Shopping My Closet: Outfit Ideas 1 & 2
The Power Of A Cohesive Wardrobe…
One of the style concepts that I keep returning to is wardrobe cohesion. In short, the individual elements work well together, and can be re-mixed easily. It’s key to creating a smaller, smarter wardrobe.
Just a note: if you subscribe to my posts with a gmail account, you may be receiving a “suspicious link” warning when you click on the link. I can assure you that my website IS safe. This is due to spam filter settings on that platform that change periodically. If you like, you can try adding [email protected] as a “safe” or “preferred” sender, and this may eliminate the warning. Thank you and I’m sorry for any inconvenience.
After my color analysis last year, I cleared out almost everything that wasn’t in my Spring palette, and have slowly been rebuilding by adding colors that are. One of the best things about doing this is that creating outfits (even with color) is SO much easier! Almost everything coordinates and goes together. I’m finding I don’t need a huge wardrobe to have variety and interest.
So I thought it might be fun to “shop my closet,” and share some outfit ideas with you. Some of the pieces I’ve included are newer, others have been in my wardrobe for some time.
Above: Scarf (c/o)| Sweater (similar) | Earrings (c/o) | Bracelet (c/o) | Bracelet |
Jeans | Bag | Sandals
The scarf was a gift from Red Leopard, and I’m absolutely in love with it! Even though it’s listed as Autumn, some Autumn colors can work for Springs, and that warm butterscotch is one of my best. The red sweater was purchased last summer on sale in London. (I’ve used lightweight sweaters here because that’s what I have in my wardrobe. Any simple tee or top could work as well.)
The jeans are a little off my palette, but I find most blue denim washes still work as neutrals.
Scarf (c/o) | Sweater | Earrings | Bracelet | Jeans | Bag (similar) | Sandals
I used the scarf as a starting point again for this outfit. It looks amazing with that aqua blue sweater! And the aqua blue looks great with a pair of off-white or ecru jeans. These are from Athleta. I’ve had that rattan bag for a couple of years. I’ve never been able find it again online. Here’s one with a similar look.
Even with just the pieces shown here, you could remix for several more unique looks. Switch out some of the accessories, and possibilities abound! Have you found outfit inspiration by shopping your closet?
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I like the second combination the best. The scarf is a deep color for Summer, so the straw bag and light pants bring it back from looking heavy.
Susan, When I try to open your post from my email (click through to browser) I get a “Suspicious link” popup warning saying malicious emails often link to this site. So I’m unable to navigate directly to your site. This has been happening for a few days. I don’t know what it means but I thought you would want to know.
Hi Marilyn, if you subscribe to my posts with a gmail account, you may be receiving a “suspicious link” warning when you click on the link. I can assure you that my website IS safe. This is due to spam filter settings on that platform that change periodically. If you like, you can try adding [email protected] as a “safe” or “preferred” sender, and this may eliminate the warning. Thank you and I’m sorry for any inconvenience.
Thanks for the explanation Susan. Glad there’s no problem. Although not my palette, I love both outfits and the inspiration they provide.
Hi, what does the “c/o” mean? (Found a couple of times under the photographs). I think both outfits look terrific, but it is pushing 90 degrees here, and a scarf is out of the question! LOL.
Hi Gayle, “c/o” means “care of,” or that the item was gifted.
Same here as Marilyn…always get same warning on link to your blog
Hi Nancy, if you subscribe to my posts with a gmail account, you may be receiving a “suspicious link” warning when you click on the link. I can assure you that my website IS safe. This is due to spam filter settings on that platform that change periodically. If you like, you can try adding [email protected] as a “safe” or “preferred” sender, and this may eliminate the warning. Thank you and I’m sorry for any inconvenience.
I am not worried about opening your email posts…love your blog…just wanted you to know in case it was causing concerns for new subscribers to the blog.
Thanks, Nancy!
