Need a vote on fabric colors - YouLookFab Forum

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Need a vote on fabric colors

catgirl

Veteran

So Jem pointed me to this FANTASTIC site where the owner has already responded to my millions of questions. I'm down to two fabric colors, the medium grey or the black/white/navy (which she describes as "It shows as a heathered gray/black, with undertones of navy.").

Which would you prefer for me as being more edgy, versatile and still standing the test of time? I struggle with navy, but this seems to be more of a tweedy look. Both are wool crepe which the tailor suggested. TIA!

https://www.gorgeousfabrics.co.....wool+crepe

Yay: Grey
Nay: b/w/navy

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from CocoLion

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I'm surprised that I like the b/w/navy more. I'm also not a big navy fan, but this fabric seems to have more textural interest or depth to it than the flat grey. I would vote for a deep charcoal grey if you have that option.

christieanne

Veteran

I would ask them to send you a swatch (or 6) so you can touch them and compare them to your blouses, etc. Seems like they should be able to do that since i assume fabric is not return-able?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I do recall sifting through hundreds of Canali swatches for the BF's blue suit this winter. It was good to have the fabric to hold up in different lighting, and to just touch the various fabrics and compare.

catgirl

Veteran

Good idea! Hopefully it won't be gone by the time I decide!

rachylou

Veteran

I find the grey kinda brackish in color...

Aida

Veteran

I'm not sure on which color, but wanted to point out that on my monitor the gray looks warm and the navy looks cool. You wear warm colors, yes?

catgirl

Veteran

Aida, I've never understood the warm/cool colors thing! KA-LUE-LESS!

It took me a while to figure out "brackish" but I think rachylou may be right.

Parsley

Veteran

I thought I was going to prefer the gray, but I like the black/white/navy from what I can tell from the online picture.

I agree with Christieanne that you should have them send you a few swatches. I'd be afraid to choose from just seeing it online.

catgirl

Veteran

Thanks, Parsley - I just e-mailed to ask if she would do that.

Aida

Veteran

I'm bad at telling who should wear warm/cool tones, but I know if a color is warm or cool when I see it Your last few WIWs look cool-toned to me, but clearly I was thinking you were warm. Hopefully someone better versed in this can give some input. I'm guessing the b/w/navy might work better for you; I wonder if the gray will be too mid-toned against your skin?

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, I'm a pretty clear "winter" though I wear some warm tones - so I guess that makes me, er, cool? This was helpful:

http://www.mineral-makeup-revi.....-Tone.html

I wear warm colors but more on the bottom!

Aida

Veteran

Hehe yes, clear winter is definitely cool (and cool-toned!) You're like my inverse! I'm Autumn with the ability to wear a some cool tones. OK so then I officially place my vote for the b/w/navy!

EDIT: Warm tones on the bottom makes sense; we generally try to wear our less flattering colors away from our face. I'm definitely warm, I took one look at those color charts and went YUMMMM out loud to the warm one heh.

EDIT 2: I do wear some of the colors in the the right columns in that cool chart though

sarah

Veteran

I vote for the navy, too, after double-checking with RL swatches.

velvetychocolate

Veteran

I vote for the black/white/navy combination, but also agree that it might not be a bad idea to get some swatches.

Very neat that you're going to get a custom-made suit tailored just for you!! I read your other thread, and I think that $500 is a really good deal. Not that I've ever done this myself, but a good suit can cost a lot more than $500 and the fact that your local tailor includes two fittings and is willing to let-out and/or take-in seams as needed after the fact? I don't know that you could beat this price, buying a suit off the rack, that then needs to be tailored anyway.

Have you considered having this tailor make you something simpler and less costly first before the suit, so as to get a good idea as to his/her skill level? What do you think of this idea? I know you've already asked for a quote on a suit, but ...how about making you a nice skirt or something first before you dive in on the suit? Just a thought.

In the meantime though, based on the online photos - I'd go for the black/white/navy mix in terms of fabric and colour.

