Updated with new pictures from The Limited below (1/21/2011).
For a fresh and modern look, wear a combination of warm and cool colors. Examine your coloring carefully. You have both, don’t you? Blue eyes with gold flecks in them, brown eyes rimmed with gray, peach skin and silver hair (that’s me). Here’s a typical CMB
And here’s the same thing, but this time with a gray turtleneck:
(Please excuse the fuzzy photography.) Doesn’t it just look softer?
Often, just out of reflex, we match when we should mix. Next time you think you need a cream blouse with a brown jacket, think again. White and brown is a very sharp look.
- I have also previously done a very thorough post (with lots of links) on color combining.
One easy way to apply this principle: wear gold jewelry with cool colors and silver with warm.
Presently I’m loving peach and white, with or without another neutral in the mix. What are your favorite cool/warm color schemes?
That DOES look nice. Something I’ve learned from reading your blog everyday is that I have no eye for this. None. But I’ve borrowed your idea of the everyday “uniform” and it’s working well!
Thanks Beck!
I’m glad the “uniform” concept is working for you. Easy is good.
🙂
I have to say, every time I read your blog I am impressed. I have to go with Bek in that I am COMPLETELY lost (and personally have no clue how to function these things) but I try to mull them over. In fact, just the other day I wore a blue shirt. It was even light blue. Baby steps!
Wow, this is a great post. I have a hard time not being matchy-matchy. But I will certainly have to try this out after seeing how great it looks. Thanks, Rebecca, for another great idea!
Welcome, MrsLady! Thanks for your kind comments.
Thank you, too, Tessa. And thanks for the tip about the laptop! 🙂
I shall soon be blogging remote. But first I have to learn how to use it. he hee.
As I’ve mentioned before… red and apple green. 🙂 lately I really like apple green and aqua with red, pink, orange, and/or yellow. Orange being my current fave.
I like your charcoal & camel… I’ve been putting charcoal and black with chocolate and liking that too!
Jennifer
I wish I could see the photos the way the rest of you are seeing them! The turtlenecks look exactly the same color to me.
I wear almost exclusively cool colors–but I do wear gold jewelry most of the time, too. I did enjoy the brown and aqua that I saw everywhere last summer.
Karen ~ I know what you mean. Sorry I couldn’t get the color better.
Brown and aqua is a great color combination!
Jennifer ~ I love how adventurous you are! What do you think of the term “innovator” or “innovative” instead of alternative/trendy? It’s growing on me, but I wouldn’t want to choose something that didn’t work for the people it describes. My older daughter, who falls into that category, likes it.
MrsLady ~ Jennifer’s charcoal and black with chocolate would be a good option for you too.
I”m with karen, my computer shows them as the same shade 🙁
I must say too, that since reading Rebbecca I’ve been thinking a lot more about what I wear and trying new combinations etc.
I even tried out those jeans she suggested at Eddie Bauer-but they didn’t work out. 8’s were to small, 10’s were too lose! Argh, need an in between size. I did think it was interesting that the sales lady told me to try on another set of 8’s as she said there can be up to an INCH of difference in the way the machine cuts them out for the exact same size. WOW! I didn’t know that. Now I need to try out those DNKY Soho’s that You Look Fab recommended.
Oops, sorry for the hijack. . .
Jenn ~ that’s quite alright. Those DKNYs looked really good. Hope they work.
I have heard that in the factory they cut a huge stack of jeans at once. Depending on where yours is in the stack accounts for the variance.
BTW, I submitted that guest post for the Bargain Queen. You should do one too. Maybe lunchboxes?
Seconding the “uniform” wardrobe concept. I’m looking to create something along the same lines for myself.
Re: fashion or style
Rebecca, you have a wonderfully nuanced, subtle, and appropriate style. Your careful selections and choices say much about the kind of person you are, especially since I have never met you face to face.
Thanks Danielle. I look forward to seeing what you post about your uniform.
Rebecca-I’ll have to think about that. . . this week and last are just so hectic with being out of the house every night from 6-11 to stage manage a show and then the kiddos home from school all last week. Add in PMS and we are lucky everyone is still breathing. . . . Argh! Good think I have such a sweet and helpful husband.
I totally understand! Some “seasons” (thankfully this one should be short!) are just too full to add in one more thing.
I’m thankful you are still updating your blog — and that you take time to comment here! 🙂
BTW, I LOVE your contest idea.
Regarding the photos: natural light! Got any up there? (Joke!)
LOL. Yes. But my main problem is where to stage the photos so you can’t see any clutter. =D