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.”
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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