Neutral Wardrobes - YouLookFab Forum

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Neutral Wardrobes

Anonymous

Sonce's, Jen's, and StyleFan's comments about neutral wardrobe were interesting. Without realizing it, I am leaning toward wanting an all SOLID wardrobe comprised of neutrals (with hints of fuchsia). I think it is the "soothing" and "calming" aspects of a wardrobe built around neutrals that just feels so right to me.

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Sal

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I also wear a lot of neutrals and solids with just a hint of pattern. I don't reach for the patterns nearly as often so I limit my buying accordingly. I will wear subtle stripes, a few plaids and even a couple of florals (but the florals in particular are quite limited for me and I'm not sure I would add more). My other colors do include green, burgundy and some deeper pink but I seem to wear navy, white, charcoal and olive more often. I also feel these to be more calming to me.

Anonymous

Well, now you have me rethinking my earlier statement. I love stripes and plaids. I have a few in my existing wardrobe. I adore florals. In fact, I would be hard pressed to find a floral I did not immediately adore.

Yet, I'm not feeling the pattern or much color at this instant in my style journey. I liked what Sonce said about neutrals being easier to build tight, resilient wardrobes. Perhaps that is what resonated with me.

delurked

Veteran

Sterling- I can see this in what you pick. I think you find this soothing and uncluttered. Classic, professional, and the silhouettes help keep it all modern. A pop of fuchsia for added joy. I’m wondering if that’s why those gap print pants ultimately didn’t feel right. You also need your smaller wardrobe to be as cohesive and versatile as possible.

I am drawn to neutral wardrobes on Pinterest, but IRL or in the stores I seek print (NOT stripes or plaids, mostly florals) and color for myself. The all neutral palette is for my fantasy body and life that doesn’t actually exist. I’ve added more supporting neutral pieces that were lacking, but I’m guessing you could agree that’s not what you see when I post a WIW.

I think we should all build a palette that feels right to us.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GO WITH YOUR FEELINGS, Sterling. There is no substitute.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Delurked speaks wisdom!

There's sometimes a difference between what we enjoy looking at and what we truly enjoy wearing. I enjoy looking at all kinds of prints and colours. They make me genuinely happy. They lift my heart! But in practice I find that some prints have longevity and durability in my closet, while I'll tire more quickly of others.

I also enjoy the calm of neutrals and solids. When undergoing stress I often enjoy dressing predominantly in neutrals. But eventually, I feel restless and bored. I need the dynamism of sharply broken up contrast. And I crave colour!

Patterns in my own key neutrals are a kind of bridge between the restfulness of neutral and the dynamism of pattern. For me, that means blue and white and mostly geometrics.

bj1111

Veteran

No quarrel here. I do enjoy a print made up of neutral colors like French stripes or b&w/navy&white gingham or cream and black floral. I keep colors limited to accessories except for an exceptional emerald beaded evening top.

Joy

Veteran

Neutral outfits seem right for you, Sterling. Go with it.
If you want a print, how about sticking with a simple one all in neutral colors like black and grey or white and navy?

Gigi

Veteran

I really love solids also, and they are a huge part of my wardrobe. In general, I don't go for patterns unless I'm buying a dress--I like quite a bit of detail in my outfits, and it is hard to get enough detail in a solid-color dress. I also buy patterned scarves, because they seem to look less bulky on me.

Oh, and I love my leopard print!

Liesbeth

Veteran

I’m with suz: love wearing neutrals but then suddenly I get bored and crave some color (currently poppy red). My neutral patterns of preference are very classic though: tartan, pied de poule, polka dot...
I don’t know your wardrobe, if you feel like adding only neutrals go for it, bur I’d hesitate in purging too many colors and prints just in case you also get bored once you’re really on the neutral train.

Michell

(website)

I like owning sportswear of from https://www.windowshopcafe.com/ They comes from different colors to and fits perfectly! Cheers!

Style Fan

Veteran

I love warm earthy neutrals and always have. I rarely wear colours outside of my neutral palette. I do have a small number of printed pieces in my wardrobe and they are almost all paisley or paisley like.

I don't get bored of my colour palette but it has evolved over the years.

