Color Play - A Pinterest Fall Color Palette

I have been collecting color palettes on Pinterest for quite a while, so I thought it would be fun to revisit that board and see what I could pull up for a fun fall color combination. This is the pin I drew my inspiration from and I used the swatch labeled Fall Fashion. I liked all the color combos, but I guess I wasn’t feeling overly adventurous, so went with the more conservative of the bunch.

This is a rich, earthy combination for fall, and I like how the green and brown are more sedate while the bright blue is a lovely pop of color. When I saw the color swatch I knew the olive would be a good color choice for a topper, as I have a number of sweaters and jackets in that color.

My faux leather moto jacket is an older Christopher and Banks piece. I like that it is simple, light weight and it has stretchy cloth panels on both sides and along the backs of the sleeves. They no longer seem to make these types of jackets, but always keep an eye out at thrift stores. In addition, real leather is always more suitable for longer wear and tear. Be sure to check out the Jacket Maker website for quality leather pieces at more reasonable prices.

I added this thrifted green scarf, because fall is always a good time for a scarf! This was a fun find as I didn’t have too many green scarves and I love the delicate look of it.

I was also dressing for an Instagram challenge today and the theme had to do with bling. This cute joei & i “Blessed” top was a gift from my oldest a few years ago and I do love it. It is the perfect weight for a cool fall day, and the sparkle makes it top notch in my book. You can also see the necklace I added. One can never have too many accessories on at one time, right? Ha, ha. In reality, if this was a work outfit, I would most likely take the jacket and scarf off while at the office, so the necklace works.

I have worn this skirt multiple times on the blog. It is St. John’s Bay brand and was purchased from JCPenney a number of years ago. You can see this skirt paired with a spotted tee, a bookish vest, and more recently a fringe vest.

My boots are second hand old, but they are real suede, so with a little TLC I will keep them indefinitely. They are a brand called Kelly & Katie.

My blue cross body bag is thrifted Tignanello brand.

Do you think these colors work well together? What colors from the Pinterest Autumn palette did you like best? Please leave a comment or two. I appreciate your input.

I’m including a few shopping links for block heeled boots, tiered skirts and faux leather moto jackets. These are affiliate links brought to you at no extra cost. All opinions are my own.

I hope you are having a great week!

Shopping Our Closets: Fall Florals

I don’t know about you, but I love the rich, vibrant colors of fall. Unlike spring and summer when we focus more on white, navy and all manner of pastels, fall allows us to indulge in dark maroons and earthy browns; golden yellows and rusty oranges. I love floral pieces in any season, but I especially love the dark florals of fall and winter. I am hoping you have a few fall florals in your closets and you will join me in putting together an outfit with those pieces as a focal point. Whether it is a top, a scarf, a bag or a skirt, fall florals make for outfits that are fun, whimsical and stylish.

For my fall floral I chose a thrifted Croft & Barrow tee. The rusty background, pinky reds in the flowers and the black leaves are a perfect choice for this fall look.

This top is just a basic Croft & Barrow tee. It fits well, and is perfectly comfy. It is a great piece for these early fall days where the temps are starting to get cooler, but it isn’t yet full on sweater weather yet.

I also chose simple beaded jewelry in similar fall tones.

I was going for a casual look, so chose jeans as my bottoms, but you could easily dress this up with a pair of black dress pants, or a rust or white colored skirt. These thrifted, boot-cut jeans are Apt. 9 brand.

My fun duster was a purchase from Cracker Barrel General Stores a few years ago. They always have beautiful holiday displays of their products and fun seasonal clothing. I would buy many more pieces there, but I just have a hard time paying full retail prices for anything I don’t really need. This is a brand called Linda Anderson.

My accessories really completed this casual look. I chose my thrifted Converse sneakers, my burgundy saddle bag purse, and an oversized, light weight, thrifted scarf. I like how the scarf has a similar color vibe to the tee, yet it is completely different. It also makes for a fun print mix.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you have any fall florals in your closet? If so, what sort of pieces do you have? I think it would be fun to style a fall outfit around a floral bag, scarf, skirt or dress. Let me know you thoughts.

I hope you enjoyed this post and that it provided a bit of inspiration for you in shopping your closet to build a fall outfit around a fall floral piece.

I’m including a few fall florals, bags and scarves below. These are affiliate links brought to you at no extra cost. If you purchase an item through one of my links, I get a few cents. I appreciate all you do to support the blog.

I hope you are having a great week!

Color Play: Pantone Autumn/Winter NY Palette - Tomato Cream, Moonstruck and Buckthorn Brown

Today I am combining the last three colors from the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette. Tomato Cream will definitely remind you of the familiar soup. I still have cans of Campbell’s Tomato Soup in my pantry and use them regularly. My mom always used water to make the soup when I was growing up, but when I got married to a Wisconsin man who loved dairy I learned to use half a can of milk and half a can of water, or if I have skim milk, I use a full can. It makes the soup creamier and it takes on this orangey red color.

Moonstruck is a medium gray and reminds me of the gray skies of fall and winter that just hang around, but don’t produce any rain or snow. For this sufferer of Seasonal Affective Disorder those gray clouds are the worst! Just rain or snow, already. Ha, ha.

Buckthorn Brown is an earthy sunshine color. It tends towards yellowish gold, but is not truly yellow. I think their idea was buckskin, but without the bad press that animal skins or prints have for many people. I do not have an issue with leather, but I do prefer it is sustainably and responsibly sourced. Fast fashion is not good for our environment and certainly not for animals who are used just to make a buck…pardon the pun! That being said, I do like this color. It is a nice change from our darker browns, and gives our wardrobes a peppy vibe.

My outfit for these last three colors is very casual. This is more in line with my every day looks, so for those of you who are not working, or are working from home, this might be for you.

To see the actual Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette colors just click on the link. I do the best I can to match the colors with what I have in my closet, so they differ slightly.

My Tomato Cream Tahari open front cardigan was a clearance find from TJMaxx a few years ago. You can see how I styled that with a white sleeveless sweater, a fall graphic tee, and in a monochrome fall look from last year.

My Gloria Vanderbilt Moonstruck jeans have been around for a while. It seems every time there is a Pantone series, I bring these out as there is always some sort of gray. You can see them styled with a red and white striped tee, and with a red plaid blazer.

Buckthorn Brown is really more of a brownish gold or yellow, but I thought this Sonoma tee from Kohl’s was a pretty good match. Kohl’s has always been a great place to find basics like short and long sleeve tees, pullover sweaters for the cooler weather and fun tees with holiday motifs. I don’t shop there much any more due to my lack of need for clothing, and due to my love of thrifting. Ha, ha.

I kept my accessories pretty minimal. My necklace was a more recent thrift find, and might seem a little to fancy for this casual look, but I like the contrast of dressy and casual, and the color goes well with the Tomato Cream cardi.

