Let’s face it. Having primary, neutral colors is easy and budget-friendly. I’m totally guilty of this. My closet has lots of blacks, whites, and tans. Living in NYC and growing older, investing in black or cream color items seems better because they will be more timeless. With the world economy and the consumers’ focus on sustainability, it’s a better option than fast fashion. While my staple clothing gravitates toward a neutral palette, not everything I own is black and white.
Having all neutral colors in your closet is the basis of styling. All the colors are easy to wear and coordinate. It’s also a great way to invest in timeless style and save money. There are reasons why people live by only having neutral color palettes in their closest. Is that wrong?
Absolutely not! There is nothing wrong with only having neutral colors. However, it might be slightly dull.
Color adds variation to your outfit. A slight pop of color or an entire colorful garment makes your overall look more exciting.
In addition, colors can say a lot about the wearer’s personality and mood. People have been studying color psychology for years. For example, red usually means boldness and excitement. Others will definitely notice you when you wear red. In comparison, green is more comforting and easier on the eye.
With the cold winter fading away, spring is coming in the next few weeks. So it’s time to incorporate some colors to brighten up your wardrobe and spice up your ensemble with the following tips.
Accent Pieces: Having accent pieces such as bags, hats, scarves, and shoes are an easy and small way to start adding colors to your closet. This is my preferred method of sprinkling a little color in my wardrobe. It’s a great way to highlight and bring attention to specific body areas. However, please don’t overdo it. Instead, focus on limiting one accent color per outfit.
Just imagine a white summer dress paired with bright-colored sandals. How interesting would that be compared to something neutral?
Patterns: Another easy way to incorporate colors is by using patterns. Patterns usually have a primary ground color, then use various colors in the design. If prints are too busy, the designs are the main focus with little ground color. If patterns are more subtle, it’s the reverse, with the ground color being the main focus and the designs being accents. To begin, I suggest starting with subtle designs.
Monochromatic: If you’re more comfortable wearing colors, you can try a monochromatic look from head to toe. It doesn’t need to be too complicated. One of my favorite garments on my friend is her teal jumpsuit. It’s so classy and unique. During the warmer months, I love wearing different shades of blue together.
Pairing Colors: Understanding what colors go well together is essential when buying colorful clothing. It would be best if you did not look like a clown. A way to learn about color pairing is by studying the color wheel. Usually, analogous colors (e.g., teal, blue, violet) or complementary colors (e.g., red-violet, teal) will look good together. This might be hard to do, but once you master it, you will capture many people’s attention.
There’s nothing wrong with having neutral tones as staple pieces in your closet. In fact, I highly encourage people to have a sufficient neutral staple capsule before expanding to more colorful pieces.
Live life colorfully. Start by spicing up with some color in your closet!