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Calling those of us who love wearing bright colours/ patterns

124 replies

TwoMagnificentLabradors · 31/12/2022 16:00

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.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
21
Deathraystare · 10/01/2023 15:26

@FatandAlmostForty

You devil! You just made me buy some of those leggings. 2 pair to be exact! Go and sit in the naughty corner at once!

ChaToilLeam · 10/01/2023 15:37

I like black, white and grey, but also classic jewel colours. Beige looks terrible on me, so do pastels, and all these tan/saffron/khaki colours in the shops right now - just NO!

My main go-to is Gudrun Sjöden. Pricey but there are good sales twice a year and you can get a lot second hand as well - try EBay and FB selling groups.

Dilbertian · 10/01/2023 16:35

MintChocCornetto · 06/01/2023 12:27

Hello my people!

I like bright block/solid colour rather than patterns though I have a zebra stripe Nike sweatshirt I wear A LOT. I bought a lime green oversized shirt from New Look at Xmas and wore amy favourite cobalt blue jumper over it and it looked brilliant.

I need to work out what to do with my bottom half though, I tend to go for bright top half and normal jeans underneath.

I'm trying to wear my 'smarter' clothes more often instead of reverting to standard casual wear too. I'd like to branch into coloured trousers but I'm a bit nervous of looking stupid

Go for it! You won't look stupid, you'll just look different. We get it drummed into our heads that we should look a certain way, which can make us worried about being somehow wrong if we look different.

To ease you in, try wearing jeans in a solid non-jeansy colour, with a subdued top.

Look at these delicious colours - and some are on sale!

https://www.landsend.co.uk/WomensMiddRiseStraighttLegJeans/pp/PP41055.html?cgid=11324&dwvarP410555color=TAO

www.landsend.co.uk/Women/Trousers/Cord_Trousers/ix-11326?part=2#scroll=5903

https://www.landsend.co.uk/WomensHighhWaistedSlimmAnkleJeanss/pp/P40574.html?cgid=11324&dwvarr_P405744_color=NAT

Needsomethingtoread · 10/01/2023 16:47

RampantIvy · 06/01/2023 10:40

I had my colours done in the 1980s and was told I was a winter. I then had them done again just before covid and was told I was a jewel winter (back in the 1980s it was just the 4 seasons and they weren't subdivided). The only new revelation was that emerald green was one of my best colours, but everything else was pretty much the same.

I feel that it saves money because I do walk past swathes of clothes that I know won't suit me., and I can never buy clothes in autumn because all the dull, muted autumnal colours look awful on me.

I follow the colour consultant on Facebook and she always looks stunning - she is a jewel winter as well.

On the "how to look chic/expensive" threads posters always repeat the mantra of get a camel coat and wear tan boots and have a tan handbag.

No, no and thrice no!

Can I ask who it is you follow on Fb please? I’d love to follow and get some tips. I’m transitioning from highlighted hair to my natural dark brown with natural grey and icy platinum highlights so I’m struggling with my old colours and def need some tips.

RampantIvy · 10/01/2023 16:53

I follow the local House of Colour consultant. She certainly practises what she presches. Search for House of Colour Karina Leacock.

knitfastdieyoung · 10/01/2023 17:06

I banished black and grey from my wardrobe years ago. Although do still like navy (it goes with everything and flatters my hair colour.) Recently discovered I look amazing in coral. Who knew? It immediately gives me a 'just got off the beach tan' Grin

Bring on the colours!!

FatandAlmostForty · 10/01/2023 17:14

Deathraystare · 10/01/2023 15:26

@FatandAlmostForty

You devil! You just made me buy some of those leggings. 2 pair to be exact! Go and sit in the naughty corner at once!

Sorry not sorry! I have about 30 pairs currently!!!

ofwarren · 10/01/2023 18:01

FatandAlmostForty · 10/01/2023 14:44

So I am almost 40 and i have suddenly embraced leggings!

More to the point Lucy Lockett Loves Leggings!

locketloves.com/collections/all-activewear

Love it soooo weirdly wonderful and quirky and they make me smile!!

I love Lucy Lockett leggings.
I own a few pairs and bought some rainbow ones in the sale a few days ago.

Echobelly · 10/01/2023 18:06

I love colourful dressing and always have (except for a 'black and white' phase aged about 8!). I can't be bothered with being stylish or, God forbid, chic - don't get me wrong, these look great on some other people, but not me. I think my style maxim is close to what how a friend once brilliantly described hers - 'My ambition is to look like the 80s threw up on me' 😂A co-worker once described me as wearing 'happy clothes', which pleases me.

My favourite labels for colour are Joe Browns and Gudrun Sjoden, also Desigual or Save the Queen but those latter two I tend to only buy second hand on eBay as they're pricey.

