Calling those of us who love wearing bright colours/ patterns

[TwoMagnificentLabradors]

At 44, I’ve finally realised that it’s going to take more than a neutral palette for me to look like Amanda from Motherland or daringly French. So I’ve decided to embrace my love of colour and even patterns. This winter ( after a no-spend year), I’ve treated myself to bright cashmere sweaters in berry and green, patterned skirts, a Palava dress, bright tights and a neon pink cashmere beret. I realise I’m skirting perilously close to looking like a kids TV presenter ( although I do dilute with plain tops and footwear, and don’t wear everything at once). But I actually feel so much better about how I look. And, for the first time in years I’m getting complimented on my clothes, and even being told how well I look. Wish I’d given up on Gallic sophistication years ago.

Here are links to a couple of favourites:

www.johnlewis.com/hush-tilly-cashmere-jumper-bright-green/p109099417

www.collectiflondon.com/Mobile/en/Collectif-Womenswear-Jasmine-Rainbow-Wave-Swing-Skirt/m-m-7451.aspx

www.hobbs.com/product/tilda-wool-coat/0222-3528-1049L00-WARM-PLUM.html?dwvar_0222-3528-1049L00-WARM-PLUM_color=4085#q=Tulsa&is=false&sz=60&start=0&isSecondPage=false&pid=0222-3528-1049L00-DARK-GREEN&pos=2

palava.co/collections/womens-dresses/products/cynthia-navy-constance-spry-dress

Anyone else love colourful dressing? Any hints and tips for a beginner, or good outlets to try, gratefully received.

Oh wonderful!!!! They all look fab.

I’ve been swinging between patterns/colours and neutrals for ages.

keep coming back to neutrals because they are so easy. Then I switch back to patterns/colour because I was more fun!

I dunno what I’m doing!

I've always loved bright colours and always worn them, they suit me and make me happy.

I have a few bright dresses from Hush, and recently got a lovely green Ghost sweater (from John Lewis).

www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb

have you tried this?

I love Lands End for cords, jeans and cotton tops. Not the patterned ones, but the solid colour ones. The colours are rich and wash really well. And the supima cotton is like silk against my sensitive post-menopausal skin.

What a lovely dress @Brontosaurus !

I wouldn't say I like bright colours, but I do like intense colours, like petrol blue, emerald, jade, violet, purple, indigo, burgundy, raspberry, crimson and saffron.
I mostly dye clothes exactly the right shades I want, as I don't often see them in shops.
Despite the rules, I wear them with black and also charcoal.
Beiges, taupes, white, pastels, all make me look like a corpse.

I don't wear a lot of patterns. When I do, they are fairly loud, and I have some extremely ostentatious boots that make me very happy.

Currently wearing this merino jumper. Makes me happy 😄

I had my colours done by House of Colour some years ago and I’m a “paintbox spring”.

I’ve spent the past few years gradually replacing all of the items where the colours don’t suit me, and now my wardrobe really does look like that of a CBBC presenter, but everything looks really good on me.

Its so obvious to me now that black, and anything muted or milky coloured make me look like death warmed up.

The green jumper in your OP is in my colour palette, I may have to buy it!

I love colour. Definitely get more compliments when I'm wearing something bright and unusual. Treated myself to this wrap early on this year :) 🌈

Oh that's gorgeous
Where is it from?

@ofwarren it's from a designer called Kitty Joseph, but I don't think it's on the website anymore.

Love brights, love massive/interesting prints. Quick thoughts on places to buy:

COS and Arket often do really good block brights - you can filter by colour on the website.
Kemi Telford has amazing prints (tho I think I remember some folks here saying they'd had issues with returns?)
Pink City Print - mainly froufy dresses but great colours and block prints.
Monki is great for this stuff - think it gets overlooked a bit here because they target a younger customer, but I love their patterns.
Benetton still has lots of nice block brights.

I love the choices you link in your first post @TwoMagnificentLabradors especially the last dress. I love colour. I do wear neutrals occasionally, but I would never dress in black, without some serious colour with it.

Hi @TwoMagnificentLabradors i love bright colours too! 🤩
In Next they have a gorgeous bright pink coat and a green one which i'm hoping will go on sale!

I never wear black (except interview trousers or to funerals) or white or cream or beige/brown/tan.

I don't suit yellow or orange but I always wear colour. Reds blues, purples mostly.

I love stripes, tartan, paisley patters, checks, florals and butterflies, retro pop/rock stuff.

Life is short.

Have a look at Gudrun Sjoden OP.
I was tempted by this in the sale earlier. There's loads of great stuff in the current sale. I've got a few of her cardigans, a coat and a dress. Love her stuff!
www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/clothes/tunics/product-121611-dark-hydrangea-s

Some great ideas here- thanks so much.
AnnieSnap I love your style! You look great in those pictures and your hair works brilliantly with it. I had a pixie cut a few years back and you’ve tempted me to revisit the cut.

I had my colours done a few years ago and found out I suit loads of bright colours, even though I'm pale skinned. I actually suit the same colours as my young son (no surprise) so have more confidence buying primary colours that suit toddlers 😀

Getting a lot more into wearing bright/patterned dresses, I feel more put together and get more compliments. Second the Monki comment had a couple of lovely dresses from there, a couple of good ones from Tu Sainsburys as well!

Have you looked at Popsy dresses?

@Giggorata thanks! Just need to get to summer so I can actually wear it!

I'm always interested when I read about people having their colours done. I tried working it out myself and didn't get very far.

Another colour and pattern fan here. I've found Scamp and Dude good for sweatshirts (they have dresses and jumpers as well but I haven't tried them).

I don’t do tons of print or colour for myself massively but Im hoping to branch out more. I do like the clash of colours - pink and red, green and turquoise etc with some animal print thrown in. There’s a lot of both in the Netflix show Emily in Paris if you want inspiration. You should check out Essential Antwerp who are all about the colour. I love this look but honestly fear I do not have the social life to warrant the cost.

www.essentiel-antwerp.com/uk/new-collection/sweaters-cardigans

I love this skirt on brand alley …

Love the green jumper!

Im home in Melbourne for the break and treated myself to some colourful sandals.

I’m obsessed with colour!

@AnnieSnap love the skirt!

I'm another that enjoys adding some colour.

United colours of Benetton (if they are still going), nobody's child and Cath Kidson I like.

Also Mango and eBay for some interesting finds.

@Divebar2021 I hadn’t heard of Essential Antwerp. I’ve had a look and there is some lovely stuff. Sadly, I couldn’t justify the prices. It’s also interesting to see 95% Polyester (not recycled) at £230 for a top 😲