How To Create a Cohesive Wardrobe with Color
About two years ago, I began following a woman on Instagram whose page was dedicated to shopping within a specific color palette and it changed my life forever.
Start with the basics
These pieces should be timeless and fit well. Depending on your current career or lifestyle, these pieces will vary from person to person but I recommend a pair of good fitting jeans, a nice coat and a good dress that can be used for multiple occasions.
Add in fun pieces
Once you’ve acquired some of the basics, start adding in fun pieces (‘bits of flare’) that reflect your personal style and in colors that look best against your skin tone.
Shop within a specific color palette
Shopping within a specific color palette is KEY to building a cohesive wardrobe. Think about packing for a vacation. Ideally, you should be able to pack a mix of shirts, pants, shorts and/or skirt and they would all pair with one another. Shopping within a specific color palette can also help with impulse shopping.
What colors do you like?
But what color palette should you shop? First, take note of four or five colors you like. From there, identify the colors that compliment your current skin tone and eye color. The best way to do this is to try things on. Or take inspiration from celebrities or influencers that have similar coloring. Take note of colors that look best on them. Create a Pinterest board of your favorite pieces or outfits. Some color analysts suggest shopping within a specific ‘season’ when it comes to shopping a specific color palette.
Make Adjustments
For example, you love pink but hot pink ‘drowns’ out your complexion. You can keep pink in your wardrobe but choose a pink that fit fits your color palette and that compliments your complexion. Sub out hot pink for a pastel or mauve.
Organize
Once you’ve decided on a color palette, organize your closet by color and pull any piece that doesn’t fit your decided upon palette. Your closet should look cohesive, not like a fitting room return rack.
Replace and shop!
Now that you have your current closet in place, you will need to replace some of the items you’ve pulled. Time to go shopping! When shopping in-store, look specifically for colors that fit your palette. Bring a few pieces from home with you to try on with items you pull from the rack to make sure the colors pair well with one another. When shopping online, filter your selections by color so you don’t get distracted by pieces you don’t need.
Remember: it’s a work in progress
It’s ok to purchase some black and white pieces if you can pair them with colors that complement your color palette. Or pair black and white pieces with colorful accessories. Remember, your closet is a constant work-in-progress so enjoy your time shopping and discovering new colors and pieces.