I chose blue for my bag and my sneakers, just to play off the blue flowers in the tee. My bag is an old thrift find, a brand called Nine & Co. My sneakers are Keds.

What do you think of these colors? What did you think of this fall’s New York palette? What colors were your favorites? I’d love to get your feedback, so leave me a comment or two.

I’m including a few shopping links. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Shopping Our Closets: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 NY - Red Orange, Scarlet Smile and Baritone Blue

The best part about having a closet full of color is that I can almost always come close to matching the Pantone color palettes, whether for spring or fall. I do try to come as close as possible to the palette colors, but it is not a science. It is meant to be a fun exercise in trying new color combinations that you might not normally try.

Today’s outfit is a fun combination of Red Orange, Scarlet Smile, and Baritone Blue. I think this look would be great for work, or for a fall festival or party.

For this outfit I started with this recently thrifted Notations prairie skirt. It has the Red Orange color throughout. I am a sucker for tiered maxi skirts and especially like the boho feel of the fall colored print. Seeing as the skirt has a variety of colors I am looking forward to trying out a few other ways to style this. It is light weight, so for this shoot I added a slip, but that’s just my personal preference. In the cooler weather I would also add heavier tights.

I had a different top picked out that leaned more towards a reddish pink, but looking at Scarlet Smile again, I opted for this men’s Van Heusen, plaid, short sleeve number. It gives the look a touch of a masculine feel. You certainly could make it much more feminine by choosing a top with ruffles, lace or puffy sleeves.

To bring in the darker classic Baritone Blue, which is basically navy, I chose my Sonoma utility jacket from Kohl’s with the embroidered sleeves. I thought the embroidery added a nice element and pulled the whole look together.

Once I had the outfit figured out, it was an easy choice to add a simple bead and metal necklace in the Red Orange color, my brown, thrifted combat boots, and my thrifted Simple Vera, Vera Wang, bag. Unfortunately, once I was finished with the shoot this bag went in the dumpster. I know of no way to stop the fake leather bags from peeling. If anyone knows a cure, let me know. Ha, ha.

What do you think of these colors? do you have any of these in your closet? Would you wear these colors together? I love to hear your thoughts, so be sure to take the time to comment.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Outfit Inspiration: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 NY Palette: Italian Plum, Winter Sky, and White Swan

This week’s inspiration came from the Pantone Color Institute’s Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette. The three colors I am featuring were fairly easy to find in my wardrobe. My colors may not match spot on, but they are close enough. Feel free to look at the exact colors as given by the Pantone company by clicking on the above link. This week the two main palette colors are the dark purple called Italian Plum, and the blue called Winter Sky. The creamy color is from the classics palette and is called White Swan.

My Italian Plum corduroy jacket is a thrifted Christopher & Banks piece. It is actually a petite large, but I like that it has more of a cropped look. I like the different seams on this piece, and corduroy is perfect for cooler weather.

Style Tip: Shop sizes outside your normal because sizing is different across many manufacturers, and you might like how the piece looks if it is a bit shorter, longer or oversized.

Here are a few possibilities, but there isn’t much out there in this color.

My polka dot Winter Sky top is another Christopher & Banks piece that I bought on a sale back when we had a store in our area. A chambray piece the purple dots were a fun addition to the normal denim style shirt.

My light colored White Swan pants are Croft & Barrow brand from Kohl’s clearance a few years ago. They are plain and simple and sometimes that is just what an outfit calls for.

Style Tip: Not every outfit needs pants or skirts that are texturized or embellished. Sometimes, the simpler the better. Plain pants are typically better for work if you don’t have a uniform provided by the company.

I kept my accessories fairly simple as well. I opted for tan as my color of choice for both my bag and boots since that seems to be trending this fall. I also chose silver as my jewelry color.

What do you think of these Pantone colors? I love purple anyway, so this darker color is a fave, especially for fall. Do you think the a chambray shirt would have worked with this purple jacket and lighter colored pants even if it didn’t have the purple dots on it?

I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know your thoughts on these colors. Have a great week!

Shopping links are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own.

Color Play: Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 - Golden Palm, Lucent White and Raw Umber

I have decided to revisit the Pantone Color series that I have done in the past. You know how I love color and trying new ways of combining colors in outfits that not only stand out, but that make us feel comfortable and confident. I am going to start with the New York Palette, after which I will decide if I am going to continue with the London Palette or move on to other things.

If you are not familiar with the Pantone Color Institute, they are “recognized globally as a leading source of color expertise.” (Pantone home page.) They work across many disciplines and areas to provide color inspiration and education. The fashion industry is just one of many areas where Pantone has input. Every year they typically post two seasonal color palettes, one for Spring/Summer and one for Autumn/Winter. These palettes vary between two main fashion centers - New York and London.

As I have done in the past, I am going to combine three colors in each outfit; two from the main color palette and one from the classics color palette. Today’s outfit revolves around the following colors: Golden Palm, a bright mustardy yellow; Lucent White, a bright, pure white; and Raw Umber, a medium earthy brown.

It always seems to be the case that when I am going to take pictures of fall outfits it is hot and humid! Ha, ha. It was almost 90 when I took these pictures, so if I seem to be glowing that is why.

The inspiration for this outfit actually came from a piece of artwork hanging in the little apartment we rented on our last getaway to central Ohio. These two pieces of artwork hung in the bedroom, and so I took a couple of pictures, knowing I would use them for outfit inspiration at some point. How fun that three of the colors were on the Pantone Autumn/Winter 2024 New York Palette!

The first piece I chose for this outfit was the Golden Palm Sonoma tee. I have had this for years. A thrifted piece, I have used it in other outfits on the blog. You can see it with a brown cardigan, a snakeskin print skirt, a purple skirt, and an embroidered denim jacket.

This picture also shows you a close up of the jewelry I chose for this look. I thought the white owl, and the pearly gold mix of the bracelets tied in quite well with the skirt.

My Lucent skirt is another piece I have had for a number of years. I love a tiered maxi as it speaks to my inner boho soul. This one is especially fun with its lace and textured details. This is St. John’s Bay from JC Penney. You can see how I styled this on the blog before with a striped tee, a pink striped sweater, a green top and jacket, and a brown moto jacket.

My cropped, Raw Umber, denim jacket is a newer piece. I bought this last year from Kohl’s and it is Sonoma brand.

For my accessories, besides my white jewelry, I chose my colorful, fall-ish tote bag. This is a Simply Vera, by Vera Wang piece that I found on clearance at Kohl’s a number of years ago. I also added my thrifted brown combat boots.

What do you think of Golden Palm, Lucent White and Raw Umber? Do you have any of these colors in your closet? What other colors do you think any of these would look good with? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I always enjoy hearing from you!

I am providing a few shopping links for similar items. These shopping links are brought to you at no additional cost. These affiliate links which when purchased through a link gives me a few cents as a commission. All opinions are my own.

