WIW - Embracing Neutrals - YouLookFab Forum

So I've been slowly purging over the last few months and realized that I had (inadvertently) purged the majority of my colorful wardrobe items. They were items I wasn't reaching for because of the combination of bright color and more fitted styles. Now my wardrobe is ~80% neutrals with a few pops of jewel tones when used to be the other way around.

I've actually been really enjoying my more neutral wardrobe and minimal outfits and feel it's where my style is headed, but I worry sometimes that I've gone too far from my years of brights and ALGO into boring territory. So I'd appreicate your thoughts and all comments/suggetions are welcome! Thanks for looking!

Outfit 1 - Worn to work and I defintiely got a few comments on the harem pants.
Eileen Fisher Harem pants, Old Navy tee, Naturalizer boots

Outfit 2 - Worn on weekend to run errands. I was inspired by Angie's black ankle pants and boots combo, but really wanted to wear these grey bf jeans. I barely wore these this summer but I'm reaching for them all the time to go with my fall sweaters.
Loft jeans, Old Navy tee and cardigan, Naturalizer boots, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag

Outfit 3 - Worn out to a night out with my girlfriends for a dessert buffet. I definitely wore the dress so I could comfortably eat way too much.
All Saints dress, Target leggings, Naturalizer boots

Outfit 4 - Worn to work and meetings. These are the jeans I got from Greyscale on the Style Exchange recently.
AG jeans from Greyscale, JCrew sweater, Danier moto, Easy Spirit loafers, Longchamp bag

Outfits 5/6 - Worn to work and to meet friends for coffee. This moto jacket was a spring wildcard and it's still going strong.
AG Nikki jeans, JCrew sweater, Naturalizer shoes, Danier moto, Marc by Marc Jacobs bag

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11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

My favourites are #1 & #3, the AS dress is fab.

rabbit

All of these work to my eye, but I really like 1, 2, and 3 and would happily copycat. LOVE the color of the yellow bag with these outfits.

frannieb

My favorites are #3 and #6. The dress is great. I also like the pop of color the yellow bag gives all the outfits.

Dee

Thanks caro, rabbit and frannie! The AS dress is my first ever purchase from them and I expect it to get a lot of wear this winter.

Rabbit, I'm always impressed by your dark, edgy outfits so I'm flattered you would copycat.

And I've learned that since I've limited my color palette, having a pop of color in my accessories ups my happiness factor significantly without going overboard on the brights.

Diana

I'm going to copy #3! We are dress twins (and I know Tanya and probably several others have this dress too...)

I also love #1. The harem pants are fab tucked into the moto boots, and I really like the scarf here. The proportions are really unusual - in the best possible way. I like how this looks edgy yet casual, easy, and comfortable.

catgirl

I have that dress too and am totally going to copy you. Also the harem pants in boots are fab. Great looks - hope you post more WIWs because we have lots of items in common, apparently!

Suz

(website)

I think you look really great in your neutrals, Dee. I especially love 1, 2, and 5/6. It looks as if along with neutrals, you are aiming for a slightly edgier look. It's working on you!

Anonymous

Your neutrals aren't remotely boring!

I really love the tree t-shirt in #2. And the outfits with the moto. And the AllSaints dress. (I sometimes choose outfits based on how comfy they'll be after overeating, too.) So, basically everything!

Elly

These are great-- I think you are striking a good balance between pairing basics with high interest neutrals with colorful acessories. I think I will come back to this thread for some inspiration, because you are wearing my black, grey and navy color pallette really well!

I think there is still plenty of color- burgundy, cognac, citron, and blush!

bj1111

You had me at neutrals.

MuseumGal

I don't think these are boring at all. Each outfit has one striking thing, which is a great way to go with a mostly neutral wardrobe.

Diana and Una, this forum has definitely made me buy a few lemming pieces. I'm excited to see your pics with the dress!

Suz, I am going for a bit of an edgier look! It's something I always like on others so we'll see how it goes.

Aubergine, I am a firm believer that you have to plan appropriately for anything involving a lot of food. So, basically all holidays and family events, in my life.

Elly, thank you so much! I've always worn a lot of grey but everything else it new to me over the last year. I was grouping cognac with the neutrals, so it's interesting to me that you place it with the colors.

BJ, thanks!

MuseumGal, I like the concept of one "striking" piece in each outfit. That's something to keep in mind so I don't end up too bored (or boring).

Deborah

Your outfits look stunning Dee. You won't get any arguments from me on wearing neutrals The harem pants and the AS dress are just fabulous! Each outfit has that little touch that makes them look super stylish.

Jaime

Great set. I really like how you transformed #5 with the moto and bag - I also like it with just the blue and cognac shoes.

jackiec

Oh my goodness not boring at all!! Yes, you are looking really edgy (I love that word, sorry ). The harem pants outfit is so cool. Love it. And love the hit of neon with that cross body. Amazing dress. Really really like all of your outfits. I'm more of a neutrals gal myself, so really appreciate these outfits with the fun hits of edgy.

You're definitely not boring in neutrals! That's an interesting shift, though, since it happened organically. I think my closet has a higher proportion of neutrals than it used to: I've gotten really into mixing them into different combinations. Although I love colours too of course!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

All are great, and I love the AS dress.

tulle

All of these look great, but that dress & leggings combo could really be a signature look for you. Adorable.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Dee, I love these looks on you. Specifically, I like the way you go for an arty statement piece in a neutral (harem pants, cool tee in 2, AllSaints dress, interestingly shaped sweater in 5/6) and then support it with nice quality yet quiet pieces and a little bit of well-placed color (citron bag, burgundy bag, cognac loafers). You have a great sense of style. The only outfit that seems a little less inventive than the others is #4. It reads as more classic (not boring, just a different feel than the others).
I gravitate back and forth between neutral-heavy wardrobe and wearing more colors. Who knows? You may find yourself adding in more color as you find just the right items in colors you like.

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