In my last post I mentioned my new denim shirt that was nowhere in my ideal color palette. It’s much more “cool” in color tone than the other blues in my palette. And yet I simply love it.
GAP Fitted Denim Western Shirt $29.99
Like a classic jeans jacket, I think you can find similar items at many retailers. This one is from GAP and is pretty much identical to the one I’m wearing here. If I had searched for a while I could likely find one in a darker color. But I didn’t mind the color contrast that it set up with my dark rinse jeans. I paired it with a rust colored sweater (mine is old, similar is here) that is exactly in my palette.
I might also have considered buying one in an off-white color, as a lot of those are available lately, and then dyeing it. But I have huge percentage of the Natural style type. (I refrained from describing myself as “lazy.”) The extra time and effort to do that wasn’t so appealing. I just wanted to find something that met my style criteria.
How to Make the Wrong Color Work
First, find it in your style. The reason I love this shirt is that it suits my predominantly Natural style in my style mix. (There are charts in my book that identify the elements that can help you define where you fit into the different style types.) I describe the Natural style as “easy and uncomplicated.” Denim shirts also suggest a Western motif, as in “cowgirl.” All that adds up to a look that is not “buttoned down,” “frilly,” or “dramatic.” When something is so exact for your style, wearing it in a color that is slightly off ideal will often still work for you.
Secondly, add something in a color that does work. The fact that I wore it with this rust sweater close to my face gave it another level of mitigation.
Next, consider the contrast level. The shirt, jeans, and sweater all have varying levels of contrast, or color saturation. The shirt has the lowest level. But it doesn’t create an extreme level of dark-to-light contrast between itself and the other garments. If the contrast level is acceptable, that is another green light.
Also, if any color does make you disappear in comparison to its color, you can always adjust adjust your makeup. You can’t tell in this photo (it was taken in very bright mid-day sunlight) but I did wear more blusher and lipstick just so that I would show up more.
Lastly, simply don’t worry. Yes, color accuracy can be flattering and fun, but in the larger scheme of things, this isn’t life or death. The fashion police are not an armed guard.
Lands End Denim Midi Skirt $47.97 with code
More Casual Items for the Spring and Summer
Another denim item on my radar is this denim midi skirt from Lands’ End. For decades Land’s End has been known for workhorse, consistent, and slightly boring clothing. This year they must have gotten a new stylist because their spring catalog just knocked it out of the park. And the whole catalog is on sale through the 30th with the code: SWIMMING
Here’s a sample of what I mean.
Five Pocket Hi Rise Chinos $47.97 with code
This breezy visual, highlighted by the large leather tote and trench coat could have easily been straight out of Elle or Marie Claire magazine. Adding those Classic elements takes the whole look a notch up, and away from Lands’ End more somewhat dated style. About that image, you’ve probably seen that tote bags are the latest “in” shape for handbags. In my next post I’m going to share some information about different bags for different style types. We’ll be looking at the uber pricey version and then some terrific lookalike bargains.
Starfish Cropped pants $32.97 with code
Then there is this combination. You can hardly go wrong with a 3-season striped blouse (and can wear it with a sweater in the winter.) This one is shown with their perennial Starfish collection in a cropped pant. Crops are very popular right now. Unless you have very short legs it’s a cool and breezy look. The simple sandals in tan are a perfect complement. (RE: pant length, my lower legs are pretty short so I tend to avoid crops. I’ll do a post soon about pant lengths and shoes.) Here is one option for the blouse. Macy’s has several.
Green cotton sheath $41.97
And then I just wanted to show a dress they are featuring. This one can be dressed up or down and would be a very versatile and packable piece for a trip. It comes in this moss color as well as black and a deep tan.
Chlorine resistant tummy control one piece swimsuit $62.97
I’m thinking of buying this swimsuit for myself. As for color, black is nowhere in my palette. The closest I can wear is a dark charcoal. But in the summer, especially if I tan a bit, I will wear a black swimsuit. It’s mostly a Classic cut, I like the addition of the cap sleeves, a slightly High Spirited element, and I LOVE that they show an older woman modeling it in the video clip on the page.
Again, if any of that appeals to you, through April 30 they are offering 40% off everything with the promo code: SWIMMING
I hope you try stretching beyond your color boundaries a but now and then. It can be liberating. Let me know if you have and how you felt about that.
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