Not Feeling Neutral
I am a neutral lover thru and thru. Yes, if you’ve been here a while you know that I’m also that woman who had no less than 4 virtual color analyses last year. Obsessive? Yes. I was curious to test the viability of virtual analysis, (not very accurate) and looking to try new colors. Throughout the process, I did discover colors I’ve never worn before that I’ve wholeheartedly embraced and they happen to be, you guessed it, neutrals. Today I’m chatting about wearing colors you love.
Related – Personal Color Analysis: Is It For You?
There’s no question that color lifts our spirits but I’m seldom drawn to an outfit with color the way I am by an outfit made up of neutrals. It’s a personal preference for me, but it’s also part of my personal style recipe. I find neutrals elegant in a way that I don’t find colors and elegance is a big part of my style formula.
While walking the seawall in False Creek yesterday, I passed a young man dressed in a camel overcoat, gray crewneck sweater, deep navy pants, and black shoes. I tried to not stare but don’t think I succeeded because he gave me the stink eye:) The color combo was arresting in its simplicity and totally inspiring to me.
As always, you can click the red text for more info and to shop the item.
I looked down and realized my dog walking outfit, wasn’t that far off the mark. It wasn’t anywhere as crisp because my jeans were a mid-wash and my sneakers were…well, sneakers. The neutrals were similar but the entire effect was downplayed by texture and saturation of the colors.
I ditched the sneakers and heavier jacket when the weather got milder but that did little to add polish to my look because of the faded denim and rustic suede booties.
Now I’m thinking about what I have in my wardrobe at home to recreate his outfit. I think I have a lot and it will be dead simple. Have you ever used a man’s outfit as inspiration to create a look for yourself?
Wearing Colors You Love
Our personal style recipe needs to feel authentic. Forcing ourselves to wear a style, shape, or color simply because it’s in our pallet or “flattering” can be a recipe for disaster. The colors that flatter our personal coloring is only part of your style equation. Pay attention to your instinct and wear what resonates with how you want to feel. If you’re tagged a bright spring but prefer to wear quiet colors that don’t draw attention, listen to yourself and dress for your comfort level.
That said, I have an in-person color analysis scheduled for Saturday and another one scheduled in January. Both practitioners are trained in the Sci-Art method which I’ve long been a big fan of. We can stab in the dark doing a color analysis online, but to see your skin react, you must be draped in person. I’ll let you know how it goes. To be honest, the only season I would be surprised to be typed at this point is a winter because I’ve been called everything else…several times.
One final note…I was shopping yesterday, big surprise, and a saleslady oohed and awed over how a canary yellow coat looked on me. Her exact words were, “oh, that’s your color!”. In truth, I looked sick as a dog in that yellow and she has no clue what she’s talking about. Her opinion is just that, an untrained opinion so beware of where compliments come from. Listen to your instincts. How do you feel in the shape and color? Is it sending the message you want to be associated with you?
Thanks for reading my ramblings this morning ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident because that’s all that matters.
Of course, I immediately went to my closet and lay those clothes out on my bed. I do love neutrals but I’m finding as I get older I really need the blue or pink or some light color in a top that reflects upon my face. The only neutrals that look good next to my face now are light navy or white. I consider burgundy a neutral in my wardrobe so it looks good.
I agree with you Jennifer. I also think that our color pallet can change as we age and our skin and hair tone changes.
To be honest, I love seeing you in brighter colours. Ive noticed you in paler colours and Im not sure they are your best colours. But Im no expert.
I love Sage green as a neutral color.
Yellow is the most difficult color for me to wear, but when I find the right yellow, it’s magic.
I was typed as an autumn because of my red hair. That was wrong, and I knew it. I was correctly typed as a spring and wore the beautiful bright spring colors. These were the colors I loved as a child. Now I’ve moved to more of a spring/summer, as my hair and skin tones have changed over time. The brighter colors are a bit much now. I’ve always been able to wear silver and gold jewelry, but never the deepest gold. Black and navy aren’t my best looks, but I’ll wear them in combination with other colors. I don’t like to be boxed in. Clothing is like a painting. Every day we can create a new one.