3style

Veteran

I tend towards a lot of what I think of as “neutral patterns.” I didn’t know how to describe it very well until recently, until I reread Angie’s post about the four wardrobe item categories made me realize that I like a lot of completer pieces type patterns, and tend to favor that kind over statement patterns. I do have a very few statement patterns, but I’m more of a statement jewelry person. For this “neutral pattern “ besides the common stripes and so forth, I’m thinking of things like this Boden top that Angie included in her list of neutrals.

Kristie Broderie Top

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13

Anonymous

I am a big neutral fan. Except for a couple of striped tees , one very old print blouse and 2 funky winter plaid blazers patterns and prints are in my scarves. Makes making outfits easy since I am totally incompetent at mixing prints and patterns.

cindysmith

Veteran

I love a bright paisley or floral print. I just don't love wearing them. I also love bright colors, but don't reach for them very often in my closet. Something inside me just responds to a soothing neutral palette the same way it responds to wide open fields where nothing blocks my view for miles and miles; I find such inner calm from both of those things.

The desire for neutrals in my wardrobe has become more pronounced since we started finishing the interior of the house, perhaps because I've got so many pops of bright colors that make my heart giggle on display in my new home (pics coming soon, I still have some clutter to deal with and a few unfinished projects)

I'm sitting here this morning, angry at myself for letting laundry get so backed up that the only outfit I have to wear (that's weather appropriate) is blue with pops of acid yellow. I'm with going to have to sweat my buns off in neutrals at the flea market today, or wear blue & acid yellow LOL

3style

Veteran

Cindy,
If I’m remembering correctly, you like a lot of silver toned items. Am I remembering right? Maybe in future you can try some more cool soothing interesting colors like mint and soft sage greens, lilacs and periwinkle? I think that there are ways to make those colors read more edgy and less preppy.

Penny

Veteran

Go for it if that’s how you feel! I have transitioned to mostly solid neutrals (with some watercolor prints that I primarily wear on weekends), often with a wine-red handbag, and have been reveling in the ease and simplicity.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Sooooo, this is what I'm wearing RIGHT NOW:

INK striped jumper (it's cold today)
BLACK high rise skinnies
White accents
A touch of blush

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Madewell 10-Inch High-Rise Skinny Jeans

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14

Banana Republic

Sailor Stripe Boat-Neck Pullover

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13

Halogen Skinny Leather Belt

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4

SARTO By Franco Sarto 'Jolette' Penny Loafer

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55

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jussie

Veteran

Hmm I’ve always been strongly drawn to print. However since I’ve been consciously planning my wardrobe holistically, I’ve realized the importance of great neutrals and solids. Gosh, today I’m even wearing a solid coloured scarf- something I never would have even considered in the past.

The Cat

Veteran

Interesting how different we all are.

Sterling, I often feel a similar need for "soothing" and "calming", and white/offwhite and shades of grey work for me. However, I couldn't live without colours--I crave a doze of colour every day, at least in a scarf or a shawl. Otherwise, I would feel kind of depressed.

Combinations that I find especially "soothing" and "calming" and at the same time uplifting are white + grey + either turquoise, blue or light purple.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

This seems backwards, but I find I gravitate towards neutrals in the summer, but in the winter I like adding in a dose of color and pattern. I think it has to do with wanting balance. There’s a lot going on out there in the summertime and I don’t feel the need to add to the chaos.

Bijou

Veteran

Jenn - I think I am a bit like you. When it is cold and dark in winter, I like wearing brights as the colour makes me feel happier. When it is sunny and warm, well the day is bright, so I don't feel that I need to be.

I used to have a mainly neutral wardrobe. I liked it, and felt understated and stylish - but it did not really feel fun to me. So since joining YLF (so about 3 years...) I have added colour to my wardrobe and enjoy my outfits. However, sometimes it is nice to retreat back to lovely neutrals.

Sal

Veteran

I have mostly added neutrals this winter

- black dress x 2
- black pants x 1
- black and white patterned items x 3
- ink blue boots
- ink blue bag
- toffee sweater
- light grey/blue blazer
- blush beanie

The last three you could argue are neutral or colours...

I could never do all neutrals - I do like pattern in particular.

I think adding mostly neutrals with some carefully chosen colours can be smart and successful though - sometimes it can be as simple as one top in a colour though.... or a complement of a top and matching shoes.