Love both outfits and how different they look with the same scarf
I love these outfits! They would be great for travel in the right season. I don’t know about where you are in CA but where I am it is 80* and muggy. Do you have some summer outfits coming up?
Hi Susan, thanks! It’s been in the 60’s-70’s here, and not muggy. But as I mentioned in the post, I used sweaters because I have more of those in my wardrobe at the moment. I’m still on the hunt for more summer tops.
It is actually hotter and more humid up in Montréal than in LA!
Yes, people always think of LA as hot, but actually near the coast it often stays cool until July.
Great outfits! I had my colors done in the 80s and am a winter. I’ve stuck with wearing these colors for the most part and agree that they make developing a cohesive wardrobe easy. I’ve always regretted straying from my colors, too. For example, I remember buying dark brown pants to go with a sweater that was a gift. Then I needed brown shoes, a brown belt, and on and on. If I buy something in my color palette, I already have the right accessories!
Exactly!! That’s why I think the color analysis was such a good investment.
Beautiful flat lays, Susan! I’m so thrilled to see all the color! I *so much* agree that coordinating color can be mixed and matched so many ways!
I periodically take screen shots of outfits I like online because I tend to forget that I already own pieces in these colors and the photographs remind me that I can shop my closet and come up with great outfits that I don’t think of on a regular basis.
Great idea! Pinterest is good for that,too.
How great to see you ‘shopping your closet’! This is the way for sustainable fashion. You’ve created two lovely colourful outfits and you didn’t have to buy anything new. I’d love to see more posts like this.
Still working on the “Closet Detox” from March 30 post : ) Love the idea of shopping the closet. Motivation for sorting and realizing what’s actually in there ! These are great examples of basics you can pull together.
Wondering what size the scarf is. Thinking the 90 cm?
Hi Jan, yes it’s the 90cm.
Beautiful color. I’m in the process of moving away from an almost neutral wardrobe and adding more color. Tops seemed like a good place to start. I also figured out that my clothes don’t fit my personality or lifestyle. You think we would just know this but I didn’t. I have a working woman’s wardrobe but I’m retired and live in a rural country town on the Coast. My big city clothes were so wrong for me. I’m loving these posts.
Lovely outfits! I am interested in the new mode of Red Leopard consults. I recall one of your readers commented that she was doing one of the virtual consults and I would love love to hear how that went! While I am mostly working from home, not to say I don’t have time to both shop my closet and sort for best colors and outfits!
Hi Maggie May, if you scroll down through the comments in this post, reader Elaine talks about the results of her online consultation:
https://unefemme.net/personal-style-update-from-funk-to-funky.html
I LOVE the scarf! Do you know if RL will sell to U. S. resident, and ship over?
Yes, they will! 🙂
I too would love to hear how the virtual Red Leopard consults are going. I’ve been unable to figure my coloring out.
Hi Susan, if you scroll down through the comments in this post, reader Elaine talks about the results of her online consultation:
https://unefemme.net/personal-style-update-from-funk-to-funky.html
Love those outfits. I am thinking of having my colors redone. I was a winter in the 80’s but now those colors, other than an emerald green or red, just look too harsh with my hi lighted hair and sallow skin.
I love Athleta and have a birthday discount for May (just turned 65 ) and was wondering what size you purchased. I usually run a size larger than you. Did you purchase petite sizing? Do they stretch out a lot?
Thanks!
Lisa B
Hi Lisa, I took the 6 Petite. They’re a little snug in the waist/hips but stretchy. I’ve had for a few weeks but only worn them a couple of times, and have not noticed that they stretch out.
On my screen that red looks orange, an absolute no for my blue-green eyes, very dark hair and ivory skin (a bit olive or sallow but not very dark. I love red, but mine must be a bit bluer/cooler).
Forgot to add very dark hair but gone grey. I don’t think that alters one’s colouring, but it does mean more cool grey and less black.
Have some of the previous comments been deleted?
Not that I’m aware of.
. Maybe I was reading a different episode!