You’ll find a lot of sharp-dressed people of both genders in Vancouver. As you know, it’s a fashion city. There’s the casual west coast look, too, and edgy, experimental style. Don’t forget vintage shopping while you’re there.
Just dropping in to say thank you, Jennifer, for the excellent recommendation of HB (Hair Biology) Thickening Treatment. It is amazing. I am always wary that hair products over promise and under deliver when it comes to thickening fine, thinning, post-menopausal hair. However, this one actually works. I ordered it (Target $9.99) after reading your review and have used it three times on my wet hair after washing. My hair is noticeably thicker after blow drying. Many thanks for mentioning it in your blog!
I tend to like sophisticated color combos also. Especially since now I am of a certain age. I do want to look dignified, but I also have fun with colors when it is summer at the beach. Or when I am with family, and when we are just hanging out, I tend to dress in plaids and flowers. I love your neutral color palate for this blog!
Could not agree with you more! I am drawn to neutrals like I’m never drawn to colors. I certainly wear colors, a pop here in a pop there, and they do make me happy but they don’t call me like neutrals do.
I had my colors done years ago by an artist. She thought I was a winter, and I found that to be very accurate–jewel tones, black and whites, olive greens and dark browns. I look washed out in pastels, except for lemon yellow, and horrible in oranges, golds, and the wrong tans. Everyone looks good in aqua. It’s skin tone, not hair color. It has made my shopping much easier.
Timely post as I’ve just started playing with combinations of neutrals that I used to keep separate…and I’m liking it! Camels and taupes used to go nowhere near greys in my world but combining them sure adds a bit more interest to my preferred non- patterned neutral wardrobe.
The saleswoman was trying to make a sale. It’s what they do.
Yup
As you pointed out (as far as color/clothes go) wear what makes you happy.
I avoided red for years because I was told by a “color consultant” it was not a good color for me.
Turns out red looks great on me if it’s the right shade. Compliments and photos of myself convinced me to wear red. Just look for the right shade.
I’m so glad you discovered your red! It’s a shame you were told you shouldn’t wear it.
Between menopause and retirement, I was faced with a closet full of clothing that either didn’t fit well or didn’t have a role in my current lifestyle. I became very interested in both color and body type analysis as tools to help me build a more cohesive and flattering wardrobe for this next phase of my life. I scoured the internet and used the many resources from both bloggers and vloggers as well as a critical assessment of what I do and do not feel good wearing to determine I am a soft autumn with a rectangle body type and classic style. This has really helped me to be more focused when shopping for clothing. By sticking to an autumn color palette and identifying the silhouettes that look good on me, I can quickly scan the racks for colors and styles that are most likely to work with my coloring and body type. Better yet, the pieces I do purchase are more likely to coordinate with the other pieces in my wardrobe, because I now have a harmonious color palette. I couldn’t bring myself to abandoned all my black (a previous mainstay of my wardrobe), even though it is not a very good color for me. I do try to avoid putting it near my face, but when I do, I try to temper it with a scarf, blouse or jacket in a more flattering color. My natural coloring is warm and muted, but I still enjoy wearing warm, bright colors (spring) when the weather is warmer. When I do, I have learned to brighten up my lipstick and accent my eyes to create more contrast so I don’t get “lost” behind my clothing. To my amateur, self-educated eye, when I look at your pictures I see a soft summer–cool and muted. I think that is why you are so drawn to blues–one of summers’ best colors. However, I appreciate your advice that we all should wear what makes us feel confident. Although we often recognize that intuitively, increased understanding of why certain clothes make us feel good and others don’t can be an invaluable tool in helping to rebuild or revise a wardrobe in an efficient way and avoid costly mistakes. BTW, as for using men as a style inspiration, another fashion vlogger, Audry Coyne, used Stanley Tucci as her style muse. The results were fabulous!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Kami. I love them. I suspect I sit somewhere between soft summer and soft autumn if you don’t consider my personality which is fairly strong and leans into spring territory. I have both warm and cool undertones so could be typed closer to neutral. Either warm neutral or cool neutral.
