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How to do a column of color without lots of layering?

Helena

Veteran

Hi everyone,
Angie's post today (specifically that ink Boden sweater outfit) got me thinking about columns of color for dressing. I love this look, and it's a slam-dunk in moderate weather, when a finishing layer, such as a blazer, jacket, or cardi, can be used to add interest.

I'm wondering, though, in non-layering-friendly weather such as the depths of winter (when there is so much outerwear to put on that indoor jackets, scarves, etc. become a pain) and summer (too hot!), how you would create a column of color look that wouldn't be super-boring? Different colors of belts and shoes? Statement necklaces? Or just embrace the minimalism during these fashion-restricted seasons?

Or perhaps it's a more simple question - how do you complete outfits without layering? Does this make sense to anyone?

Love to hear everyone's tips and suggestions. Thank you Fabbers!

Dressing

29 replies

Latest reply was from Lynn

LaPed

Veteran

I'm glad I'm not the only one who struggles with third pieces/completers in deep winter! I can't wait 'til spring, when jackets and blazers feel feasible again. I really have no good suggestions. I suspect a good arsenal of accessories could help, but I'm a terrible accessories shopper.

In summer, I find that just having bare arms makes simple two-piece outfits look a little more dynamic. I'm not sure how to achieve that with long sleeves. I keep returning to the idea of vests.

karen13

Veteran

I will watch this because I’m stumped too.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I live in a climate wear layering really isn't an option save for maybe a few random days. So I've given up mostly on blazers and light jackets and have leaned towards adding interest in another way. That said, I guess I don't really wear a column of color that often, other than navy/dark denim or white pants with light or white top.

Wearing a solid dress is a column of color - and many don't wear jackets with their dresses, right? Bare arms and bare legs can of course add "color" and structure.

I feel like a belt in the same color could add some interest too. But if you find any leather navy belts with minimal hardware, please let me know as I've been searching for 2 years.

I do find that I like to add things with a little interest - a twist front on a tee can be fun, a long necklace with a dress, or an outfit with textures.

Gibson Twist Front Cozy Fleece Pullover

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Vacances Dress in Leta Stripe

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Knotshine Necklace

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unfrumped

Veteran

Same issues.
A nice , heftier “ finished sweater I’ve pants in matching or tonal colors + necklace or scarf.
Or tuckikin in tonal blouse with high waisted pants. Simple but “interesting “ shoes— keep tonal if legline bothers or use contrast to use shoes as more accessory and “ complete “. These types of outfits are harder to create/ find in interesting colors or even “ nearly neutrals”.
The “ column of color “ concept has especially helped when I DO want to wear a topper because I often want the topper to be a lighter neutral or a color, but feel the outfit will look too randomly mix&match and even frumpy with different color top, pants, jacket, plus all chop up legline, so somehow the column helps me feel more stylish somehow.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

First of all, you can wear blazers under puffers and the right coats - it's not that much of a pain if you really want to wear the look.

Why aren't you wearing a scarf????

Vests in hot weather.

Joy

Veteran

Embrace the minimalism or textured pieces. Texture can be shiny, lacy, or floaty as well as chunky.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I think this is why I prefer cardigans to jackets... more comfortable to wear under coats. But I have NO issue wearing a cardigan or vest in winter. I often wear a scarf (an indoor one, sometimes also with an "outdoor" one too, depending how it's tied).

And in the summer I guess I like the simplicity of NOT layering. I bring interest in with jewellery or shoes. At least, I hope I do

Helena

Veteran

Angie, fair points. As to the scarf, my heavy-weight outdoor scarf is too big to wear indoors, and it feels weird to have an indoor scarf under an outdoor scarf. But not un-doable, you're right.

The blazer, it's true, can go under a puffer. I think because I spend extended periods outside in full winter gear when the weather is really bad (shovelling, walking the school run, etc.) the discomfort is a little more noticeable. But true enough that I could just pop it under when I'm going out and about. It really is just an issue in the worse of weather, which we are in right now, hence my focus on it!

Helena

Veteran

Sorry, great suggestions also from everyone else!

Elizabeth, do you wear an indoor scarf and then stick the outdoor one over the top when you need it? True point about the cardis in winter.

