Leslie Willmott | Wardrobe Strategies for Career, Travel & Casual Lifestyles

Wardrobe Strategies for Career, Travel & Casual Lifestyles

How to Build Your Wardrobe With Your Best Colors – Part 2

By on Aug 13, 2014


The Strategic Use of Color

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Building a wardrobe based on your most flattering colors is both an art and a science. This rings true not only in identifying your most flattering colors, as discussed in my previous post, but also in how you work with your color palette. Here’s an overview of your color groups and how I guide my clients to use color strategically as they build their wardrobes:


Neutrals – Wardro
be Workhorses

Your best neutrals are those with the same undertone (cool or warm) as your own coloring. The true neutrals are black, white, and grey but certain colors can be neutrals too:  beige, brown, burgundy, navy, forest green, teal, plum. Do you see lots of neutrals in your closet? That’s good news as they are your best choice for wardrobe basics. Neutrals give you the most wardrobe mileage because they can be worn again and again without being remembered. They act as backdrops for your personal coloring and best fashion colors.

7b3c4d6effea68237c177c93d73dfba7Your most flattering neutrals are those that repeat part of your personal coloring – hair, skin or eyes. The most important neutral is your natural hair color. (I often advise women to make major wardrobe purchases, such as a coat, in their hair color.)

Wearing Neutrals:

Dressing head-to-toe in neutrals can be a sophisticated, elegant look but only if you avoid monotony by incorporating two of the following: contrasts in light and dark values, texture, print or shine, or unusual design lines. A neutral colored suit, pant and skirt can play multiple roles in your wardrobe when you start combining them with a scarf, blouse, or jacket in one of the fashion colors your color analyst gave you.

Black & White

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From Looking Good…Every Day

Your closet may be as full of black as mine is (it’s my favorite for travel). Yet, black is not as flattering on many women as other neutrals. Why? It’s not a part of most women’s personal coloring. If this is true for you but you’re not ready to eliminate black from your wardrobe, top those pants and skirts with your best fashion colors.

What about that black suit or jacket? Here’s a tip Nancy Nix-Rice gives in her new Looking Good…Every Day  book:  Wear a black jacket with a neutral top similar to your hair color then add an accessory that has both black and your hair color to pull it all together.

About White:  Bright white can be too harsh and overpowering for someone with warm or soft coloring. The wrong white can also make your pearly teeth look yellowed. Pearl, cream, and softly greyed whites are more flattering for many women (my wedding dress was a champagne color!). Other tips:

* White demands attention. Use it to spotlight an area you’d like people to notice or to distract the eye from a color that is not so good for you.
* It’s best not to wear white in large quantities unless you have lots of contrast in your coloring, like dark hair and pale skin.

Eye Color

6ff744d854e7975d847ce3160a8f20eeMost people have at least three colors in their eyes and some as many as 20. The composite color, seen best from three feet away, is one of your most effective wardrobe colors. Your eye color expresses calmness, compassion, and trustworthiness. Worn near your face, it causes people to focus on your eyes – a plus in any one-on-one communication.

Red

5ac41ae280ca61646f63689106dde7eaEveryone can wear red – it enhances either the femininity or masculinity of the wearer. If your skin tone is warm, wear yellow-based orangey reds. If your skin tone is cool, wear blue-based cherry reds.

Red is considered the most romantic color and it intensifies other people’s reactions to you. Once considered purely a color to wear on social occasions, red is a staple today in many women’s career wardrobes. Don’t be afraid to wear it, just choose the occasions when you know you can handle anything!

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Nina McLemore, Fall 2014

Dramatic Colors

Complementary colors (those opposite each other on the color wheel – see below) enliven each other, creating excitement, drama. For most people, blues and blue-greens are their dramatic colors because they enhance the orange and red-orange in the skin. Dramatics can be worn alone, or used to add a spark of color to neutral outfits. Attention to detail in grooming is a must when you choose dramatic colors since they draw all eyes towards you. Don’t wear them when you’d rather not be seen or heard.

Elegant, Understated Colors

This last group of colors has been defined differently by various color consultants. Some identify “understated” colors as your deep neutral colors (separate from those that are “reserved” or “conservative”). Others say that if you take away your dramatic colors, your reds, your eye colors, and your neutrals, your remaining colors are your elegant, understated colors. If you are ever in doubt about what color is appropriate for an occasion, select one from this category. You will always look attractive in these colors, but the key thing to remember is you won’t stand out like you do in dramatic colors and reds.

Psychology of Color

The colors you wear can contribute to your success in any negotiation or meeting, whether it’s a first date or a major business deal. Although people will react differently depending on personal preferences, studies have shown that most people make certain color associations, such as:

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Navy                         Honest, Trustworthy, Organized
Black                        Sophisticated, Authoritative, Strong
White                       Fresh, Precise, Artistic
Crème/Camel        Elegant, Approachable, Trusting
Brown                      Stable, Secure, Persevering
Grey                         Conventional, Refined, Authoritative
Burgundy                Classic, Refined, Elegant, Formal
Teal                          Inventive, Soothing, Balancing
Yellow                      Cheerful, Stimulating
Green                       Refreshing, Natural, Calming


Remember These Facts About Color…

  • Color is the first thing your eye sees.
  • Color can influence your emotions and those of the people around you.
  • Colors build confidence when you know they are personally enhancing.

Color is the most important component of your look. You can use it to expand your wardrobe, reflect your personal style, and send a message to people around you!

 

Unless otherwise noted, photos are from Pinterest.

    4 Comments

  1. Hi Leslie,

    I love your e-mails. They really make me think about my colors. You know, I usually buy what I like regardless of color, but tend towards the reds, browns, beiges, blue/greens and black. Now when I take something out of the closet or look to buy something new, I look at the palm of my hand! Keep the e-mails coming. You know, I always admired the way you dress — classy and professional. If anyone asks if I know someone who can give her/him good wardrobe advice, I will highly recommend you.

    My best,

    Carole

    Carole DeDomenico

    August 13, 2014

  2. Hi Carole,
    Thanks so much for your lovely comments. I’m pleased you now have an easy test to help you better shop for the most flattering colors!
    Best,
    Leslie

    LeslieWillmott

    August 14, 2014

  3. Great blog!

    Karen Kitowski

    August 17, 2014

    • Thank you, Karen!

      LeslieWillmott

      August 27, 2014

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