Color Play - Building Outfits Around an Abstract Print Skirt

I have been wanting to build an outfit around this pretty abstract print maxi skirt ever since I thrifted it a few seasons ago. In order to get a bit outside my normal jeans and tees kind of casual outfits, I have been purposefully meandering through my maxi skirts in an effort to build a few fun, summer outfits that would work for backyard bbq’s, dressy casual dates with a friend or significant other, work or a more casual summer wedding. Today, I am showing you two different outfits using the same skirt.

Outfit 1 - Dressed Up

This skirt is a brand called Maeve by Anthropololgie. The outer layer is cotton, and it has an attached slip, making it easy to wear with no show through. The wide elastic band is comfortable, and easily covered with a wide belt, as you’ll see in the next outfit.

My bright pink jacket is a Chico’s thrift find. It is actually a petite, but I don’t have a super long torso, so I occasionally can get away with a petite size. You don’t really notice, especially if the sleeves are rolled up.

My tank top was a St. John’s Bay basic that I got at JC Penney a few seasons ago. I was excited to see it matched the blue in the skirt spot on. Of course with this skirt you could use pink, orange, white or black, or even mix it up with a totally different color like mint green, or sunflower yellow. That is exactly why I like to call this monthly column, Color Play, to stretch our minds as to what sorts of colors go together.

The jewelry wasn’t made to go together, but they certainly work well together. The necklace I got a few months ago at my favorite thrift store around the corner. The bracelet was a clearance purchase probably from Kohl’s or Penneys.

I have had this Relic canvas tote for a number of years, and it is a great work horse for summer. While I regularly carry a cross body bag, I occasionally reach for a tote bag to run to the coffee shop or library, or when packing for a trip. Sorry about the bits of cat hair. You can’t have a pet without there being a bit of fall out, especially in these warm temps. Ha, ha.

Our silly curmudgeon, Plato Aristotle Radcliffe Christensen. A large cat had to have a large name!

I had to rummage through my shoe boxes to find these cute espadrilles. These are Chaps brand and were a Kohl’s purchase a few years ago.

Outfit 2 - More Casual

I couldn’t resist doing a bit of print mixing with this fun skirt, and polka dots and embroidery seemed a great companion for the abstract print.

Both of these pieces were second hand finds. Like so many pieces that I thrift, I don’t always have an idea in mind of what they are going to go with, but find I am pleasantly surprise when things line up. My button down is Jones New York Sport, and the embroidered vest is Van Heusen. I’ve heard of Van Heusen in men’s shirts, but this is clearly a women’s vest, although a man might like it as well, but it is cut more for a feminine body. Walmart and a few other stores carry this brand.

I decided to add a wide belt for this look. Another thrift find, this wide braided belt is a soft material that adds interest and texture. I thought the belt and my Vera Wang bag were a good match. You can also see I swapped out the black pendant necklace for my lovable owl, and replaced the metal and bead bracelet for some fun white and gold stretchies.

I chose my denim Keds as a way to compliment the vest and create more continuity to a busy printed outfit.

So which look do you like better? Would you have purchased a skirt like this? Do you have any skirts in your closet that you are just not sure how to style? I hope this post gave you a little inspiration for shopping your closet and thinking outside your color box.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of my links I get a tiny percent. I appreciate every click and purchase. All opinions are my own and you are not charged anything extra for purchasing through my site.

Thank yo for all you do. I hope you are having a great week.

Color Play: Building an Outfit Around a Bag

When I found this cute color block bag on a recent thrift store run, I knew I had to style an outfit around it. The colors are perfect for spring, summer and fall, and for me, the size is just right. I have gotten away from carrying large bags, because they tend to bother my shoulders. Even a cross body bag that is larger becomes problematic because I put too much stuff in it. You know the saying, “If it’s big, fill it up!” Ha, ha. I may have just made that up.

Aren’t the colors on this piece so cute? This has no brand name on it anywhere.

There were lots of choices I could have went with for an outfit. For a little while I was looking at a white maxi, but decided to save that for another day. I also pulled out a pair of coral pants, but ended up with the look you see here.

For this look I decided to have a similar color block vibe to the bag. I am looking forward to using this bag again for inspiration with a print mixing outfit.

I was pretty sure I wanted to use this thrifted teal blazer as it matched so well with the bag. Obviously this is a great outfit for these spring days where the temps fluctuate, but once summer hits the heavier layers will disappear. This blazer is a brand called Weekenders. It is a medium weight with a longer silhouette, and textured cuffs that match the shawl lapels.

Once I decided on the white Gloria Vanderbilt jeans that I have had for years, and can still squeeze into…and I do mean squeeze…I knew I wanted a coral piece to match the coral in the bag, so I chose this thrifted Cherokee shell, which I decided to use as a knit vest.

I also wanted to add a little black, so decided on this thrifted Chaps blouse with polka dots. Once I had that the only jewelry I added was this fun pendant necklace I found at the second hand shop around the corner.

I have always like the classy look of oxford shoes, so I pulled out this black patent leather pair I have from my days as an assistant manager at the bookstore. These are a brand called Sugar.

Do you have a bag that you can use to inspire an outfit? Have you ever tried building an outfit around a fun, colorful bag? What do you think of this outfit? Would you wear something like this? I would love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links for you. I bring these to you at no extra cost. These are affiliate links which means I get a few cents if you click on a link, and a bit more if you purchase something through one of the links I provide. I appreciate all your support. All opinions are my own.

Have a super week!

Color Play: Building an Outfit Around a Jacket

It has been a while since I have done a Color Play post. You know I love color and finding creative ways to put colors together that might not be typical color combo choices. Today’s look revolves around a heavy weight plaid shacket that I got from Maurice’s last year when they had end of the season clearance. They always have such good prices on their clearance items, but you have to act fast because sizes and styles disappear quickly.

We are having such weird weather here in the midwest. It is February and it is acting like late March or April. Today as I write this it is supposed to be almost 70 degrees (F). I don’t like the drastic changes and they don’t do anything for headache and allergy sufferers, let alone for all the viruses and bacteria that keep making our grandkids get sick.

This plaid shacket has the shirt vibe, but it is heavy enough to wear as a coat on the chillier spring days. When I decided to use this piece for my color inspiration, I decided to lean towards pastels rather than the more primary blue, orange and yellow. You can see the colors better in this close up shot. Do you see the very faint minty green line?

With these colors in mind, I plaid with two variations, but the pastels won out. It seemed appropriate as we move towards spring.

All three pastel pieces are thrift store finds. The coral pants are Croft & Barrow. Theses are a light weight cotton blend, so they will be great for the warmer months.

The men’s button down shirt is Express brand. It has tiny white flowers on it, and I love how it goes withe the pale yellow and the coral .

The yellow pullover is a brand called Karen Scott. I her brand used to be sold at Macy’s and perhaps Walmart. Not sure if they still are. I don’t wear pale color too often near my face, but the minty green does the job of providing a border between my skin and the pale yellow.

