My name is Ash and although I have a 'style' blog (hollow laugh) I actually don't have much of a clue about style (or colour)!
Case in point - the interminable wardrobe sort-out continues (I doubt it will ever end actually - it's more of a journey through life) and here I am stumped on colours.
I need to ask you:
- do normal people have a rainbow of colours in their wardrobes - to which they (at point of purchase) were drawn, magpie like (and somehow make them work wonderfully together); or
- do normal people of my age know what suits them (how?) and stick only to those colours?
I like the grey/ beige / 'greige' / navy / camel / brown... but do they like me?
I've lost count of the number of times I've had a pink / red buying phase, decided later they didn't work, ebayed them (at loss), carried on happily in neutrals for a while, become bored with them, seen something pink again, bought it... and the cycle continues. I guess it doesn't help that I spend a fair amount of time dressed as a giant bumble bee.
As you will see from the photos below my clothes seem to be divided into two camps:
- Pink / red / coral; and
- The above mentioned 'greige' / navy. Both work in their own groups but never the twain shall meet - (red and taupe anyone, eww?!)
Anyhow, as you will probably have worked out by now if you have read any other posts, my purpose for being here is not so much to inform anyone else, but to discover what on earth I should wear!!
PS - Both White Company dresses from the other day returned to be exchanged for a cashmere poncho instead (taupe). I am fickle as well as clueless :-)
I think at this stage of my advancing years I have chosen to age disgracefully with no consideration for the fleecy jumpers and orthopaedic style shoes I should be wearing. I like to have fun and buy yellow clothes (my equivalent to your red) and then I switch back to my neutrals (blacks, greys, navy, beige). Oh - I'm just the same as you. Cool! We can be partners in fashion crime then :o)
ReplyDeleteEditing the wardrobe - brr - leaves me cold. I've been doing it for half a year and it looks worse than every. I've come to the conclusion that it's okay to actually have a wardrobe full of nice clothes to choose from rather than a lady with nothing to wear .... literally.
Yes to partners in fashion crime Sue (not that you commit many from what I've seen !)
DeleteI think your last line there is correct - must get the other half to construct a wardrobe extension.... x
I don't necessarily think that women in their 40's do know what to wear or how to wear it! We are led to believe that by now we should know what suits us and stick to a fashion formula, but there are many women out there who feel like they love fashion or want to look stylish but don't have a clue where to start. There is nothing wrong with wearing colour and being brave enough to do so, so don't sell off lovely stuff that you may want to wear at some point when you are bored with your neutrals. Its the time of year when clothing and everything else seems dull, it will all brighten up, along with our clothing colour palettes, come spring x
ReplyDeleteThat's good advice - thanks Sharron :-)
DeleteI think I have possibly been too hasty disposing of stuff in the past - but you're right - the seasons make such a difference! x
I was automatically drawn to your taupe/grey selection - can't resist those colours. Pink and purple are also my weakness, but I've now relegated them to accessories. I bought a bright cerise pink patent DKNY tote bag a few years ago which looks great in winter. The sales assistant gushed about what a lovely springtime bag it would be and was quite startled when I said I planned to wear it in winter. I've had tons of comments about it. It brightens up an otherwise dull palette and in fairness, it's good to have a pop of cheerful colours during the colder and darker months.
ReplyDeleteI think I agree - taupe for the basis and add colour as and when! That DKNY bag sounds a great buy! xx
DeleteAww i feel your pain! I had a good wardrobe audit about 18 months ago. I'm happiest in neutrals with a splash of colour. I have on one side of my wardrobe my 'black collection' and all the tops, scarves accessories on that side. On the other i have the Navy side and all the navy, blues that can only go with navy. In the middle i have my colours that go with both, so here i have beiges, geys, mulberrys, greens. But i have to say i don't have a lot in this section. I'm 35 and just starting to figure this whole thing out. I guess i have a uniform and start each day with skinny jeans and a vest, then go from there. Boring i know but it's what i feel comfortable in :) Loving your mulberry bag....
ReplyDeleteSharron x
Thanks so much for commenting Sharron - glad to know I'm not alone in my confusion!! Your uniform sounds a very good starting point :-) Your wardrobe sounds very organised - I'm envious!
DeleteFrom what I've seen you seem to suit navy and the neutrals. You are one of those women I envy who can carry off the shades of caramel look that I love on others because it looks expensive. I, however, closely resemble a corpse. I can't comment on the pinks because I don't think I've seen you wear much (I'm a recent reader)but you did look good in the boden cardigan. I must add that both groups of clothing looked great.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the comment! Lol at me looking 'expensive' but I'll try to accept the compliment! I must admit I am usually more drawn to navy and beige...
DeleteYou are so like me, I go through colour phases, I like to think like Picasso, I'm in raspberry at the moment. Nothing in my wardrobe matches, I am a magpie and will only buy what is cheap, so there is probably no hope for me.
ReplyDelete