The Closet by Color - YouLookFab Forum

The last time I posted a photo of my closet was after the burglars had dumped everything in a pile on the floor.

For years I have arranged my closet by garment type, from lighter weight short-sleeved tops, to cotton sweaters, then heavier wool things, then cardis and finally jackets. After I wear something I put it on the right end of the section for that type, so that I do rotate items depending on weather.

After reading some of the closet threads I tried an experiment: I lined up tops by color instead. The result below surprised me. I go from purple-plum tones, to dark reds and reds, navy and dark blues, black, gray, then beige (with lots of black in the design) and cream. There is one gold polka dot item, and one olive-gray. (I don't feel right in clear red anymore.)

I have put away most of my warmer sweaters--but they are mostly blue and black with a couple of forest greens.

My summer things (still in guest room) show white jeans--I do hope they will fit--and some brighter colors, along with a cognac leather jacket I won't be wearing again until fall.

The shock to me is: where's the brown? Not much there. As my hair color has changed I have been moving away from brown towards more gray, which I have rarely liked to wear. I don't show my shoes, but a lot of them are medium browns (reflecting my original hair color) but I have a couple of pair of gray I recently bought. And my purple booties. Coats are black, deep eggplant, and one rusty orange that I've worn once this year.

I don't like to wear green or lighter blues, but my favorite jewelry is green tourmaline, peridot, and green onyx.

When I was younger and lived in So Cal I wore much brighter colors--and after diagnosed as a Spring--Autumn--Soft Autumn I felt like I "ought" to buy more color. Now I just want to buy what I like to wear.

Still not sure about wearing gray, but I keep finding great tops in light gray.
I'm still pondering what all this means, but it is a revelation of sorts to me.

1 & 2--tops I'm wearing now
3 bottoms
4 summer stuff
5 recent buys not worn: BR aqua sweater, gray VC top, BR blue/white blazer

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11 years ago

abc

Veteran

How do you like organized by color vs your previous way? I do what you used to do. By light to heavy, sleeveless to short to long sleeves, etx, with no regard to color. I'm wondering what my closet would look like if I redid mine like your new color coded way.

My colors are a lot like yours. Hardly no brown. Lots of eggplant and berry colors. Some brights for summer.

Thx for the inspiration. Curious if you prefer one way or the other and why.

unfrumped

Good job! I recently lined things up by color in order to see what had evolved, and enjoyed the mix and palette that I was achieving. Now am re-aligning by weight (for weather temps) with the cool spring sweaters in the easiest-to-reach rod and the next-up lighter weights and blouses nearby.
I really prefer the visual of the color lineup, with bands of colors, but for dressing purposes, it's quicker if I have the most seasonally-appropriate items right in front of my eyes.

rabbit

I'm struck by all the stripes and micro-patterns, and how cohesive it all is. I have many of the same color families. I think it might make sense to organize my closet this way, since when I reach in for something, I'm always looking for an item of a particular color, sometimes the arm length or whether it's a light sweater or a knit top doesn't matter particularly, or I'm willing to try a few different gray tops out with the bottoms I've picked or something.

Lisa

Lovely color palette here. And this looks like a nice mix of prints too.

carter

Gotta love it. I organize by color too, but I have to separate into categories first. I have several small sections in my closet rather than one long stretch like you have. So pretty!

JAileen

Your closet is beautiful. I'm very impressed by how tidy and attractive it is. The color scheme of your clothes is lovely, too.

I went grey last year ( my hair is nearly white in front) and started buying grey and pewter shoes, boots, sweaters, and a leather jacket. I still have a lot of brown and beige and khaki but I don't like them as much. Even cream, an old standby, doesn't look very good anymore.

MRL

I typically organize my clothes by season (except for the items like jeans and workout wear that are not moved), but within each season I am considering organizing by color. I think I have a pretty good idea of what I'll see. I have noticed that as I have ages, I am finding myself saying no to a lot of colors that I used to wear.
I like the way your closet looks!

Kristin L

I love it!

Carla

Sorted by colour about a year ago, and haven't gone back. I find it more conducive to changing up outfits and thinking about my clothes differently. Due to small wardrobe, everything is together with exception of coats, which are in a downstairs closet.

You have a lovely palette of colours Ms. Maven.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Interesting. I never thought about organizing by color across categories. I can see how it would create some new associations. I've always sorted by type, and then by color.

fuzzylogic

So organised and so many gorgeous prints!

Guilty- I organise by colour! Mostly because it's just so darn pretty to look at!

Perhaps you are naturally evolving into a cooler palette, MsMaven?

Anonymous

Beautiful closet.

Beth Ann

Great experiment! It looks like you have an even mix of colors to neutrals, and your colors are harmonizing together beautifully. Your text indicates that the color aspects of your wardrobe are in transition. I think wearing colors that make you happy is a good way to start. It might be a good time to try on lots of neutrals to see how they work on you today. I've recently come to the conclusion that charcoal grey is doable, but light grey, even when its "cool" is not flattering. I wish I'd done that experiment before I'd purchased a half-dozen grey items!

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