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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Your choice of colour?

Eirlys

For many years I have "simplified" dressing by adopting a uniform : light coloured tops/blouses ; black trousers/skirts ; cardigan/jacket : usually black.

Everything "goes" with everything but my husband has started asking if I am going to a funeral when I turn up in yet another black/white outfit.

I don't make New Year resolutions as a rule but this year I have decided to add COLOUR to my wardrobe. Although I am 88, or perhaps because I am 88, I need some colour in my wardrobe, and in my life.

I love jade green: turquoise: certain shades of red and I have now purchased cardigans in these shades. Here in the UK cardigans could almost be part of our National Costume! They are so useful under jackets, or on their own. I have also started looking at jackets, particularly jackets by Gerry Weber and Missoni as both have unusual patterns and colour combinations.

Is there someone reading this who has made a similar vow? I'd love to see your colour choices, please. as I do need a little help.

Dressing

38 replies

Latest reply was from Eirlys

taylor

Veteran

I love how at 88 you are taking charge of the “color” in your life .
I am a bit younger at 61 but I am still in my uniform and neutral mode!:)
For some reason wild bright colors and crazy pattern just makes me feel totally out of my skin ! Not that I don’t love color , and as I mentioned On the blog Tiffany Blue is a color that works well as an accent in my home and I am always drawn rather calmly to it.

Perhaps when I am in my 80’s I too will embrace color like you are!
I would love to see you post some photos of your style journey with color !

Helena

Veteran

I agree with Taylor, I'd love to see some photos if you felt comfortable! I think with your black and light outfit base, you could add any color you fancied ... since you mention jade, turquoise and red, I am guessing that the jewel-tones are more up your alley, so why not consider a few more perhaps magenta, sapphire, or emerald? You could experiment with scaves, purses or shoes in different colors too. I'm not familiar with Gerry Weber but pattern sounds like a great idea too. Have fun playing with some new colors!

Sal

Veteran

Welcome! I agree - wear some clear colours. My favourites are red and jade green and turquoise and I am going to try wear them more. I do like neutrals as well though.

Cardigans are extremely useful- layered or alone. I especially like them as the seasons change.

Anonymous

Team color chiming in and am all in favor! I love Missoni combinations That being said, I've always worn a lot of color, since my own coloring is warm and deep. As long as the colors have something in common-brightness/softness , warmth/coolness, level of darkness- all are fair game!

Runcarla

Veteran

My method is to have a core of neutrals (blue, white, black) a signiture colour (red), a choice metal (silver), a choice leather (cognac) then to experiment with colours by introducing 4 items in the colour of the season that captures my fancy. That way I can 'audition' the colour (mix it with my neutrals,or other colours.). If I like it, I can keep adding more items with that colour. If it doesn't work out, well, 4 items isn't a big loss. Also, I'm not too strict or rules driven - I will mix metals (gold with the silver), I have leather items in colours other than cognac, etc.

I do find that working with a restricted palette adds some cohesiveness to my mix and match wardrobe. It also keeps me focused when I shop, because I am less distracted by colours not on my current list.

Don't rule out patterns that combine colours. They will be a way to liven up your existing black and white neutrals. Missoni would be fabulous for colourful patterns.

I'm 58 and recently retired.

Pic 1 - last year's palette. I am in the process of updating it. I use paint chips, but have used clippings from magazines in the past. The pinks were added in spring 2016, green in fall 2016, wine in 2017, tan and olive in 2018. I haven't built up the pink capsule, I have added to the wine and green/olive capsules. Tan wasn't successful. (I'm pondering if a warmer camel might be worth a trial?). I maintain the neutrals, and always look for an opportunity to add red and silver!

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texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Wondering what color your eyes are and thinking you might want to add that color into your wardrobe along with (or maybe as one of) the others mentioned. Jade green I find esp. beautiful and lively. More unexpected than red maybe.

karen13

Veteran

Hello and welcome back! I had very little process to my color choices when I started following YLF a few years ago. For the past 3 years I embraced navy as my neutral, tried to cut back on grey and black, and discovered a love of burgundy. Last year I branched out to to add some lighter tones for summer, and uncovered an interest in raspberry and other saturated pinks - which I had shunned since my childhood as a strawberry blond tomboy. I'm now getting some rich green tones, from emerald to hunter.

I don't have a disciplined palette like many of the YLFers, but I also am wanting to learn what will play well with my existing closet and expand my options. One thing I will try is looking at the color combos in the Vivian Files for new to me combinations. http://www.theviviennefiles.com
And trying to be be more open minded - perhaps starting when B&M shopping; how hard is it to hold up a new color and check the mirror?

JAileen

Veteran

I used to wear all earth tones. My neutrals were olive, brown and tan. But when I went grey, I discovered grey was a good color for me. Then I went on a trip and took only grey and blue and really loved how easy it was putting together outfits. So I limited my future purchases to grey, blue and olive. In the past year I’ve added pale pink. Also, I haven’t been quite so strict about my colors, but the vast majority of my wardrobe is grey, blue, with some olive and pink.

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I think that the older I get the more drawn to colour I am.As I m fading it gives me the colour I ve lost.Love most clear medium bright colours.So I would say go for it and welcome in a colourful New look fir the New Year.

Bijou

Veteran

I like to wear colour! I found Angie's posts on how to add a new colour into my wardrobe very useful. Here are some of the articles that I liked, but if you look in Archives under "colour" you will find more:
https://youlookfab.com/2018/04.....ng-summer/
https://youlookfab.com/2017/11.....ll-winter/
https://youlookfab.com/2017/09.....nd-winter/

So following Angie's lead I added lilac to my wardrobe in 2018 and have loved it - these are the items that I added. Some only had a slight touch of lilac in the pattern, others were entirely this colour. My bag has become quite the signature piece for me and I often get comments on its pretty colour.