I'm really looking forward to reading about how it all turns out, so please do tell-all when it comes to what this process is like

K. Period.

Veteran

So, I would definitely look at swatches. What will it matter to you that you saved $100 on fabric if you have a $500 suit that you won't wear? I'd feel pinned down if I bought the fabric and I know that I'd try to make it work. Good money after bad. Also, look in your closet and see what colors you wear the most. Something like the mid-gray? Or something like the tweed colors? (BTW, this is so much fun! Thanks for letting us in on your experience!)

Sona

Veteran

looks like b/w/navy is winning. I voted for that too!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I like the black/white/navy for you also. I am no color expert but would definitely say you are cool

ManidipaM

Veteran

I think the great thing about anything tweedy is that you can use other colours to emphasize one cast over the others as you please.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Is a pinstripe out of the question?

catgirl

Veteran

Angie, nothing is out of the question! I can continue to look - nothing has been ordered yet. I am trying to decide if I'm a pinstripes kind of gal... I think I need to go to the store and see samples to visualize.

Anonymous

If I'm looking at the correct grey, the medium grey, it is the same basic color as the black/white/navy. No cooler or warmer. I wonder if some people are looking at the taupe that is to the right of the black/white/navy sample?

In any case I like the texture of the black/white/navy for you. Gorgeous. A pinstripe might be cool too (Angie would know)!

Jonesy

Veteran

My monitor must be the same make as Claire's--I see what she is seeing. Both look like almost blue-ish gray tones.

I third or fourth the idea of getting multiple swatches sent to you. Love the idea of looking into a pinstripe too. You just might fall in love with a particular fabric once it's in your hands, or fall out of love with one.

This is so exciting!

AJ

Veteran

Una, along the lines as to which fabric might play better with what you already have and love to wear, I made some collages for you.

I wasn't sure if you kept that Asos jacket in #5, but I think it looks FAB!

This post has 5 photos. 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.

Jem

Veteran

I like the idea of a pinstripe, too. Or at least something a little unique. What about these:

http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com.....s_id=14158
http://www.gorgeousfabrics.com.....s_id=11947 (I don't know about the acetate in it, though. I like the pattern in it, but that may not wear as well)
http://emmaonesock.com/fabrics.....s48558.asp, although this one is plain, too.
http://www.fabricmartfabrics.c.....html--just kidding, this one is a little expensive

OK, try these:
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-.....black.aspx
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-.....-blue.aspx
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-.....-grey.aspx
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-.....-grey.aspx
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-.....-grey.aspx

I've ordered a bunch of times from Fabric.com. You never know what they will have and are always getting new things in. The quality is hit and miss, so you could order swatches and then take them to your dressmaker. These are all 100% wool, so they could be perfect and they have pinstripes. You can always find at least a 15% off coupon and they have free s/h after 35.00. (That's all for now... lol)

Marley

Veteran

Oh my gosh AJ - those collages are great!!!! What a nice thing to do! AND - they only confirm what my initial instinct was - the black/white/navy. On my monitor the medium gray looks much warmer than the black/white/navy. Can't wait to see this all come together for you Una!

Scarlet

Veteran

I think the b/w/n looks more neutral. The medium gray is a very particular tone somehow that I think could cause you to trouble. Obviously I am still rooting for pinstripe though because it has the edgy/conservative thing going on that you want.

rae

(website)

Veteran

The med gray looks too warm. If those are the choices, I'd do the bwn. But I still like the idea of charcoal.

catgirl

Veteran

OMG, AJ - that is the coolest thing ever! I need to learn how to do that...

I'm going to order the swatches. No sense being in a rush, as Julie wisely said. If I'm going to get this done, I need to make the perfect choices. You all are so much more observant than me about color tones and such!

THANK YOU!

Vix

Veteran

I responded over on your other thread along the same lines (don't rush your fabric choice, get samples). Esp as I'm still waving my pom-poms for pinstripes.

I'll put it out here that I think you should try some RTW jackets on in colors that are close to what you're thinking. You may have them in your closet!

Let's see you in greys, because I still think with your coloring it better be the darkest charcoal out there or black. [I would be all for other colors, but am assuming you want this to be your "Court Suit" too.]

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