosses’ jaded staff - you know, I’ve literally been hired for being the most button-down in dress. I have been TOLD that.

And then as you go behind the scenes to where Things Get Done, people are also forthright about Wanting Discretion. Which is interesting... because people will criticise if you don’t have style, if you don’t know who you are, but still... well, they also don’t want any publicity liabilities...

Bijou

Veteran

Jussi, I wear colour to work. I like wearing non-neutrals and feel very confident in doing so.

However, if you are not sure, then a work wardrobe of black, navy, grey, charcoal, blush and white will see you through any and every situation. This is how about 90% of my work colleagues dress and they look lovely and office appropriate.

To me it is not colour that looks unprofessional, it is fit (too tight) or revealing (too short, too low cut etc) that tends to make more of a bad impression.

RobinF

Veteran

I think your examples look professional enough for most workplaces (and are super cute!). I agree with Bijou that fit and style are more important than color.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I don’t think I ever wear an outfit without any neutrals unless it is a dress, and even then I will ground it with neutral shoes and accessories. But I am not a head-to-toe color person.

I agree that a colorful outfit can be wholly professional (hello, MsMary’s amazing outfits and she is totally professional and polished!). But I think perfect fit, classic cuts, and careful styling help make this approach work for the most professional effect.

Molly Mac

Veteran

I think of navy blue as a neutral and it is the most popular neutral in my closet. I love color and frequently wear colorful outfits to work. My rules are that the silhouettes must be modern classic, the fabrics high quality, and the fits perfect. This helps avoid a feeling of chaos and being overwhelmed by your clothes. I did a presentation last week to about 50 physicians and I wore a bright lavender lace top, navy tuxedo trousers, and soft pink velvet heels. I felt professional but pretty and received many compliments on my outfit.

Christina F.

Veteran

I wear lots of crazy colors but I always prefer a neutral piece to pair them with, if it's a top or a bottom. I don't think about that based on what's acceptable at work - it's just personal preference.

JAileen

Veteran

I think given your jobs that lots of color is fine. I had neutrals in my wardrobe so that lots of things would mix and match. So, not so my outfit was sober, but that it was versatile.

Helena

Veteran

I think it depends on the workplace ... if everyone shows up in gray suits and white shirts, then a lot of color might stand out more than you might want - but generally speaking, I think it's less about color and more about the pieces - if they are neat, professional and appropriate to your workplace, then I think the color is lower in importance.

I also agree that navy is a neutral, certainly for business purposes, so you are probably good. Would love to see the final outfit you put together!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Generally, you can wear as many as 10 brights in an outfit, if that's your cuppa tea. My personal record is five.

No need to wear an outfit with neutrals. Feel free to wear brights from head to toe. Your hair and skin are neutral, so in that sense - you bring neutrals to your look no matter what.

For the school day, wear the neutral and bright mix that makes you feel in control and confident.

bj1111

Veteran

You’re wearing this outfit to substitute teach. Won’t know the grade until that day. Depending on the grade, the class, the kid, they may give you more or less authority and the outfit can help or hinder your effectiveness.

Female profs are judged more harshly than make profs in their dress.

All this to say, wear what you want as long as you know the effect on your professional function and perception.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What bj111 and Bijou said.

Alicewonderland

Veteran

I think multiple non-neutral colors are totally fine for work day. I’m going to do a similar scheme as you today- hot pink sweater, navy pants and blazer, and I work in a very conservative field. (Though navy is a neutral). I think key is the fabric and style/sillouhette has to be professional. I think wearing colors to work makes people feel happy and makes you approacheable. If going to a job interview though, i would be more conservative.

Sal

Veteran

I think colourful is fine in pretty much every setting. There are times when neutral is better, but I think that is a rarity.

Wearing several or even one bright colour can make you stand out in a sea of neutrals but that can be a positive thing.

I like colour a lot, and wear bright large patterns comfortably, but I don't often wear a bright top and bright pants (colour blocking). I like it but it does not feel right on me - and I don't quite have the components.

I think scruffy/worn out, too short, too tight, very high heels would be the areas that can make workwear look either casual OR more evening appropriate. I don't see you doing any of those things.

jussie

Veteran

Sal: thanks for your reply. I agree it’s more about general appropriateness and level of formality than colour itself. The trick is making more than one colour flattering, on-trend and cohesive. Not always easy, but fun as a challenge.
You sure do wear brights with the best of them :).

Alicewonderland: thanks for your response. I would love to see your pink and navy outfit!! I agree that colour can make a person initially seem more approachable :).

unfrumped

Veteran

Sort of what bj1111 said, and some cautions.
“ Gamine” is a lovely look to go for with your features but the term itself also to me evokes less authority. So color + gamine could be marvelous for young children, much like bright colors in a pediatric clinic are for the kids, but maybe not for teens. So this is where colors vs the clothing itself may not be the same. It tends to be harder to get “ serious “ clothes in bright colors — good cuts and fabrics —but not impossible. Flip side is someone could wear all neutrals and look cheap or sloppy.

cindysmith

Veteran

Navy is a neutral in my book. It's probably more properly called a "pseudo-neutral" but it goes with pretty much anything and everything, so it's a neutral.
And how much color is too much color depends on your work dress code and office norms (which is totally NOT helpful, I know). But I don't think you're going to look out-of-place in navy and hot pink

Anonymous

Heres an example of the (no less than) full house (3 and 2) + 1 color rule:
Burgundy pencil skirt, tights, booties
Rust blouse
And plaid scarf with burgundy, orange (similar to the rust), olive, and black.
My guidelines: colors can be tonal, and anything counts as a duplication of the color (jewelry, accessories, or even skin/hair/eye color). Cognac for example, can be counted as a duplicate with orange, copper, mustard, tigers eye jewelry, or my skin (if its summer and im not all covered up). My 3 could be even as simple as 3 pieces of gold jewelry or gold hardware on shoes or bag. The main thing so i dont feel chaotic is not having a bunch of random colors with nothing bridging them.

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