Joy, great point about the texture details.

LaPed and Karen, glad it's not just me!

Texstyle, love that tee; I should break out my long necklace for these days too.

Unfrumped, great suggestions; I agree it's a fantastic concept! I want to learn to be better at it!

gryffin

Veteran

TG - I find there are many tricks to this look, since it is my favorite. First belts, I wear a lot of embellished belts as jewelry are terrific. Also a long pendant necklace but I don't wear a lot of jewelry so I don't usually do this or a scarf. A very important aspect for me is "elevated essentials" still monochromatic but there must be texture, cut, subtle embellishment, faux tuck, cut, volume, that sets the piece apart so it is interesting in it's own right. Also structure - skin pushing up sleeves, a neckline revealing the collar bone, rolled pants showcasing ankles or socks, you get it. You need to put more thought into the details and balance of minimalist looks. In many ways, I think they require as much if not more planning, as color or pattern, for them to reach a level of wow!! Also ponte blazers for warm weather esp with bracelet sleeves are fab, EF does silk swing jackets with also no weight, a summer favorite, swackets, all do warm weather and hang around home just fine. Great boots/booties (if you feet can handle them, I am off footwear due to neuroma but that used to be a favorite trick for me). I hope that helps. Oh and big recommendation lace tops are trending right now and they are great 4 season for texture, if you aren't layering all the interesting sleeve treatments would make things very stunning. They don't layer under jackets so they are out for me. Just a thought.

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Elizabeth P

Veteran

TG, yes, if I'm wearing a scarf to work, I wear an outdoor scarf as well - unless the indoor scarf properly fills in that spot in the coat. But if I were at home, I'd probably swap them out if I was going out to play in the snow. Depending on the scarf, and how it's tied.

Helena

Veteran

Gryffin, that's a treasure trove of ideas! Thank you so much. I agree, less is more can definitely be MORE work, as the devil is in the details (and the details are few, so you can't afford much in the way of mistakes!). I like the idea of interesting sleeves and lace detail too.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I do layer jackets under coats -- it works better with wool coats than puffers as a rule, at least for me. With my puffers, I'm more likely to layer a cardigan. But that may be because I wear my puffers on more casual days and my wool coats on dressier days.

Like Elizabeth, I wear "double scarf" looks, too.

Like Gryffin, I love belts.

When I'm having the kind of day you describe -- long hours outdoors with the outdoor gear being the most visible, I tend to just dress for that. It will be minimal underneath with maybe an interesting belt or scarf.

Sara L.

Veteran

I don't layer much but I wear lots of scarves (even in the summer - I have some light silky ones) and necklaces to add interest to outfits. I think small patterns can give you a monochromatic look but with some interest. Also, I use interesting shoes to add outfit interest.

Anonymous

TG — I know what you’re saying. I don’t like layers at ANY time, let alone deep winter and deep summer.
I suggest:
- getting out of your comfort zone and trying accessories or shoes that are a little flashy. Leopard print springs to mind.
- a skinny belt in a colour or print
- a statement necklace in a colour that is tonal with your top (so that it’s not too crazy)

You could try slightly BIGGER earrings.

You could try a thicker, more luxurious turtle neck, where there is a noticeable visual improvement in quality.

I think there’s a balance between comfort zone-wear (column of colour and slim fitting, classic clothes) and something with some zing.

I say all this, but I am personally still hugely averse to animal prints and big jewelry, lol! But if the scale is small, like a tiny bit of animal print, and there is only a tiny bit of colour, or tonal colour, I think I can do it.

Anonymous

Also, what about a cream cardigan. There is is a type that goes straight down with no buttons. My colleague was wearing it today, and she looked wonderful. She is tall and straight with crystal Greene eyes, and looks good in very streamlined clothes, like you.

rachylou

Veteran

Hmm. Boy, I have to think. When I’m in my full-length puffy... eh, that’s my column of colour right there, and there’s no interest really. I’m zipped to the neck and maybe even have the hood up. I tried belting it, using the belt from an old puffy, and it was just wrong.

Sal

Veteran

I wear the column of colour look often especially in our winter...but our winter is not really comparable.

