How to Wear More Color Without Feeling Overwhelmed
One of the things I hear from clients and readers is, “I’d love to wear more color, but don’t want to feel like it’s wearing me.” I get it, truly I do. For years and years, I wore almost nothing but neutrals (mostly black). I told myself that it was because neutrals were more polished and sophisticated, and easier to combine. And while that’s true, a lot of my fear of wearing color was fear of standing out.
But I still craved some color in my outfits. Learning my best colors through a professional color analysis was an important first step. It took some experimenting with my new palette, but over time I figured out how to combine and wear color in a way that’s comfortable and doesn’t feel forced.
How to Start Wearing More Color
What I find with my clients is that many have defaulted to wearing black, white, beige, grey, or very muted shades. Adding more or brighter color can feel disorienting at first, even when they love the colors in their new palette. If that sounds familiar, here are a few simple ways to ease more color into your wardrobe.
Start With a Colorful Accessory
Scarves or accessories are a perfect starting point to bring color into your everyday outfits. A scarf is a great way to add your best colors near your face, where it counts most. But bags, necklaces, brooches, and earrings allow small doses of color that can provide a focal point.
Pair One Color With One or Two Neutrals
Neutrals are the backbone; color adds life and vibrance. Start with one color you love and let your familiar neutrals do the rest. Keeping the silhouettes and most of the outfit neutral allows the color to stand out without taking over. (Yes, there’s a little bit of Burgundy in the scarf, but who’s counting? 😉)
Try Analogous Colors for a Softer Effect
Colors that sit next to or near each other on the color wheel create less contrast than colors on opposite sides. The result is colorful but still harmonious, as in this combination of blue denim and green.
I spied this sweater at Madewell over the weekend and was delighted to find that it’s 100% merino wool. It has a slim cut, so I sized up to a Medium. The green should work beautifully for Springs and most Autumns. It’s one of my very favorite shades and isn’t always easy to find, so as I tell my clients, “Buy it when you find it.” (And Madewell just launched an “Insiders Event” with 25% off, and this sweater is included.)
Use Your Seasonal Palette as a Guide
The beauty of building a wardrobe around your seasonal palette is that the colors are designed to work together. You’ll probably find some easier or more appealing to wear than others, and that’s perfectly fine. You don’t need to wear every color in your palette. Focus on the ones you love and leave the rest.
Ready to Find Your Best Colors?
And if you have been wanting your own Personal Color Analysis and live near or will be visiting the Los Angeles area, I’m taking appointments for fall and winter. Let me help you find the colors that make you glow!
Wearing color can be energizing and, as my friend Annie says, “it raises your vibration.” The key is finding ways to wear it that make you feel confident and still like yourself. Do you tend to avoid color, ease it in a little at a time, or embrace the boldest shades? Let me know in the comments!
And if you have other style questions, please let me know. I’m working on another installment of Your Style Questions Answered, and if you’re wondering about it, chances are others are as well!
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Wearing color is energizing. Love the green sweater and you wear it beautifully. 💚
Thank you, Jan!
I’m the one who interviewed for her Big Law job in a red suit (in 1993)! Yet this is great advice. The neutral with a pop of color (sometimes just the shoes) is very me, and perfect for a winter. In addition to the scarf, the chunky beaded necklaces that are out now are another great way to add color near your face. I have to echo your “buy your colors when you see them” advice! Color is a way to separate me from my $, but it can be so hard to find the right shades. I love you in that green! And you are so right about things in your season all going together. That was a pleasant surprise for me!
Hi Shari, I love that you wore a red suit to your interview!
That pop of green sweater looks great on you. Your hair, lipstick color, and glowing face really all blend together for a classic, refreshing look. Smart advice to buy our colors when we see them.
Thanks very much, Deanna!
Much appreciated topic. I love to wear color…so I do! When I was a 10-year-old art student, the only sort of compliment our teacher ever gave me was to say “this girl is trying to work with color.” Still am! Color makes everything worthwhile (slight exaggeration, perhaps…). And experimenting with color is great fun.
Hi Lee, I find working with color so energizing!
The bright green is most definitely your color!
Thanks, Barbara!
You are so right about buying it when you see it! I’ve been through times when brown has disappeared for years – seemingly a decade! My favorite colors (think autumn leaves, olive, ochre, rust, tobacco, cognac, chocolate) seem to be having a moment right now, and I am buying them with abandon! Learned my lesson! Now, if I could just find more petrol (the color, not the fuel;-)!
I went through the same thing with not being able to find the right brown after my color analysis. Take a look at Eileen Fisher’s new color “Sailor Blue.” I think it’s pretty close.
Thanks, Susan; I’ll take a peek.
Thanks, Susan!
I’d love an update on finding cotton or cotton blend (no polyester or wool due to allergies) sweaters.
Hi MaryJ, I recently did a roundup of cotton sweaters…you can read it here: The Best Cotton Sweaters & Wool-Free Knits for Fall
I wonder if some women have an easier time choosing the right garments once they know their best colors. I had my color analysis about 8 or 9 months ago. I’ve made a couple of mistakes, but they were tee shirts and no big investment. Now I am leaning into ivory/cream knit sweaters/cardigans and adding accessories – jewelry, scarves, and makeup – and this feels like me. I used to buy button downs which needed ironing but I’m not buying new ones. I find varying textures works for me. A woven ballerina flat, a ribbed texture in a sweater or top, etc. Even though the style of dress in our town is very casual, I lean toward something that feels elegant and simple (to me) but not fussy or overworked. I always benefit from your posts and the comments. Thanks Susan!
Thank you for including the Cole Hahn loafers in the color pairing. Exactly what I have been looking for. Great article.
Hi Christi, thanks and glad you like them!
Hi Susan,
You seem to wear a lot of autumn colors but am curious if you are considered
an autumn??
This is my first time commenting on your blog.
Sandy M.
Hi Sandy, thanks for reading! I’m actually a Golden Spring, which means the warmest colors in the Spring palette are my best. Some of those are very close to colors from the Autumn palette. (And there are a few colors that are in both palettes, like Coral, Dark Brown, and Tan.)
I was recently told that I am a soft summer because there isn’t much contrast in my hair, eyes and skin. I had some pictures taken wearing a soft aqua blue and they turned out great. My personality draws me toward brighter colors…bright turquoise and fuchsia…but I guess I’ll have to adjust!
Hello Sue, I also love that green on you! Do you have a recommendation for purchasing a colour wheel? I looked on Amazon and there are so many, I’m not sure which would be the best to buy.
Hi Patricia, it really depends on how you want to use it. Are you looking for something for your seasonal palette, or just a standard color wheel (like the one in the post)?
where do olive and chartreuse belong on your color wheel?
Hi NCSue, if you’re asking which season they belong to, those colors are in the Autumn palette.