My favorite suit is one color--bright tomato red. So I guess I'm not the best person to comment on this thread.

Interesting discussion. As has been said it depends on field, but I think so much has to do with cut and fit as well.

Hmm, well, if you're subbing I think they'll just be grateful to you for showing up! (Only sort of j/k here.)

I never shy away from wearing colour, pattern, texture, etc when working with children. Especially as a sub, it's nice if they have an easy way to identify/connect with you. If you wear hot pink, you'll probably be "Ms Hot Pink" the next time you teach. Kids notice and remember everything! I have preschoolers who question my footwear choices: "Are you sure those boots are warm enough?"

In a very conservative field, in a new position, I might hesitate to wear brights (or pastels, for that matter). But as others have said, I think silhouette and fabrication matter just as much, if not more.

From your description, it sounds like the bright pink will be anchored by a neutral (navy) so I think you're good to go!

I wear a lot of colors. And older I get less I care if it is appropriate or not. I just want to have fun.
My daughter was giving me a lot of grief about my colorful outfits, saying that only neutrals are professional and that I am embarrassing her during school run. But lately there was a big change, she is even encouraging me to wear a more color. I have a suspicion that her friends commented positively on my outfits and that she is not embarrassed any more:)

Suntiger: Thanks for clarifying. Great system, a way to organise multiple colours in an outfit. How fun!

La Ped: Thanks for your response. I think the overall cohesiveness and look matters more than the colours themselves. However I worry that wearing, say, bright red or bright orange may agitate the little children! However i'm hoping pink or blue is safer/less stimulating in that regard.....

Anchie: it's hard to please everyone with your clothing choices lol. You wear colour beautifully, I think it really suits you.

To be a sub, dress so you feel and look like you are in control. The older the kids, the more classic you need to look because you look very young.
Put your hair up. Wear jewelry. Do not wear anything someone you are teaching would wear.

Joy: you are so right! For older students I dress more conservatively, because I have to be so serious around them. But for younger groups I feel better wearing something with more personality/light hearted.

Em: I would love to see a wiw of your tomato red suit

Jussie: It looks a bit like this. The skirt is an inch or so shorter and it may be a tad redder, but mostly like this with the 3/4 sleeves: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/.....9/?lp=true

There's nothing neutral about it.

I'm wondering if it would be useful to photograph your more colorful outfits and then transfer the visual to black and white. Ms Mary posted very colorful outfits but she always looked 100% polished and I'm thinking there may have been a more subtle formula at work too, like textures, proportions of dark to light, etc.

FashIntern- its not 3 pieces of each color, its 1 color 3x, 1 color 2x and 1 color 1x! Even small amounts count-jewelry, toenail polish, etc. It sounds like a lot, but its all more or less in my DA color scheme-so low/medium value contrast, even though the colors are saturated.

I think your examples look fine.
Personally, I always (whether for job, casual, or party) want to include at least one neutral (even if it is just kin the form of shoes, a bag or some jewellery. The non-neutrals help me to look and feel grounded.
As for the gamine look, I think it has more to do with style than colours. Some gamines enjoy wearing lots of colours and look great. Others tend to wear a lot of black, white and grey and look gorgeous

Thanks Suntig! I wear a lot of color, might try counting to see how close I am to your ideal.

Good examples, Jussie