Creating a Wardrobe with YOUR Colors in Mind

Creating a wardrobe with your colors is easy and relatively effortless. You just need to keep a few things in mind.

Today we’ll talk about what I mean by “your colors” and how you can start. I’ll take you on my journey of discovery and hopefully it will help you on yours as well. The process of filling your closet with curated items is not difficult. All you need are a few tools and ideas.

The Journey to Knowing Your Colors

This is the part of the process that takes the longest. So hopefully by my sharing a few resources it’ll help you on your journey. A few years ago I researched my colors after going to a formal weekend event and feeling like something was off with the apparel I chose for the weekend. I felt elegant and beautifully dressed but something about each look somehow lacked completeness. Come to find out, the colors I wore were just slightly off for my complexion and coloring.

When I got home I took a DEEP DIVE into researching what colors are best for me, my skin tone, and eye color. It was a very powerful process.

You can see the result of my research here.

Knowing my colors

I started with a simple Google and Pinterest search, asking how to determine my colors. Ultimately I opened a virtual pandora’s box that led down a few roads taking me to this site and series of articles. I found tools, graphics, an explanation, and even a color consultation I could pay for. The learning I did on the site was enough to inform me that I’m a Soft Autumn. I learned my coloring is best complimented by warm, deep, and soft tones. Reachel Bagley is the author and fashion consultant on Cardigan Empire. I found her work to be profoundly helpful and informative.

Knowing my complexion and best colors as Soft Autumn, I went to Pinterest and searched those exact keywords. I simply typed soft autumn colors into the search bar and was then led directly to many ideas and suggestions. In this aspect of the process I learned I can borrow colors from the Soft Summer and True Autumn palettes.

So going back a few years to the formal event I attended. Every single item I chose was not on my palette, beautiful and elegant yes, but just a few hues off from what was right for me. No wonder I felt off .

Curating a Wardrobe with Your Colors

It’s as simple as screen shots. That’s all there is to it friends. I took several screen shots and saved them to a note on my phone. Everything from color palettes, wardrobe ideas, to make-up swatches. Now every time I’m at a store, in person or online, looking to purchase a clothing item I look at my note.

I open the note and make sure the colors fall within my palette and voila! I am actively curating, effectively, and intentionally buying wardrobe items I will wear for many seasons to come.

No more guessing, and wondering. Online shopping is probably the trickiest way to buy with my colors in mind but having my Soft Autumn know-how I’m making smarter purchases and returning less when I shop virtually.

How to Shop

When I shared this article idea Lydia (a committed community member) suggested I offer a few ideas on where to shop.

Really, truly, this is completely based on your preference. I believe in being able to wear each piece of clothing I buy in several ways with multiple items in my closet. This method stretches my dollar and also gives each article of clothing a longer shelf life. I’m very attracted to the idea of a capsule wardrobe but through the process of learning my colors I’m much more comfortable now with a curated wardrobe.

I don’t narrow my focus to number of items or outfits but rather I look at my wardrobe in more of a comprehensive way. Does most of my closet suit me and my colors? When I dress for work, an outing, or an event is my wardrobe going to help me feel great? Better yet, if something last minute pops up and I don’t have time to shop, does my closet have what it takes?

Where I Shop

Here are the places I shop for my curated closet. When I seek out locations for shopping I look for places with a wide variety of sizing, colors, neutrals and some pattern choices as well. Ethically sourced items are always ideal as well. You can go here for shoppable posts I’ve created.

• Target-Great price point, but be aware of clothing quality
• Old Navy– Great price point, but be aware of clothing quality
• Loft– dressy casual, business, and business casual
• Patagonia– Ethically sourced, climate minded
• Amazon– dressy dressy casual and casual. I recommend you are comfortable with their return process as well. I like the Amazon brand, Daily Ritual for staples
• LL Bean– activewear, athleisure, cabin wear
• Athleta– athletic, athleisure, cabin wear
• Banana Republic– business and dressy

Living intentionally for me is comprehensive. Including my closet, the way I dress and present myself is part of THAT process for me. Effectiveness in life doesn’t start and end with your daily to do list. It easily flows to all aspects of life to include the curation of a beautiful wardrobe thoughtfully purchased.

So today I hope I leave you with hope for you and your intentional life,