Shop Smart: Deciding on Color

We we dive into the change of seasons, it’s Shop Smart Month here at DC Style Factory! The first step to shopping with purpose involves knowing what fits and flatters your shape, defining your personal style, and understanding what suits your lifestyle. Once you have silhouettes, fabrics, and specific essentials down, you can incorporate the next step — color strategy.

To create a functional wardrobe, you will want to decide on a color palette for your wardrobe before your shop. When we shop with clients, the colors have to come together effortlessly. We nix any outliers that will be hard to mix and match. (Note: The steps below do not tell you if you what colors are best for you.)

Here is a quick, easy guide to creating a closet and style where all your pieces effortlessly go together.

1.) Start with a dark primary neutral — black or navy blue? This neutral will anchor your wardrobe. (Hint: black is the easiest.) Your wardrobe essentials should be in this color. This includes trousers, jackets, and sleeveless blouses for layering.

2.) Add secondary, contrasting neutrals. You will select a neutral that contrasts with your primary neutral. The way we go is a blouse (sleeveless) and casual tops in cream or white, trousers in grey, and shoes in grey, nude or beige. Skip navy blue and dark brown that don’t easily match with anything and everything.

3.) Select accent colors that also go with your primary neutral. Whether you select colors like burgundy, cobalt blue, blush pink, and emerald green. If you selected black, skip yellow to avoid the bumblebee effect.  These accent colors are easiest in shoes and  base layer tops, but you can also do in a jacket/blazer.