Capsule Wardrobe With Color
It’s not difficult right now to find inspiring color combinations in fashion magazines and websites, however most of the ensembles are styled in such a way as to create blocks of color stacked on top of each other, which isn’t flattering for the majority of us who are not very tall and very thin.
For the most flattering effect, color needs to be worn strategically, utilizing the concept of a vertical “column of color” that will create a lengthening and slimming effect. A few well chosen pieces can yield a multitude of options. Using the pieces above, look at how many different outfits could be created (all with the column of color in mind).
1. Grey trousers, grey sweater, olive jacket.
2. Grey trousers, grey sweater, navy jacket (add more color with bag, scarf)
3. Grey trousers, grey sweater, rust jacket
4. Jeans, navy tee, olive jacket
5. Jeans, navy tee, rust jacket
6. Jeans, burnt orange tee, navy jacket (column of color on outside)
7. Jeans, camel sweater, navy jacket (ditto)
8. Paisley skirt, burnt orange tee, navy jacket (the paisley skirt will pick up and “read” as the color it’s paired with)
9. Paisley skirt, navy tee, rust jacket
10. Paisley skirt, burnt orange tee, rust jacket
11. Paisley skirt, camel sweater, navy jacket
12. Camel pants, camel sweater, olive jacket
13. Camel pants, camel sweater, navy jacket
14. Camel pants, camel sweater, rust jacket
Add some shoes, bags and scarves in complementary colors, and the potential ensembles grow exponentially! I’ll be keeping this strategy in mind when looking to incorporate more color into my wardrobe.
Can you see any combos that I’ve missed?
~
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 United States License.
Stay in touch
Sign up to be notified of new posts and updates from une femme d’un certain âge.
I find that using similar values helps a lot in creating the column of colors. Imagine taking a black and white photo of the ensemble. Does it “read” as one shade, or do lights and darks pop out of the picture?
Your fall selections show this as well. As for the salmon sweater, sometimes you need a focal point as well.
Love. This.
I like your colors. I am also a big mix-and-matcher, coming from the days when I had a tiny salary in publishing; everything had to work at least 3 ways… Our “fall” won’t start until mid-late October, so while it is great to see something to look forward to, I have many long hot days to go before I’ll be wearing my autumn gear! But I can plan…
I love the color combinations, and, like Kathy, I adore that Balmain jacket. It is my absolutely favorite color for fall, and a beautiful cut.
This is definitely a versatile collection.
As most of the time it’s relatively easy to mix color-color in with neutrals, just wanted to add that one may want to deliberately create a capsule-within-a-capsule for the colored pieces, making sure tones, weights, and shape all work together. Just in case one wants to wear *all* color, that is!
[You see I am being optimistic you will go all out this fall, ha!]
You’ve demonstrated this with the print skirt/orange top/rust jacket, just wanted to put in a plug for potentially doing more of the same.
[So, for example, a solid color-color skirt that works with the rust jacket + a printed top that works with the solid skirt + jacket + a colored sweater/knit jacket that works with the printed top and both printed and solid skirt…and so on and so forth.]
Staying tuned as to where your adventures take you….
Very nice. (I find I”m oddly attracted to that olive jacket – not usually a color I like but I think I’m liking it here!)
And as for moi, I’m afraid I’d nudge you to add one pair of higher heels. Now come on, we’re of the “petite” set, n’est-ce pas?
(Can’t help myself… )
Vivier perhaps? (Would that I had a Vivier budget!)
Fantastic combinations. But I can’t think about fall yet – we haven’t really had summer up here on Vancouver Island.
I do love that patterned skirt though.
It is SO hot in Dallas that I get hot flashes just looking at beautiful fall clothing. I’m afraid I’m on a day to day survival quest. What can i wear to stay as cool as possible!
I think you are on the right track though. While I understand the value and beauty of neutrals, I’ve always loved color as well. I get the most compliments (many from total strangers) when I wear a “pumpkin” colored short trench coat that I have.
Beautiful! And add me to the list of Balmain-lovers…
Oh those are beautiful tones, that’s about as much colour as I can handle. I’m going back to carefully study this!
Oh those are beautiful tones, that’s about as much colour as I can handle. I’m going back to carefully study this!
Love your list…I am going to print it out and put it in my closet. I completely agree that the color blocking is not flattering to many of us. For the past seven years, I have been testing ways to elongate my look and your ideas are all part of that test. Thanks for the help!
Just peeked at the fall colors, ‘cos it’s 90 and humid here — can just barely manage a sleeveless dress.
When I’ve cooled off, I’ll keep that column of color in mind.
If I had that Balmain olive green jacket, I’d never take it off! Love the color combos.
Fascinating. I wouldn’t have thought the paisley skirt would flow with the color it’s paired with but I see exactly what you mean.
The only things missing are the scarves!
I cannot wear camel near my face, and pumpkin is less than ideal. I need to pull out a piece of paper and figure out what to subsitute, because I am thrilled with this. Awesome capsule!
Okay, I figured the formula out:
Start with a paisley or other suitable print skirt. Pull 3 blazer/jacket and one “color” top colors from it. Could also start with a print top or scarf.
Two base colors (camel and gray–or sub another one that suits) to coordinate with print.
Jeans + navy top = another base “set”
Shoes, bags, etc. to go with….
Genius for any season–choose lighter top layers and sleeveless tops for hotter weather.
This is a great post, even though the colors are not mine. I will print it out and post it in my sewing room for inspiration. Thanks!