Style Tip: I will never tire of saying, you can wear all colors. If a certain color doesn’t look good right next to your face, just add a scarf or some statement jewelry, or layer a collared shirt under or over it. That doesn’t mean certain colors won’t look better with your skin tone, but if you love a color wear it.

My navy blue bag was a thrifted Simply Vera by Vera Wang piece. Big tote bags are back in for spring, so dig around in your closet and find those larger bags.

My tan, ankle boots are Sonoma brand and were a pre-winter purchase online from Kohl’s.

I kept my jewelry simple with a blue bead, pendant necklace.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you like pastels? How do find color inspiration for your outfits?

Thanks for hanging out on the blog. I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These links are brought to you at no additional cost. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great week!

Shopping Our Closets: Spring Trends Edition

Today’s post revolves around several Spring 2024 fashion trends. While I don’t follow every trend that comes along, I like to be aware of what is happening from season to season. Frankly, most things have already been done, and just keep coming back into the trend rotation. Certain colors and prints, fabrics and styles come around again and again. For instance, leopard print is once again in; not that it really went out. I always hang on to a few leopard print pieces. That choice is less about what is trendy and more about what I like.

I’m not even going to give you links to forecasted spring trends because they are all so different. One says high waisted pants are out, another says they are in. The same thing for corduroys, and other styles. As I always say, wear the things that make you happy and feel good about how you look and who you are. You don’t need a high priced fashion entity to tell you what to wear. That being said, in today’s post I will share a few of the trends I like.

Prep School

Academic blazers, button down shirts and polos are all part of this preppy aesthetic. You can’t go wrong with a thrifted Ralph Lauren blazer. This is my second Ralph Lauren blazer. You can see my navy blue one here and here.

Style Tip: Second hand stores, and retailers like Poshmark, Ebay and ThredUp are great places to find cast off high end brand names.

Color Combos

This dark gray and brown pairing was another item on the trends list for this year. It seems there are few color combinations that seem a little different, but you know I love a color combo challenge, so this was perfect. Dark gray and chocolate brown would not be my first go to color combo, but I like it.

Cherry Red

Red is in and it speaks volumes, adding a pop of color to any outfit dressy or casual, and there are so many ways to make a statement with red. Try a red top, a red skirt, a red jacket or coat, a red scarf, a red bag, red shoes, or keep it simple with bright red lipstick.

Wide Legs

The wide leg look is sticking around, and you can wear it in any fabric or texture. Dress up in a wide leg trouser for work or a night out, or dress casual with a variety of wide leg jeans.

Metallics and Flats

Metallic fabric is shimmering on the run ways, but that doesn’t mean we have to go all out. Just a little dab of metals is all you need to take an outfit up a notch. I added mine in the form of my gold clutch and my silver SO flats. Flats are also on trend this spring, so take those ballet flats from the back of your closet and let them shine.

I added a few silver necklaces for a layered jewelry look, along with a few silver bangles.

Before going out shopping for new trends, be sure to take a look in your closet. Without a doubt, you have one or two pieces that are back in the trend revolving door. Out of the trends I listed above a nice structured blazer, and metallic shoes or a bag are great pieces to hang on to. They are easily styled with dressy or casual outfits, and are perfect for parties, special events and work.

I hope you enjoyed today’s outfit, and that it will inspire you to check out the spring 2024 trends on the web. You might find you have some of the ones I mentioned or others already in your wardrobe.

I’m including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - NY Palette: Tender Peach, Red Dahlia, and Silver Birch

It was fun last week to hear your thoughts on how to combine these Pantone colors. I had my outfits already picked out, otherwise I might have tried some of your suggestions. Today’s outfit takes two of the more subdued colors and pairs them with a darker hue for an outfit that’s perfect for work, a child’s school event or even a casual date night with your significant other.

It is always fun shopping my closet for these colors. Everything in today’s outfit is thrifted except the boots and the bag. Let ‘s look at each piece in color order.

Tender Peach

I found this top last spring thrifting. I fell in love with the eyelet across the top around the neckline. It is a cotton fabric and fully lined making an under layer unnecessary. The bell sleeves make it a great summer piece, but obviously it works well for spring and summer as well.

Style Tip:

If you struggle with wearing solid colors choose pieces that have texture to create interest and draw the eye away from areas that might make you more self conscious.

Red Dahlia

This color is a staple in my fall and winter wardrobe. No matter what you call it: maroon, berry, Red Dahlia…it is a color that adds depth and classiness to any outfit. This cardigan with its black houndstooth pattern and gold toned buttons was a great addition to my closet and since pulling it out for this series, I’ve decided it really needs more time out it public.

Style Tip:

Adding a few patterns like houndstooth, herringbone, or chevron to your closet can boost your closet’s outfit potential. Try finding pieces in the forms of jackets, vests, cardigans or skirts that can quickly put together with other pieces to make simple looks that exude classic style.

Silver Birch

These cargo pants are actually a tad light for the Pantone Silver Birch color, but you get the idea. Silver Birch is a light gray, like oxford, but even lighter with a different hue. The cargo pants keep the outfit looking casual, but not as casual as my distressed jeans.

Style Tip:

Never say never when it comes to color. I have heard many older women say, “I can’t wear gray.” Gray is a great neutral and you most certainly can wear it on your bottom. In addition, try out various shades and hues of gray and you will realize not all colors are created equal. Oxford, cobalt, charcoal, steel, silver are all shades of gray, but each one has it’s own tones and hues. Find the one that works for you. If that doesn’t work, remember you CAN wear the gray, just add a scarf near your face that compliments your coloration.

The rest of my outfit came together with my accessories. The necklace was actually given to me by my spouse who found it at a garage sale. He knows I love costume jewelry, so every once in a while he will surprise me with a special piece he found.

I bought my Sonoma bag a few years ago on Clearance from Kohl’s. It’s just a roomy tote bag, but I thought the peachy, orange pattern went well with the Tender Peach color of the top.

I am always excited to be able get out my ankle boots in the fall. These ESpirit burgundy boots are regularly worn all through the fall and winter.

So what did you think of this color combination? What Pantone colors would you have combined with either Tender Peach or Red Dahlia? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

I’m including a few shopping links to look at. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

Have a great day!

Pantone Autumn/Winter 2023 - New York Palette

The following are my renderings of the Pantone Color Institute’s Fall 2023 New York Palette. These are not going to be exact representations, but close to what the palette consists of. For actual color comparisons go to Pantone.

Happy fall everyone! The season is official and the leaves are beginning their seasonal change here in the midwest. My husband and I got out for a hike on Sunday afternoon and it was beautiful. It was actually a little warm for my preferences, but a lovely day to take a walk. The leaves around here are just showing touches, but many of those swatches are vibrant. I’m sorry Pantone, but no one creates a color palette like the God of Creation! These are few shots I took with my phone.