I rely on cosmetics as you do with colors I know to be overpowering. I am very anxious to not only hear what this colorist says but most important, look forward to watching it in the mirror.
Funny how we look at what suits us as we age and become, hopefully, wiser and more self assured.
I love colour, and have used it my art and interiors, but especially in my own clothing…mostly with longer tunic tops.
It just makes me happy, and confident if the colour(s) light up my hazel eyes, softer hair tones and lighter peachy complexion . As my shorter hair is now quite a natural mix of pale ash blonde, soft grey with a touch of very soft brown now at 71, I am seeing how much colour does make a difference. Pieces I wore and enjoyed even 3 years ago when my hair was longer( an experiment) aren’t quite right now.
Call me a spring/fall blend I suppose, since so many colours in that range do look good, and people remark on what I am wearing. It becomes quite obvious what pulls out the worst in my face, so they are all edited and donated.
That said, I do love soft neutrals too, and what a good scarf , earrings, or chunky necklace can do to pull everything together…think softer leopard print , or mixes of neutrals found in nature ( pebbles, leaves, faded beach glass ) . Well cut neutrals can look so stylish.
Isn’t it interesting, as we age, to find out more about ourselves!?
It is so interesting. I just love your observations, Cath!!
Since we live in the same area, would you be able to share who you are using for your two analyses? It will save me a trip to London! I think the results will be interesting as you don’t look as vibrant in some of these neutrals. But getting the right color palette is tough since every analyst seems to include different colors in any given “season”. Style wise, the coat/jacket, top, pants, loafer/boots is my go to because I’m a “less is more” kind of dresser.
Enjoying your blog!
Jennifer did you list the Sacramento sci/art consultant?
I will ask her if she minds me sharing. Please shoot me an email, Jan
Most of my wardrobe is neutral, and I build around those, adding color in tops/scarves etc. Have not had color analysis, but have learned what works mainly by how I feel in certain tones. Best advice is what you use to close your posts, wear what makes you feel confident!
I see color analysis as a fun tool. While I have learned black and white are not my best choices, they will never go completely away in my closet. There will always be a time and a place.
Very wise, Eleen. I never rule things out forever.
I think camel and grey are fabulous together and incredibly elegant. Ditto navy and black, a no-no for many years. I think the secret to making these combos go together is to be intentional in the tones, which you hinted at in your post. As in, I’d wear a very “camel” camel (not beige) with a charcoal (not washed out) grey; and I’d wear a saturated black with a bright navy. That way it signals it’s a bold choice, not just getting dressed without the closet light on :). I love menswear inspired looks and just bought some cashmere plaid scarves in the men’s department, as they were better quality and cheaper, with more sophisticated combos than were designed for women.
I love your observations, Linda. Thank you for sharing
Your yellow coat experience is common in stores as they are trying to make a sale. It is always refreshing to find a salesperson who gives honest opinions. I think people must be cautious with the colour analysts as well. It seems a number of bloggers have become ‘autumn and spring’ after having their colours done by an autumn or spring. It would be interesting to compare your 4 results with those who gave them. Perhaps it’s just that winters tend to know you’re a winter and don’t have their colours done. If black and white make you shine is there a reason to do so?
I enjoyed your ramble very much, especially the part about wearing what YOU like, not just what your colour analysis says you like. Instinct does play a role.
I have always relied on neutrals to pull my professional wardrobe together but now that I’m retired I have been playing more with colors. What fun to wear raspberry pink and deep purples on the golf course! Years ago I was an autumn and I still have the page of colors from the color me beautiful book; however, I’m now totally a blond looking gray and certain colors look better than others. There are many ways to wear neutrals in patterns such as camo, animal prints and paisleys and if neutrals are in your comfort zone then I say stick with it. I choose to use pops of colors every so often in my day to day clothes but I agree with you Jennifer, I love my camel, black, navy and gray.