19.2.14

Colour Combining my Wardrobe

Follow Just a little less's board Teal on Pinterest.

Hello. Today I've been working on streamlining my wardrobe (yes, again). As my wardrobe gets smaller it's becoming more necessary to consider the colour of each item I decide to keep. My aim is to limit the amount of colours in my wardrobe whilst still having multiple outfit options. Yes, I want the best of both worlds, a smaller wardrobe but a versatile one that allows me some pick and mix fun. 

Some wardrobe organising experts, such as Miss Minimalist, suggest choosing one or two neutral base colours for trousers and skirts and several accent colours for tops and accessories. I think this is good advice but then which colours do I commit to? Isn't this the tricky bit? Some colours are in my wardrobe because they are classic such as navy others just because they make me happy such as my yellow bangles. But I know I still have too many colours in my wardrobe. Which should I choose?

Colour Me Beautiful has successfully helped many people to find which colours suit them but I personally their system hard to follow. Instead of fretting about my 'season' and then whether I'm 'cool' or 'warm' I simply hold a garment close to my face to see if it suits me. Some colours effortlessly lift my skin tone and others can instantly wipe out any hint of radiance. Another trick to choosing colours that suit you is to take notice of what other people with similar colouring to you wear and also how they combine colours. 

Colour combining is a skill and requires confidence. A brilliant tip I picked up recently is to collect images of your favourite colour to create a Pinterest mood board of a favourite colour. The key though is to collect images not just of clothing but of anything in that colour and also to look for images that show your chosen colour alongside other colours. Natural images and cleverly styled interiors can be great inspiration for the colour shy. 

Teal is one of my chosen accent colours and I already have clothes, jewellery and scarves in various shades of this colour. I'm hoping my teal board (or aqua or greeny-blue depending on your opinion) will help me to combine my teal items with other coloured garments that I own now or may buy in the future. I've discovered some great new colour combinations simply by putting this board together. It would also be fun to create a real colour mood board by cutting up magazine images.

Check out Kate Middleton in teal above and oh Beyoncé wore sparkling teal to perform at this year's Brit Awards. I'm off to release my inner diva!



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14 comments

  1. Such a pretty color indeed! And such great info on creating a smaller wardrobe! I have had to live with less as we have a very small bedroom and closet. I was forced to live with less in this area and I love it! All the best to you!!! Nicole

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  2. I think a jewel toned teal like the ones you have here look good on almost everyone.

    I, too, have a problem with the Colour Me Beautiful system. I think it may be too in-depth, I need simplicity. Like you, I just hold the garment up to my face and look in the mirror to see if it flatters or not - it is instantaneous, no analysis needed, or "seasons!"

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  3. Same struggles here - and I like anything from turquoise-teal, lighter in the summer, darker in the winter. It's one of those colours that suits everyone, too!

    For a truly bright and colourful, if slightly mad, minimalist wardrobe, have a look at Xandra's for inspiration; she combines some amazing things and seems to find an outfit for every occasion!!http://fashionablylight.com/my-project-333-list/ (perhaps no longer completely appropriate at our age but inspiring, nevertheless!!)

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    1. Thanks for this. Love Xandra's style and attitude. Great to find a new minimalist blog!

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  4. Teal is beautiful, I love your collection of images. A really good choice I think.

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  5. Great post, I've just been looking through my wardrobe with a view to streamlining! I love the mood board and now have a legitimate reason to spend the next 2 hours on Pintrest - pass the biscuits!! The teal and orange combos really stand out on your board :-)

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    1. Thanks. II agree - I have some coral accessories that I could combine with teal. Enjoy your biscuit break xo

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  6. Love your teal board on Pinterest. I think the hardest part is deciding on colours. I have amethyst and pale blue jewellery that I want to tie into my wardrobe so I am planning my choices around those.

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  7. Claire I love your Teal board and agree with Swissrose that it is a flattering colour for everyone.
    Two/three years ago there was a lot of Teal around in Sydney so I bought a pair of skinny jeans, jacket, tank top and shoes and I've been able to wear them in all seasons - but not all together :) Teal does work with other colours surprisingly well.

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    1. Yes, I shall be experimenting a lot more with teal now!

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  8. I love the idea of your colour board. I did Colour me eautiful many, many years ago and one of the colours they suggested was teal and it has become my favourite colour. I am always drawn in the shops to any clothes in that colour! Since you pointed me in the direction of reducing my wardrobe, I too have found that restricting the wardrobe to a number of complimenting colours, helps to create many different variations of outfits. Sarah x

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  9. Teal is a favourite of mine - I did a similar course to Colour me Beautiful many years ago but I agree it can be a bit complicated. I look best in warm Autumn and rich jewel colours so this time of year is great. If I have a grey / black outfit I use a colourful scarf or warm jewellery near my face otherwise I can look a bit drawn. The mood board is a great idea I have always kept a folder of magazine / catalogue tear outs if I see something I like the colour or shape of - I suppose that is similar. I am looking for ideas on reducing my wardrobe though I do need a lot of clothes for work - they seem to wear very quickly so I tend to buy inexpensive things.

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  10. Love that inspiration board though I don't think it would be a colour for me.
    Do you know the Vivienne Files? A blog with many combination ideas and lots of inspirations of capsule wardrobes. Love it so much for inspiration.

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    1. Thanks for the blog suggestion, certainly lots of inspiration and practical suggestions :)

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