I am going to introduce the New York fall palette to you today. I decided to take pictures of the corresponding color pieces from my wardrobe to give you an idea of what the colors look like. Next week I will actually start showing you the outfits. In the mean time you can try to guess how I might put these pieces together, or you can come up with your own combinations, just for fun. Let me know in the comments which colors you would put together.

Tender Peach

As Pantone often does they include a few pastels. I am not as much a pastel girl, but I know many of you are, so it is fun to think about how I would include a pastel in a fall outfit.

Rose Violet

This hot pink fuchsia color is bright and sassy. Originally, I was going to use my fuchsia dress from Closet52, but it just wasn’t coming together, so I opted for this thrifted skirt with the Rose Violet flowers. I am not even sure what happened to Closet52. I can no longer find their website. So crazy, the way things come and go so fast.

Viva Magenta

This is the Pantone Color of the Year. You can see the post I did on that earlier this year. This is a lovely, bright color that really works in all seasons, and just about everyone can wear it, but it is hard to find.

Red Orange

This is a color we often equate with fall, especially when we think of changing leaves. The red orange can be easier to wear for some than a true orange. Either way it is a great fall color.

Red Dahlia

Fall wouldn’t be complete without some sort of maroon, burgundy or berry color. Red Dahlia is more towards the maroon side. This picture doesn’t really do it justice. The sweater is a dark maroon, but for some reason it kept looking lighter and more red. Silly phone photos!

High Visibility

Pantone almost always has some sort of bright yellow on its fall palettes. This is another color reminiscent of the changing leaves and sunflowers that are in full bloom at the end of summer.

Persian Jewel and Carnival Glass

These two colors you know will go together for my future outfits. They both were hard colors to find in my closet. I actually had a few pieces that met the Carnival Glass qualifications, but the Persian Jewel is a particular blue akin to Periwinkle, which is a purply blue. I do not have much of that particular blue in my wardrobe.

Burnt Sienna

This earthy orange is another fall staple in my opinion. It goes so well with many other colors and exudes that autumn feel.

Kohlrabi

This bright green works well with the fall palette, once again mimicking the changing tones of the leaves as they grown pale in comparison to their spring attire.

Classic Colors

As always the Pantone color palettes include a few classic colors that work well as foundational or accessory colors.

Coconut Milk

Not a pure, snow white, but not a true cream or ivory, this white does well for casual pieces like this jacket.

Eclipse

This dark, midnight blue is reminiscent of a fall, night sky as after the sun has completely set. A close cousin to navy, this blue is versatile enough to wear with any color.

Doe

This soft, light brown exudes warmth and can replace other common neutral colors like beige, tan, or camel.

Hot Fudge

A dark brown that can be the perfect color to ground an outfit, weather as a skirt or pair of pants or as a pair of boots or leather bag.

Silver Birch

This light gray is the perfect transition color for fall, when you are not ready for the dark grays like oxford or charcoal. This is another color that will combine with just about anything.

So there you have all the fall colors. The next few weeks I will show you which colors I combined to make five fall worthy looks.

What are your favorite colors? Which colors would you combine to make an outfit? Which of these colors do you have in your closet. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Have a great Tuesday!

My Style: Collection of My Favorite Fall Looks

It was an extremely busy weekend with two birthday parties, housecleaning, set up and take down, and so on. I am starting the week exhausted so I thought I would put together a collection of my favorite fall outfits from past falls. These are outfits that exhibit my style best. I will include a little synopsis on what I like about it. I hope you enjoy these pics and outfits.

2016

September

I love this all brown look. It really says fall with the medallion print on the dress and the long fringe vest. I am sad that I got rid of all of these pieces, but the reality is the vest was a little bit small and I have put on weight since then, and I don’t wear dresses much at all any more.

October

This is a look I would wear again. I still have all of these pieces including the large tote bag. It is relaxed and casual, but perfectly stylish for a day of shopping or hanging out with the grandkids. Although, these days I would swap out the flats for more supportive sneakers or shoes.

November

I think the contrast of prints and textures is part of the allure of this outfit. Another fun look for a date night. Unfortunately, I washed the skirt and it was never the same. I got rid of it. I still have the top, belt, necklace and bag.

2017

September

I love this purple and mustard yellow combination. It has a bit of a boho Halloween vibe, but it is right up my alley as far as comfort and color.

October

I had to pick two for this month.

I absolutely love this skirt and still have it. I really need to pull it out and try some other combinations with it. This look is so full of texture, rich color and detail making it one of my faves.

This fall look is all about the contrast between the deep rich berry color of the sweater, and the lighter green of the top and skirt. I still have the skirt, boots, sweater and bag, but got rid of the top.

November

I wore this for Thanksgiving that year, and I absolutely loved it. I’m a fan of tiered skirts, sweatshirts, flannel, boots and scarves so this whole look was fun and definitely outside my normal wheel house, but I think it worked and was fun. Unfortunately, the skirt is gone, the boots are worn out, and the bag started showing signs of wear.

2018

September

This cute cropped moto jacket was a find at Nordstrom Rack. With the camo shirt pecking out and the Rock & Republic jeans I thought it was a fun look, and very much my style.

October

I loved this look. The velvet top with the velvety leopard print jacket complimented each other. Adding the jeans made it one of those dressy casual looks that I love to wear.

November

This is actually a summer maxi dress that I wanted to make work for fall. Adding the yellow sweater, boots and a brown moto jacket did just that.

2019

September

Once again, just like me, a study in contrasts. Print mixing, different blues, different textures along with a lovely pop of red. And yes, I am carrying an Aerosmith tote bag. Ha, ha.

October

I just love the colors and the flowing, fun lines of this look. A fun work outfit, or lunch out with friends.

November

Plaid with plaid? Why not? Especially when the one plaid is flannel! A great office look with superb print mixing. (Yes, I can say that about my print mixing ability. Ha, ha.)

2020

September

Who can resist a color mix like this for fall? Doesn’t it remind you of the many colors as the leaves change?

October

Fashion reasons I love fall: print mixing, layers, scarves, boots, dark hues, and jeans, always jeans!

November

This is my go to casual outfit: jeans, fun sneakers, graphic tee, sweater and bag. I love incorporating similar colors into my outfits and accessories like the dark maroon in the bag, sneakers and tee in this outfit.

2021 (This was the fall I was sick, so I wasn’t doing a lot of regular posting, but I found a few things.)

September

Vests are always popular in the fall as a layering piece and for me I love them all, from puffers, to waist coats, to pieces like these with fringe, they provide warmth, texture and interest.

October

I think we all have pieces we look forward to pulling out every fall. This jacket is definitely one of those! As you can see, it is on repeat in my wardrobe.

November

Many of these outfits are from Pantone color palettes, which I usually try to do in the fall and spring. I am still debating about this year. But this outfit proves we can wear pastels in the fall.

2022

September

Why not wear red and green in the fall? It is all about shades and textures. Plus the American flag gives the outfit an end of summer feel.