I tend to wear navy or black columns only and I wear a light shoe (I have lighter hair) - or a contrasting shoe or ankle boot. I also wear a contrasting coat and sometimes scarf.

Honestly though when it is that cold I think just having good fitting jeans or pants and a stylish puffer or coat is enough.

I don't tend to layer jackets under puffers, I do under a wool coat if going to the office or to a meeting, but not to the rugby when I know I won't take the coat off.

Style Fan

Veteran

I wear cardigans as my third piece in winter. I run very cold. I don't wear indoor scarves in the winter. Too much going on! I do wear earrings and jewellery.

jussie

Veteran

Umm ok this is nothing to do with column of colour but when I’m struggling to add a third piece I like to use either bold nail polish or a bold lipstick... also maybe you could try some beautiful leather gloves in winter, perhaps an emerald green or red.....
Best of luck with it

Runcarla

Veteran

Like Joy mentioned, work texture. Velvet, velour, brocade, lace, tweed, silk, leather. I have all these textures in black, and most in dark blue too.

Gigi

Veteran

Haven't read all the responses yet, so sorry if I'm repeating anything...

Maybe focus on tops that have some textural interest (like a ribbed turtleneck) and wear some bottoms that have some kind of interesting detail, like released hems. Add some jewelry: large pendant, big earrings, brooch, bangle.

Actually, today I wore a denim jacket under my puffer and didn't find it uncomfortable. Do you think looking at lighter-weight toppers would help? (My outfit today was a dark-gray ribbed turtleneck, cropped flares, dark brown snowboots, and a statement heart-shaped pendant.)

The other day I made an outfit that would probably be considered a column of color. I wore a medium-gray midi skirt with a dark-gray sweater that had a cute dog on it. The sweater had a band at the bottom, which added some structure. The two grays (the sweater and the skirt) were very similar but not identical. The dog was very colorful, so the outfit was anything but boring!

gryffin

Veteran

TG - sorry this is not warm weather specific but I think this is a great article on ways to approach minimalist dressing that can be modified for the season. http://www.whowhatwear.com/how.....ll/slide11

RobinF

Veteran

This is a great question, I also struggle with the third layer in warmer seasons. I tend to go with a print piece instead of a column of solid color, although I like to keep the colors tonal. I also don't like to wear jackets under coats, I have tried but I find myself always going back to my cardigans. But I do wear scarves almost year round and try for interesting jewelry, especially necklaces. I often end up taking off my scarf (thank you menopause!) and then it's nice if I am wearing a necklace. Some great ideas above!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

In very cold weather, I gravitate towards stretch knit layers, with a zip-up cardigan as my topper, underneath a jacket or coat. Or I will wear several thinner layers under a heavier blazer, and I balance out the loss of warmth in not wearing a proper coat, by adding high-denier tights, plus a warm hat + scarf + gloves when I venture outside.

So I haven't really answered your question, because I do lots of layering. But I try and keep everything comfortable and easy to move in, indoors and outdoors.

Aaaand... I'm in Atlanta, not Canada. All of this is simpler when it's 35F out, as opposed to colder temps.

In very hot weather (90+ degrees), the party happens with accessories: shoes, bag, earrings, statement ring. I will wear a statement bracelet or necklace, if it doesn't feel 'hot' against the skin, or too heavy in weight.

My grandma gave me a necklace that is rough turquoise, and it's heavy, but the stones are cool against the skin, so I find I reach for that a lot in high summer. Natural stones seem to keep their coolness.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Helena, if you're talking about indoors - do you mean at home or out and about?

Helena

Veteran

Angie, there's the rub I think, and I should have specified better ... I work from home mostly, so I think I had that in mind. Definitely if I was in the office everyday, I'd do a better job with blazers, etc. So the challenge is really balancing practicality with my desire to look smart even if I and the family are the only audience!
Thank you EVERYONE for the wonderful suggestions in the thread. Xx

Barbara Diane

Veteran

We’re having weeks of summer weather in the middle of winter. Yesterday I wore a column of black with a black, red and white lightweight scarf.
I also love jewelry, necklaces of all thicknesses and lengths, one or layered, bracelet(s), ring(s), a watch.

Lynn

Veteran

Thanks for posting this Torontogirl. I have no other suggestion but the responses have been very helpful!