I say start with a colour that you love and add it in an accessory. Last summer I bought the bag and the dress with the black panels. I then added the scarf and the gold velvet dress in winter. In spring I purchased the chiffon dress with lilac in the print and then this summer I bought the solid lilac dress and knit. So my collection has grown slowly. I love this colour, but now feel I have it covered.

I also like orange - but in smaller does. I often wear these orange shoes with neutrals and let the shoes be a fun element - so you don't need a collection to enjoy a particular colour. I say start small and then build on it is a good way to go.

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Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I agree with you on cardigans! Having just moved from a place where even a lightweight cotton cardi was often too warm to a 4-season climate, I've enjoyed wearing them again.

I'm moving in the opposite direction from you. I've never been much of a neutrals-wearer--wore all black sometimes when I lived in Berlin for a couple years, use black and white as a foil for colors and patterns, used to use khaki, camel & co similarly, but generally have had a lot of color. In the past couple years, I've been less interested in certain colors and found myself inextricably attracted to black and white pattern. I posted style goals a couple days ago, for the first time ever. I plan to focus on one color group--berry colors, worn mostly together in tonally matched outfits, and brights with black and white patterns. Would those strategies work for you?

I would not want to slow you down or hold you back, but you could start by wearing black with with a patterned piece, jacket or something else, that has black and one of the colors of your new tops in the pattern. As you become more comfortable with color, you'd swap the black out for the colored top. You might also like black and white pattern, much too lively for a funeral, especially if you add a colorful accessory. I've posted WIWs combining each of these b/w patterns with color. Brooklyn is a master at mixing multiple black and white patterns in one outfit and posted several such outfits about a year ago.

Wishing you and your husband a great new year together, with much color and joy.

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Sisi

Veteran

For 2019 I want to add more white and light colours to my wardrobe.

I have been wearing black and a lot of blue all my life - blue suits me and is an easy neutral but oh how fed up I am with it!

I also like the same colours that you mention and I would be very happy if I could find something in these shades.

lyn67

Veteran

I love monochromatic (esp bl&w) outfits but I hear you and fullheartedly agree!!!! Angie is the best in colors, yep, but you surely did already know that! My adive is find a pattern in colors you like, so start from there adding new pieces (of plain or new patterned clothes) and wear them together! Second advice is choose another neutral than black. (Navy, grey, beige, or white- for ex, all are lovely-as black can be harsh with color, and needs serious experience to make it well with a lighter complexion...-oh, excuse-me-but I don't know yours:-)).

Lieselotte Kander

(website)

You are 88 that doesn't mean that you are being restricted to wear any colour. You should wear whatever you want to wear.

The Cat

Veteran

Great to hear that at 88 you are still open to evolve your style, and I love to hear that you are adding colour to your wardrobe. As a bonus, colours might add joy to both your and your husband's life!

As for myself, I need non-neutral colours to feel happy and to look healthy and my best. But I also need neutrals to feel grounded, safe and balanced. So my solution is to include at least one neutral and at least one non-neutral colour in every outfit.

Tip: An easy way to add colour to outfits is wearing scarves.

Joy

Veteran

I am 72 and have found that if I have a column of a neutral it works to easily add a color or pattern to it. I would suggest a dark neutral and a light one...a bottom piece ( pants and/or a skirt) and top (sleeve length can be long or short or one of each to extend the season.). You could wear one of your cardigans or jacket as a topper. Dark neutrals could be black, dark brown, charcoal grey or navy or even olive or burgundy. Light neutrals can be useful if you want to add pastels or brights. They could be a shade of white, pale grey, tan, or blush. You can go on to add a scarf or jewelry, bag and shoes in neutrals or colors. Don't forget metallics. They can be fun.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I find that patterns that mix neutrals and colors are so easy to slot into an existing wardrobe. They add color but you don’t have to think too much because they go with most neutrals.

Eirlys

It is four months since I posted my question and I have only now read advice/hints/comments/answers left by you lovely people.

This because I have had very little time to access my PC and I do apologise for this. I have become a carer.

Colour has added something to my days. Black is still my basic neutral but this Summer I shall invest in navy blue. I know this is a tricky colour as there are so many shades of navy but it will be fun finding and correlating them.

I have green eyes and love all shades of green, particularly jade. This Spring I impulsively went for cobalt blue and, to my surprise, was told by two people I should wear that colour more often! It's a colour I have never considered in the past but will now do so!!

Here is a photograph ,taken about six weeks ago, where I am wearing that cobalt blue cardigan !!

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Eirlys

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Kathie

Veteran

Beautiful color on you! Jade green would be a lovely addition, too.

RD

Oh, that cobalt blue is stunning on you ! You can and should definitely wear color close to your face

Anonymous

Seconding RD!

RobinF

Veteran

Also love that color on you! Keep experimenting with color!

nemosmom

Veteran

WOW! That blue brightens your face! I could definitely see you in jade and other jewel tones!

Staysfit

Veteran

Cardigans are a great way to add color to your wardrobe. You may want to consider trying some scarves. It sounds like they would coordinate easily with your current wardrobe and be a safe way to test out new colors before making a larger investment.

The Cat

Veteran

You look wonderful in cobalt blue! I guess you look great in red, too.

Runcarla

Veteran

Well! You are lovely! I think you could wear many colours up close to your face. I'm thinking olive would suit - with a scarf that has navy and gold in it.

taylor

Veteran

Thank you for posting your photo !
You look fabulous in your cobalt blue, yes it’s a wonderful color to add with your neutrals

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You look fantastic in that color! Wonderful resolution!

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