October

Though these may not be the “typical” fall colors, I really like the romantic, fall vibe this outfit is giving off.

November

This was actually an Instagram post, but the inspiration for it was a fashion trend called Dark Academia, which I really have gotten into. I don’t wear it as much as I would like, but perhaps I will do a blog post about it soon.

I hope you have enjoyed this look back at my favorite fall outfits since I started the blog. It was fun for me to look back and see what I have done in the past. It is challenging me to re-up my game plan to bring ideas and outfits to you that will continue to inspire and help you grow in your fashion knowledge and abilities.

Have a great evening!

Color Play - Building an Outfit Around Jewelry

Since my Color Play column can encompass all aspects of color, I thought it would be fun to show you how I build an outfit around a colorful piece of jewelry. Let’s face it, not all of us are into fine jewelry. Yes, I do have a few silver and gold items that my spouse gave me over the years, but those are mainly rings and a few chain necklaces. Most of my jewelry is costume jewelry that I have either found on clearance at regular retail stores like Kohl’s, JC Penney, or Maurice’s, or it is from a thrift store. The piece I will be using today was actually gifted to me by a friend.

I love all the colors in this piece, but it does make it more difficult to combine with printed pieces, of which I have many. However, that makes it more challenging, which I love. Today, I decided to go for more of a color block style, and used solid colors for each of the pieces in my outfit. Take a look.

I am grooving on my wide leg cropped pants right now, so if they are not your cup of tea, then just swap them out for your own version of pants. You could also just as easily choose a skirt. Remember my job is to inspire you to look at your own clothes in a new and innovative way, to make them work for you and your style preferences.

Today’s style tips are going to cater to styling an outfit around a piece of jewelry.

Style Tip 1 - Choose a piece of jewelry that makes a statement, then figure out how to monopolize on that statement effect.

As you can see in the first picture my necklace contains so many colors: orange, dark blue, turquoise, or aqua, purple, olive, light green, orange and a light yellowy orange. If I wore this piece with a printed top it might easily get lost, but pairing it with this navy popover blouse was the perfect way to make the colors of the necklace pop. You could have used any of the colors in the necklace, but I love the way it looks against the navy.

I have two of these Knox Rose tops. The other is a pale purple color. I love the lace, the longer length short sleeves and the flowy silhouette. The trim on the bottom is pretty as well. I honestly can’t remember if I found these on the clearance rack at Target, or at a Goodwill store where I often find like new Knox Rose items.

Style Tip 2 - Choose pieces that go with the colors in the jewelry or at least compliment it.

The navy top almost matched exactly the navy beads on the necklace. However, I chose to wear a pair of pants that was less matchy and more complimentary. The light green borders on olive, but not exactly. It’s almost a very pale chartreuse. I know in the picture they look more gray or beige than green, but believe me they have a green cast to them.

These raw hem jeans are Sonoma brand and they were a clearance find at Kohl’s a summer season ago.

After choosing my main two pieces I decided on shoes and a bag. I also added a few other bright beaded bracelets for fun. My SO ankle boots have been around for a while. I thought it appropriate to start throwing in a few fall like pieces since we all know it is coming at some point. My thrifted orange suede bag is not one I use very often, but I simply love the bright color, and it works so well as an accent piece.

Style Tip 3 - Pull in one or two other colors from you chosen piece of jewelry (if it has more than two colors) by adding them in as accessories: shoes or boots, bags, scarves or a sweater or jacket.

I thought about adding a sweater to this, but I wanted to still look summery, and it was nearing 90F when I took these pictures. I was already beginning to sweat. Ha, ha.

What do you think of this outfit? Have you ever styled an outfit around a piece of jewelry? If so, what was it? I’d love to hear your thoughts. You feedback is always welcome, good or bad.

I’m including a few shopping links for fun necklaces. These are affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Have a great day!

Color Play - Peach and Sea Foam Green

My grandson was here for the weekend, so I asked him to give me an unusual color combination. First he came up with orange and purple, which is definitely on my list of colors to pair in the future. He also mentioned red and green, but when I said Christmas, he decided not that. Finally, he said, “Peach and Sea Foam Green.”

We proceeded to have a mini discussion about what peach and sea foam green or blue actually look like. I finally had to Google both colors to see what the internet said. Sea Foam green is pretty straight forward. It is akin to minty green, but with a touch more blue in it. Peach, however, is another story. There are so many versions of peach: yellow-pink, pink-orange, yellow-orange…the list goes on. When you open up the peach fruit, the center is a yellowy orange, but the skin can have shades of pink in it.

When I started looking for these colors in my closet I was leaning towards the pinky orange, but everything I have leans more towards coral than peach. I finally settled on this floral tee blouse. I call it a tee blouse because it looks and feels like a tee, but the sleeves and front have a sheer material, giving it a lovely dressy vibe. The sea foam green jeans were just right for this post.

Style Tip: Think outside the box when it comes to color. You don’t have to wear the same colors all the time, because that’s what the color gurus say you look best in. Try adding color in small amounts with a bag or shoes, or other accessories. I know I have said this before, but color is just too fun to not wear it.

This pretty floral piece is Alfred Dunner brand and was either a thrift find or a clearance find at Kohl’s. It has been a few years, so I can’t remember. Ha, ha. I like the water color feel of the flowers. Since peach is yellow, but also pink, I thought this blend of colors a good compromise. You might not think it looks very peachy, but the point is not about perfect matches, but color inspiration.

Style Tip: Let color be a guide rather than a prison. Maybe you don’t have anything peach, or orange or yellow. Maybe your clothes revolve around neutrals. Why not use beige or tan with your sea foam green instead?

These bright green jeans are a brand called NYJD. I found these thrifting, but they do have a website and it looks like a decent brand. I love the fit and feel of these jeans. They are a bit stretchy, but not so much so they get slouchy. Check out their website, NYJD. I am not receiving anything in exchange for telling you about this retailer, it just looks like a decent place to get jeans that fit well.

I decided to add a pinky-peach cross body bag to tie in the pink colors in the top. I also added my pale yellow Universal Thread sneakers, clearance from Target. Isn’t the embellishment on this bag so much fun? It looks like embroidery.

When you really pay attention you can see that this top isn’t really peach. You can also see that the green in the top, which is almost a citron green is nothing like the sea foam green of my pants, but I think the outfit works. Again, think in terms of inspiration rather than firm rules.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think these colors work together? What is the brightest pair of pants you have in your closet? Do you have anything in the sea foam color? I love hearing your thoughts so leave a comment or two.

Don’t forget you can buy me a coffee by clicking on the link below. It is a great way to support people like me who bring you inspiration and ideas without receiving compensation for it.

Buy Me a Coffee.

I’m including some shopping links for you to peruse. These are affiliate links. I do not receive any compensation unless you buy a product through the links below. All opinions are my own.

