My Quest for a Colorful Closet

I have been trying to get more color into my wardrobe for years. My darling teenage daughter is always after me to “lighten up a bit and wear some color”. Well, it’s not like I haven’t been trying - my mission when embarking upon a shopping excursion is to buy at least one item of color. My purchasing criteria are basic: stylish + flattering + colorful (usually, the three quickly become two – guess which criteria gets axed quickly?) Although, I’m open to a variety of styles and trying new looks, the colorful items just don’t look so hot – unflattering cuts or styles or simply just too much going on. It has become clear to me that black is like a concealer (it can hide a multitude of sins in both the garment and body) and color like a highlighter (you have to be careful how you wear it.) Was it too much to ask to find something stylish in a haute hue, that fit me well?

So shopping trip after shopping trip I returned home and my family would ask to see what I bought and then the comment, “You bought black again?” Ease up family, I threw in some charcoal and chocolate brown. Now, please note that after many years of wearing these neutrals, it was natural for this to become my comfort zone – it’s easy, familiar and it feels good. However, I never gave up on my mission, in the interim I simply employed another strategy to infuse color into my look. Using a neutral outfit (yes, I mean black) as the base, I built color into my look using some of my favorite seasonal colorful accessories: a red wool coat, a bright salmon trench, a variety of colorful scarves, a red patent leather handbag, and my new favorite spring fashion accessory - a fabulous orange patent leather tote!

Well, the day came this spring while preparing for a photo shoot for the new LifetimeMoms website when I could not dismiss my “colorful” criteria. I had to buy a garment in a color that would “pop” on the site. So off to the store I went with a strategy. I was meeting a personal shopper, Carol, who knows my style – I love a simple dress with clean lines and a flattering cut. Well, after trying on about 30 dresses, it started clicking – the deeper she dug, the more we discovered! Finally, stylish, shapely, simple dresses with just the right depth of color – Amethyst, Partybluprints Blue, Cherry Red, and Perfectly Pink in Dupioni Silk. So instead of just buying one, I took the plunge and bought them all. This was my opportunity to add color to my closet!

Ps. Working with a personal shopper, Ida, at another shop, I picked up some casual spring and summer outfits – cornflower blue capris paired with a tank with a touch of the same blue, blue patterned dresses (maxi and mini), deep spring green capris paired with a colorful tank, and some colorful spring sweaters.

I am embracing color this spring and summer season in a way that feels good to me!