Toss everything that isn’t black, tan or cream?

[NewClothes2025]

Doing a whole wardrobe clear out and getting overwhelmed with the amount of shite I’ve collected over the last few years. I lost a lot of weight recently so will be donating more than half of what I have, but the idea of replacing most of it is driving me nuts.

Thinking of just tossing it all and only keeping things that are black (most clothes), tan (coats and bags) and cream (few dresses, trousers and mostly jumpers). Feel these kinda go for most situations. Not a fan of blue jeans anymore either 🙈

Anyone else wear mostly black? Is it odd?

Well that's very sensible and I'm sure you will look very chic. But it doesn't exactly spark joy does it?

And I say this as someone who only wore black (until it started making me look like a corpse).

Do you not like actual colour?

None of those colours suit me so I definitely wouldn't do it! Do these colours suit you and make your face brighter? Are they parts of your favourite outfits? If you think of your best photos, what colours are you wearing? The answers to these would determine what I'd do :)

No, never did. Even as a child, my room was always neutral colors (my choice). Not sure what it is 🤣

Ooh I am very pale, that is something to consider 🙈

Didn’t Coco Chanel wear only black? Or someone like that?

I just want to add black is a very unforgiving colour. Only one stray hair on your shoulders would really stand out. And no dandruff please.

But if you love those colours, go for it! People look best when they’re wearing what they love and feel confident in.

So what about having your colours done? No idea what it entails but I think it’s very popular! Then maybe something (eg scarf or collar) next to your face?

Black all over looks nice on me (I have to wear all black for choir concerts) but I feel so boring in it. It can look very good on people and I wouldn't consider it weird, it's not massively uncommon for people to wear all black,

Not keeping at least one pair of blue jeans will be a mistake. They are so versatile and you’ll probably come round to liking them again. Plus, they look great with black jumpers.

I’m no fan of colour either, but I do have some grey, navy blue, dusty pinks (a neutral on me) and a bit of red.

Sounds a bit grim, bland, drab and boring.

Although on a recent visit to Rome last year the smartly dressed young stylish European people overwhelming wore nearly all black from head to foot. I felt I stuck out like a sore British thumb in my bright colours.

Maybe get your colours done first and see which colours you suit best before deciding to get rid of anything or buy new? That way if you get your colours done you will have more options of outfits that go well together.

You could nearly do your colours at home - take all your nice but coloured clothes to a mirror and hold them under your chin one by one. It should be fairly clear which make you look good!

I love doing wardrobes with people! Do you have a friend who is good with colours who could come over and have some sessions with you? I did it with one of my friends recently where she sat in front of a mirror (near a window) and we held up all her tops and dresses to her unmade up face so it was clear which colours worked well. She also did some trying on and we ditched what didn't fit her into the recycle pile. Anything she hadn't worn for a year was also ditched (except for special/wedding outfits).

When we looked at what was being kept, we put things together as whole outfits and put them back in the wardrobe. It was then clear what she needed to buy to fill the gaps and which colours they could be.

If you're a ditherer when sorting or become overwhelmed, a friend can be invaluable in moving things along and making it a less onerous task, especially if there are snacks to keep you going and the promise of wine when you've finished!

I’m a soft autumn

Am in the minority, but I think that’s not a bad idea if you keep the pieces you love, and get rid of the ones that don’t fit properly or suit your lifestyle anymore. It makes sense to keep pieces that work together. You could check out project 333 (Courtney) and maybe google/pinterest capsule wardrobe ideas.
you can always add back in colour/prints in the future if you want.
well done on weight loss btw!

In theory this is a good idea! Do those colours suit you?

i would keep a pair of jeans as you might change your mind on those especially in warmer months!

i have never had my colours done but there are several colours I just don't wear and don't own.

I do like some prints though but often dream of a chic, neutral wardrobe. I would include red though and some greens/beiges as neutrals

If you are autumn keep the cream, and tan, throw away black , and keep/buy autumn 🍂 colours. That’s always assuming you want to look your best.

I thought that people that can wear black is pretty limited - winter I think ?

I’m winter and black or navy look better on me than any other colour … when I did have a limited colour wardrobe though I soon got bored and bought more colours again - obviously unnecessarily expensive

maybe just divide up your wardrobe to give more space to the things you like ?

I just had a quick google for soft autumns and it comes up with some really classy sounding colour combinations ‘warm, muted, and earthy, including shades like soft browns, warm beiges, dusty pinks, muted yellows, sage greens, terracotta, apricot, and warm off-whites;’

Black isn’t an autumn colour then.

I'm someone who does look good in black, but even so, I find it's high maintenance in terms of making sure it doesn't get too faded, and that various black items are the right intensity to wear together. Unrelieved black does require more in terms of make up and jewellery.
Personally I don't suit cream or tan, but if they worked for me, I think I would add a few pieces of red or orange just to add a bit of variety.

You would probably want a few splashes of colour that suit you? Like some scarves or a couple of lovely timeless jumpers

This idea has actually really inspired me, I've been transitioning towards dressing in my 'colours' after many years of wearing a lot of black (and never liking how I looked and not realising why) and I've been struggling to put together outfits without having a 'neutral black' item in it - it's so ingrained. So I think I'm going to take all the remaining black items out of my wardrobe and put them in a storage bag and live without them out of sight for a few months, then sell whatever I don't end up digging back out at the end - thanks OP!

I dont like all black anymore and im an ex goth! i feel it looks like a funeral or Superdrug assistant. Black fades and cheap fabrics and bad cuts show more in neutral light colours. Plus, every 'chic' Pinterest gal is wearing black and tan. So it's not for me but if you want to, go ahead. It's certainly safe and acceptable. I agree on getting colours done it's like magic how the right colours brighten your face up even without make up.

I'm a warm spring so don't suit black either so try to limit it to trousers or if I'm going to wear a black coat I wear a scarf in a warmer colour or a big gold necklace failing that!

According to Kettlewell: Your best colours as a Soft Autumn are sage green, oyster white, palest old gold and warm grey.

Do you have anything in any of those colours?

My wardrobe is 90% black or navy. No prints. The odd stripe.
I like emerald green and red but hate pastels, anything pink or brown. No dresses or skirts either.
I used to work in fashion in the 80s and 90s but have zero interest now.