Clara Sunwoo - Mosaic Petal Top with Techno Knit Blue Denim Pant

For the last few months I have been sharing with you retailer Clara Sunwoo. The mother/daughter team based out of New York City is known nationwide for their comfortable, stylish pieces that meet the needs of today’s modern women. Made with knits and materials that move with you, each piece is perfect for day to day life, from the office to dinner out.

All of the the outfits I have shown you, including today’s, have been gifted to me, in exchange for posts on my blog and my other social media accounts. All opinions regarding the retailer and the clothing pieces are my own.

Today’s look is probably my favorite so far. You can see the first outfit, side tie water color top and brown straight leg pant here. You can see the second outfit, wide leg pocket pant and parachute hem tunic, here. Today’s look features the Mosaic Petal Top paired with the Techno Knit - Skinny Ankle Pocket Pant in Blue Denim.

You know how I love color, so this top really caught my eye. Not only is it a beautiful combination of colors, but it is so comfortable. The 3/4 length sleeves, wide scoop neck line, and a-line silhouette provide a cool, confidence-boosting vibe.

The Techno Knit pants are very comfortable, and like all the others easy on, easy off. There are no belt loops, zippers or large back pockets adding bulk. All of Clara Sunwoo’s pants are made to be easy to wear, comfortable, and lasting. The Techno Knit pants are more structured than the other two pants I received, which I do like better for every day wear. My only issue with these has to do with my legs, not so much the retailer’s manufacturing. With my wider calves, the Skinny Ankle pant has a tendency to gather and wrinkle just below my knee. Once again, I wonder if I had sized up if that would have made a difference. I am wearing the Large in both the tunic and the pants.

I thought it would be fun to show you a few pictures of me sitting and moving in this outfit, to show you how easy going and comfortable these pieces are while still making you look fabulous.

Clara Sunwoo clothing is worn by big name stars including Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Jane Fonda, and more. I like the fact that this retailer is using bloggers and social media influencers to get their product out to people like me. You may be a working woman who regularly needs to update your wardrobe to keep it looking fresh, or you may be a stay at home mom, who just needs the occasional outfit that still feels comfortable, but also makes you feel dressed up and stylish. You might even be a retiree who doesn’t really need a whole new wardrobe every season, but just needs something once in a while for a special occasion. The retailer’s price points are higher than what I normally pay as a thrifter, but as I have stated before, I look at these pieces as investment pieces that will be used over and over again. You can also look for their “final sale” items which decrease the prices by 25% - 50%.

I hope you are enjoying your summer, and that you enjoyed this post. Let me know what you think of this outfit from Clara Sunwoo. Have you bought anything from this retailer? If you see something you like, be sure to use my code STYLINGRANNY10 for a 10% discount. Because I am an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo, I get a little kickback when you purchase something with my code. I appreciate all your support and that you are also supporting a retailer that lives, designs, and manufactures most of their pieces right here in the USA.

Have a great week!

Color Play - Finding Inspiration in Wall Art

We don’t just have to go to Pinterest to find inspiration for our outfits, although that is a great source for all sorts of color combinations. All you need to do is type in your color combo and outfits of all sorts will pop up. For example if I type in, “Neon green with brown outfit,” or “Outfits with neon green and brown,” you’ll get a variety. If you want to only search casual outfits, add the word casual to your search.

I am one who likes variety when it comes to where I am getting my color inspiration, so it is a good thing the sources are unlimited. Besides nature, one of my favorite places for inspiration is wall art. From water colors to oils, to photographs to tiles in kitchen back splashes or bathroom trim, I love to create outfits using those colors.

Today’s outfit revolves around two pieces of wall art that were hanging at the house we staying at on our trip to Kentucky. I loved the colors in each. (I had to take the pictures at an angle to cut the glare on the glass that was over the prints.)

As I started looking through my closet I was struck by how many different outfits could be derived from these prints. I may have to revisit these at a future date. Today’s casual outfit pulled out the bold red, dark and medium blue, and the creamy light brown.

Everything in this outfit is second hand, except for the tee shirt. My white v-neck tee is Time and Tru brand from Walmart from a year or two ago. These make great basic tees and are totally affordable. If you click on the Walmart link you’ll see they have two packs of these types of tees in various colors.

I pulled out a pair of straight leg jeans as it was going to be a little cool and rainy on the day I took these pictures. These are Old Navy brand and are called The Sweetheart. As I usually do, I rolled these. Having my ankles showing makes me stay cooler and it just seems more appropriate for the summer weather.

My print jacket is a Christopher and Banks piece. It seems to be a blend of leopard, and floral. I thought the lighter colors would be good for the warmer weather. It is also lighter weight than a denim or utility jacket. Once again, the beauty of thrift shopping is that you can find all your favorite brands at reduced prices and keep them out of the landfill.

Since the jeans incorporated the darker blue of the picture, I added the brighter blue crossbody bag to pull in the pretty blue of the vase in the second print. This is Tignanello brand.

Now let’s talk about the color red. Red provides such a wonderful pop of color in any outfit that is somewhat understated. I think the red flower necklace and the red shoes make this outfit more fun and interesting. I just found these awesome red shoes at my favorite dollar thrift store. They are like brand new and are a brand called Comfortiva.

If you want shoes that are super comfortable, and affordable, check out their website. They have some cute sandals like the Erena, the Parrea, and the Ganata. I’m not getting any compensation to recommend this retailer, I just know my dollar thrifted shoes are super comfy and cute.

So what do you think? Did my outfit look a little like the prints I took inspiration from?

As I said before, I might have to revisit these color inspiring prints for another outfit. Do you ever get your outfit inspiration from paintings, wall tiles or nature? I would love to hear your sources for outfit inspiration, so leave me a comment or two below.

I hope you are having a great week.

Color Play - Dark Plaid in the Spring and Summer

Today, I am going to show you how to take a darker plaid and make it spring and summer ready. I know many of us put our darker colors away replacing them with pastels and the bright happy colors of warmer weather, but not everyone has as big of a wardrobe as I do. Indeed, for those who are more into a capsule wardrobe, this is a great way to use a darker print all year round.

I found these plaid Croft and Barrow pants a few months ago while thrifting. When I tried them on, I liked the way they fit, and knew they would be great for the holidays, but I also thought it would be fun to wear these any time of year by just adjusting what I pair them with. I decided to pull them out for this post.

As you can see in the picture below they are a simple pull on knit, thus the name inside the waist band - Effortless Stretch Pant. The older I get, the more I like that idea. Ha, ha. But then, the younger generation all wear leggings, which is really just a stretch pant, right? You can see these are perfect for Christmas with the red stripes, and green and blue plaid.

Style Tip: Roll up the hems on your straight leg pants, creating a narrow cuff, to give them a current, casual, and youthful look.

You might be wondering how I chose the sweater and the tee. I wanted to keep to the color scheme of the pants, but with lightening up the shades to a pastel, minty green, and a pastel, blush pink, it changes the feel of the whole outfit. I could have done a similar thing with a lighter reddish orange, and a lighter blue, but in similar shades to the original.