I am loving orange and camel together for fall. I’d need something else near my face, just the right scarf.
Thanks for making right-clicking possible again!
Exactly the type of colours I can wear, although my irrational fear of pattern would rule out the skirt 🙂 Very inspiring!
The column is most flattering for most of us. I prefer to add colour via scarves though would like the olive jacket. I find I tire of some coloured items and they feel as if I’ve had them forever rather quickly. I like these combos very much, yet for me they are *bright*!
Thanks for wonderfully useful post! I lurched into the “column” by accident and desperation a few years ago, but your postings have revealed all kinds of possibilities. I love the color palette, but the “earths” need to be toned down for me: rust goes to salmon or coral, for example. But a printed scarf or my vintage amber and agate beads can accentuate the paler tones.
Great Autumn 😉 colors, Pseu! Also love your shoe choices. — Luna
The inner column is so easy, so flattering, so everything–I’m surprised more women don’t do it. it also enables you to wear colors you can’t normally wear–outside the column.
This also shows that it is possible (maybe even more so) to dress beautifully and elegantly with some 50 pieces total, to cover all seasons, outerwear, shoes, bags. But I would have to add another 50 pieces, just to account for scarves :))
It’s been foggy and cold (50s) here in the Bay Area, with no warming trend in sight. I’m ready to wear all those fall clothes today! Love mixing colors that way. I’d opt for colorful shoes, too (and boots, always boots, even in July), with high, chunky heels.
Pseu, these choices also look as if you are going in a different direction with your clothes – more structured jackets, perhaps?
NancyDaQ – yes, that’s a great suggestion too. And yes, sometimes I like a piece that “pops.”
Pam – glad you like it! I sort of put this together to brainstorm and figure out how to put together a capsule without resorting to black. Fall is when I usually do the most wardrobe update shopping, and now I have a short list of pieces I’ll be shopping for once the fall colors start hitting the racks.
kathy peck – oh yes, it looks like a beauty. Oh, to have that kind of clothing budget…
Anonymous – thank you!
Pearl – our “fall” doesn’t really start until almost December, but a lot of the “pre-fall” pieces that start to be available in August and are of lighter weight are what I tend to wear for about 3/4 of the year.
Patti – isn’t it pretty though? I can’t wear double breasted jackets, but I’d love to find something in that color.
Vix – I still like the versatility that neutrals provide, but yes, will try to mix up the colors a bit more. The skirt is one of the few pieces here I actually have, and am amazed at how well it “plays with others.”
Susan Tiner – this skirt has really opened my eyes to the possibilities of print and color.
Big Little Wolf – I’m a big fan of the right olive, not too drab, not too yellow. That jacket hits the bullseye. If I can find something that color and within my budget, I will be a happy camper. With regard to the heels, 2.5″ is the highest I can go anymore. My feet just can’t take anything higher. I’d kill for some of those mid-heel Viviers…
Lorrie – from what I’ve seen from my Vancouver blogger friends, your weather has been quite changeable lately. Hope you get some nice summer weather soon!
Susan – I know what you mean. Just about the time the fall clothing hits the stores, we generally get the really insane heat waves, then it doesn’t cool down until late November. So “fall” for me is more a color scheme than a season.
Jean S – thanks!
Bourbon & Pearls – glad you like! I can’t handle the really bright and vibrant colors either.
Rubi – I hear the East coast has had some really miserable weather lately (hot & humid). Hope you get a break.
kbfenner – thanks! You might do better with cooler colors. I have very warm tones, so do wonderfully with the colors usually associated with autumn. Look for teals, purples, dusty roses which I’ve also seen in fall look-books.
I wasn’t actually that scientific about it, but yes, that’s how it ends up. And I’d generally pick more lighter weight pieces than those I’ve shown here, which were primarily chosen for style and color.
Louise – me too! And you’re welcome.
Tiffany – I have a fear of pattern too! But the thing about the skirt is it’s away from the face, so I don’t notice it as much. And the pattern makes it easier to coordinate with multiple colors.
Sewing Librarian – thanks! I think this strategy can be adapted to any colors.
Frugal Scholar – it does seem so basic, doesn’t it? But we so rarely see clothing shown this way.
Duchesse – these are “bright” for me too. One of the reasons I’ve been hesitant to add much color is the fear of tiring of it. But the few pieces with color I’ve added in the last year are still appealing, so I hope that versatile colors will help avoid the ennui.
Swissy – I feel like a late bloomer, but didn’t really learn the column concept until working with Imogen a couple of years ago. Scarves are a great way to get the right colors nearest the face!
Luna – thank you! I think the right 50 would be a plentiful wardrobe, and one could do it with even less.
Nancy – sounds great! We’re cool here now in LA, but it won’t last.
metscan – thank you so much.
SewingLibrarian – none of these, except for the skirt, and similar jeans and navy tee are actually pieces I own. This was mostly an exercise to see if I could build a capsule wardrobe without any black and utilizing “my” colors. But I am trying to find pieces that are the right balance between soft and structured. Full-on tailored feels to stiff and stuffy for me right now, but I do need pieces that are polished enough for a business casual office.
Once again you managed to do a thorough post.
Thank you for sharing it with us.
On the road, so very brief, but had to extend props for this inspiring line-up. Well done!
materfamilias – thanks! Now if I can just find some items along these lines…
Love it all, especially the kitten heels.
Belle – Thanks! there are some great kitten heels out there right now. Check out the Stuart Weitzman’s that are marked down as part of the Nordstrom anniversary sale right now.