Most clothes seem to bright for work

[NotJustACigar]

Does anyone else have this issue? If so what do you do about it? I have no issue with wearing bright colours casually (red, etc). But at my work, the men all wear light blue or white or grey, and it's a male-dominated environment. The other women dress in many different styles but I have an issue in that I don't like to stand out at work for what I'm wearing. The thing is, I have pale skin and look really washed out in navy and black which most women wear. The colours that suit me are bright but when I wear bright colours I feel so uncomfortable and people even make comments like"wow that's bright!" So wtf do I wear??? I just feel so stuck! Any advice or commiserations would be very welcome.

I would just keep wearing them. I like bright lipstick and different eyeshadows and clothes etc and people often comment. Wear what you feel good in

I had my colours done and I'm a spring - bright warm colours.
Senior exec, so it was scary, but actually I look and feel better. And wearing bright red, or blue, or green makes you stand out. It's a positive thing.

Could you experiment with finding the right tone of neutral? Some shades of navy, grey and beige wash me out, others really work well.

I have to say I've just kept wearing them.

Sometimes people go wow that's bright, to which I reply "I know, I love it, it's so jolly" but mainly they are just nice or say nothing.

Try Reiss and French connection, they tend to have more neutrals as does Zara (sometimes) and masimo dutti

I know you say you don't like to stand out but if you like and suit bright colours you should go for it! Poor blokes in their samey white/blue/grey all the time
If anyone comments, say 'Thanks' with a big smile. It's only small talk.

You should wear what suits you.

I’m a big fan of bright colours for work - black and navy are boring without something bright to wake them up. Wear black trousers but with a pink, red or orange shirt. Bright coloured clothes can be as smart as black and navy.

Keep wearing them! I never wear black anyway, but I do wear navy, but some days just call for a bright orange/red. Yes, people do comment, but once you've worn it once that tends to be it.

Id keeps wearing them too. I look good in navy but like death warmed up in black. Even navy needs some added colour.

Thanks, all. I will try to be brave and wear them!

And the "transition period" is aways worse. Once people are used to you often wearing bright colours it won't be something to comment on anymore! I find it also helps to remember that if they didn't like it, they wouldn't say anything at all for fear of being rude

I do know what you mean. I'm a winter and deep jewel tones suit me but wearing a deep red dress would be a bit 'look at me!' in my office so I wear bold vest tops with grey or navy jackets and black trousers mostly. I do have green, red, teal jackets with white vest tops too. Basically it's my uniform but I wear some piece of colour every day or I just look tired.

I keep wearing the bright colours. I adore yellow (which makes me stand out even more in a male-dominated environment) but don’t think it has held me back: I am the youngest at my level (and the best paid) and have just been told I am about to be promoted.

Am saying all this partly because am still glowing at the promotion but also because I know that many of us worry “will I be taken seriously if I dress with a bit of personality?”

Congratulations on your promotion, Sigh81

Please keep wearing them. I wear bright colours to work in a professional/traditionally male dominated environment and prefer it to blending in with the sea of navy, black and beige.