I think one helpful guide to pattern is that you can get away with wearing two patterns fairly easily if one is very small and the other big, but they're in similar colourways. Or hell, just wear two big patterns or clash. 👏

OrangePomander · 10/01/2023 18:49

I’m a winter too, a jewel though I prefer the cool winter colours so tend to wear them more. I agree with a pp that I tend to dress brighter when I’m feeling better. I’m trying to address that at the moment. I always get compliments when I’m wearing bright lipstick but rarely bother.

OrangePomander · 10/01/2023 18:50

I quite like Sugarhill Brighton for bright knitwear at the moment

Thon · 10/01/2023 23:24

I’d be interested to know if wearing brighter colours has affected your mood for the better?

Iamthewombat · 10/01/2023 23:31

midsomermurderess · 31/12/2022 17:21

I have a lovely wooden red coat from Toast from several years ago. I rarely wore it as I thought perhaps it was too much. I’ve scarcely been out if it this winter having decided to embrace the colour. The sun set at 3.48 pm today. Enough with darkness.

A wooden coat ‘too much’? Never!

SausageMonkey2 · 11/01/2023 00:11

Scamp and dude.

Amiable · 11/01/2023 00:58

Oooh, finally a thread in S & B I feel at home in!

I am 52, size 20 and don't own a single item of plain black clothing at all - not even shoes!

I mostly buy on eBay - Monsoon and Gudrun Sjoden are favourites, but I've recently discovered Joanie Clothing and bought a few things in their sale including these

joanieclothing.com/freyja-mushroom-print-midaxi-dress.html

joanieclothing.com/dawn-oporter-x-joanie-sunrise-psychedelic-print-midaxi-dress-citrus.html

joanieclothing.com/diane-paisley-print-long-sleeve-wrap-dress.html

Life is just too short - I also currently have pink hair, why the fuck not?!

Whatthediddlyfeck · 11/01/2023 10:00

Thon · 10/01/2023 23:24

I’d be interested to know if wearing brighter colours has affected your mood for the better?

This is kind of in reverse, but I find that wearing black pulls me down, but I don’t know if that’s to do with me associating it with my overweight days🤷🏼‍♀️, I much prefer navy

Thon · 11/01/2023 10:03

Whatthediddlyfeck · 11/01/2023 10:00

This is kind of in reverse, but I find that wearing black pulls me down, but I don’t know if that’s to do with me associating it with my overweight days🤷🏼‍♀️, I much prefer navy

Show quote history

Yes I think I’m the same. I love black or thought I did, but it is draining.

MintChocCornetto · 11/01/2023 10:06

Dilbertian · 10/01/2023 16:35

Go for it! You won't look stupid, you'll just look different. We get it drummed into our heads that we should look a certain way, which can make us worried about being somehow wrong if we look different.

To ease you in, try wearing jeans in a solid non-jeansy colour, with a subdued top.

Look at these delicious colours - and some are on sale!

https://www.landsend.co.uk/WomensMiddRiseStraighttLegJeans/pp/PP41055.html?cgid=11324&dwvarP410555color=TAO

www.landsend.co.uk/Women/Trousers/Cord_Trousers/ix-11326?part=2#scroll=5903

https://www.landsend.co.uk/WomensHighhWaistedSlimmAnkleJeanss/pp/P40574.html?cgid=11324&dwvarr_P405744_color=NAT

Show quote history

I have just bought some orange Lucy and yak dungarees for £20 from vinted - it starts!

I think I will try and ease myself in with wearing shades of the same colour

I've person I follow for inspiration (I'm a runner which is how I found her originally on Facebook) is Totes Inappropes. Now I wouldn't dare wear some of the stuff she does but she does make it look excellent.

Mommybunny · 11/01/2023 18:20

I had to smile when I read the OP day she was abandoning French style and embracing colour - some of my favourite pieces are a bright green ba&sh blouse and a fuschia Tara Jarmon skirt. Also an Essentiel Antwerp leopard print blouse with lots of different coloured dots scattered round (Belgian, but French-adjacent).

But I tend to wear them with the other piece in a neutral. I work in a fairly conservative office which has influenced my choices.

Oldraver · 11/01/2023 19:32

I have a lovely coat in the same bright green as the JL jumper

It makes me so happy to wear it

nopuppiesallowed · 17/05/2023 19:45

I'm warm spring and my favourite colours are yellow and orange. Loads of compliments when I wear those. I've even got yellow jeans....and they make me feel happy. I hate winter when the shops are full of black and harsh reds and purples.....

AnnieSnap · 17/05/2023 22:49

I’m loving that it’s the season of bright colours to @Snippysocks I make my own clothes and have bought two orange and pink fabrics. One is a very 60s retro swirls pattern for a dress, the other more geometric. That one will become Palazzo pants 🙂

NatashaDancing · 18/05/2023 00:59

AnnieSnap · 31/12/2022 21:43

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.

You look fabulous.