The whole idea behind Color Play is to play with colors and color combinations. I am not a color “trekkie”, boldly going where no woman has gone before in my color combinations. I still like things to look classic, polished, and put together in a way that makes a person think, wow, that’s a cool outfit. But, I still want to experiment and try new things, and I hope I am inspiring you to do that as well.

Style Tip: In order to lighten up an outfit when using a darker print, think in terms of shades of the darker print’s colors. If it is navy, evergreen and maroon, think in terms of light blue, minty green and pink.

My pink sweater was a Nordstrom Rack find, and is a brand called BYdesign. You can click on the link for a variety of color options. This is a great spring, and summer sweater as it is light weight. I got an XL, as I often like a roomier option. These are also on sale right now, so feel free to click on through.

My minty green v-neck tee is Hanes brand and a second hand find. Long sleeve and short sleeve plain colored tees are great pieces to stock up on at thrift stores. It doesn’t matter as much if they are not new as they are typically worn underneath other things.

I decided to wear a few red pieces of jewelry to coordinate with the red stripes in the pants.

My white bag is another thrift find that I typically pull out in the summer. I still have that “wear white in the warmer months” mentality, not so much about pants or tops, but definitely bags. In our current time anything goes, as they say, but we certainly still have our own personal preferences.

These cute sneakers were another thrift find. They are brand called vaisb, which looked to be a brand that used to be sold on Amazon.

What do you think of this outfit? Do you think I accomplished a spring or summer look by incorporating lighter colored pieces with the darker plaid pants? I personally like the way the outfit turned out, but I know it is not for everyone. However, the idea is to play with color. Don’t be afraid to think outside the crayon box when it comes to what colors you are brave enough to wear, and the color combinations you might create. Getting dressed should be fun and that is one of the reasons I share this blog with you.

I am including a few other shopping links below. Don’t forget to check out the BYdesign link above if you are in need of a light weight cardigan for summer. These are affiliate links. I do not earn any money from these links unless you purchase the item through the link. I provide these links to give you information and they are brought to you at no additional cost. All opinions are my own.

Buy Me A Coffee.

Outfit Inspiration: Pantone's Color of the Year - Viva Magenta

I still want to bring you a look at the Pantone Color Institutes color selections for this year, so this month I am going to feature a few of the New York Palette Spring/Summer 2023 colors for each of my monthly columns. The Pantone website has become increasingly user unfriendly for just the average joe. If you want to buy their services and products they are great, but I can no longer get specific color info. If you look at their page for the Palettes, the colors are now featured as these tiny, almost imperceptible to the human eye, swatches. Ha, ha.

Before I start, let me reiterate, these are my interpretations of the Pantone colors. They are not exact matches, but correspond as closely as I am able to make them with my limited information from the website and my limited wardrobe.

Viva Magenta is a bright, rich pinky red that easily catches the eye. It is a pretty color that can be combined with loads of other shades for a spring and summer worthy outfit palette. I don’t have a lot of pieces this color in my closet, so I was glad to see I had this Sonoma 3/4 bell sleeve top and the thrifted Libby Edelman shoulder bag.

I decided to combine the Viva Magenta with two of the other colors from the Spring New York Palette. Summer Song is a soft, light blue that reminds me of a light wash denim, which is why I chose my thrifted J. Jill - Out of the Blue embroidered, jacket as a topper. I love the embroidered details on this piece. I’ve worn this on the blog before. You can see it with a white skirt for summer, and with a pair of wide leg jeans.

Vanilla Cream is one of the classic colors on the palette this year. I would say it is a cross between a pale pink and a pale coral. The Crayola Crayon box might call this one Flesh, ha, ha! These thrifted Refuge jeggings, seemed to come pretty close to the Pantone color. I don't typically wear leggings or jeggings without a longer top, but these have back pockets and do look more like jeans than leggings, even though they are incredibly soft and stretchy. You can see how I styled these with a black floral top, a belted orange tank top, in a pink monochrome look, and in a flat lay.

My SO ankle boots were a clearance find from Kohl’s a number of years ago. You can see how I styled them with my cognac jeans, a yellow knit cape, dark pink cords, and gray plaid cropped pants.

Are you a fan of Pantone’s color of the year, Viva Magenta? Do you like it combined with these other spring Pantone colors? Do you have any of these colors in your wardrobe? Leave me a comment or two. I always love to hear your thoughts. I do try to respond to all of your comments, so be sure to check back after a few days.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. I do apologize that I have not yet gotten linked up with some other affiliate partners. It’s all about the research which takes time. I haven’t given up, but for now I will keep bringing you at least some possible options through my ShopStyle affiliate program. These are brought to you at no additional cost, unless you purchase something of course. Ha, ha.

Color Play - Red and Orange Cream

As you know, the reason I like to play with color is to force myself to get out of my own preconceived box regarding color combinations. Most of us are familiar and comfortable with combinations like navy with white in the summer, or rust with yellow in the fall. We tend to stay away from those combinations that look like restaurant decor - think yellow and red (McDonalds), or team colors - yellow and green (Green Bay Packers), unless we are putting on our work uniform or going to a football game. However, I like the challenge of finding different or unusual color combinations allowing me to make better use of the clothing I already have in my closet.

Today’s outfit revolves around two new pieces I got in the last month: a red and white striped top and a creamy light orange eyelash cardigan.

I pulled out my thrifted St. John’s Bay wide leg pants. The only reason I chose these was so I could wear my knee brace without it being seen. Ha, ha. But I actually like the way the outfit turned out. Wide legs seemed to have jumped off the trend-go-round until next time, but that is no reason to get rid of them, if you have a pair. Every once in a while it is nice to wear something outside the trend box, just because it is comfortable and the right color.

My bright red striped mock turtleneck tee is from Maurices and was another great deal. I love stripes anyway. I have a few tops that are white with red stripes, but when I saw this red with skinny white stripes, I grabbed it. It is very soft and comfortable.

I also added a long pendant necklace with reds for a bit of fun.

This wonderfully fuzzy chenille eyelash sweater is the bomb. I love the fun texture and the luxurious softness of the knit. It is also extra cozy, so I have a feeling it will be popping up here and there throughout the chaotic weather of spring. I found this on the clearance rack at our local Meijer.

I used my red top handle bag again for the Valentine’s red color and added my SO ankle boots which matched my pants fairly well. However, silly me, didn’t think to put on my brown socks…ha, ha. Oh well, the little foxes match quite well.

Style Tip: To make your legs look longer and leaner match your shoe to your pants (and your socks :)). You can get the same effect with tights and boots of the same color.

What do you think of this color combination? I think it is fun and different, but not so different that it doesn’t work. Let me know what you think by leaving me some love in the comments.

I am including a few shopping links for you to look over. These are affiliate links, but all opinions are my own. These are provided for your benefit and do not cost you anything to click on.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!