Tuesday, Wednesday: Neutrals as the third level of color layering

I have been on a neutrals kick lately.

Tuesday:

Tan sweater from Marshalls, mushroom chiffon top from AT, green-brown belt from ATF skirt (which I ditched about an hour into the morning), brown-plaid microcheck pants from ATF, brown snakeskin Me Too flats.

Wednesday:

Black ruffled tank black short-sleeved long cardigan both from ATF, black skinny pants from Gap, cheetah print embellished flats from Nordstroms, brown scarf from a friend.

Neutrals aren't as exciting or easy to take photos of, but I love wearing them together. In real life the gradient layers of the similar tones is striking, and to me it is taking my color combinations to the next level. I love my brights and bolds, and color in general, so that isn't a knock. But I have noticed as I progress down this fashion journey, there are levels that I have found myself reaching for and trying to master.

At first, it is the Solid Color + Neutral combo. That didn't last long for me, and it's a rare combo that I wear even now.



I graduated quickly to adding in patterns. Sometimes it was Solid Color + Neutral + Print/Pattern:


Sometimes it was just Neutrals + Print/Pattern:


I graduated yet again to Two Prints/Patterns + Color or Neutral:


Two Prints/Patterns isn't my most comfortable style, unless the second patterns is in my tights or some part less noticeable. Other bloggers (like Sheila at Ephemera, Kasmira at What I Wore Today, and Audi at Fashion for Nerds) do it much better. See them for inspiration.

The third level, and the combos I feel most sophisticated in, are All Neutrals or a Neutral Combo, like the ones for the last few days, and these:


I don't know why I think of it as more sophisticated; maybe because it feels like it involves taking a risk, and that you have to be confident enough to wear black and brown together and not second-guess if someone points it out. They also usually require some nice fabrication and texture, to make the neutrals stand out against each other. Lastly, they take more forethought than most of my other outfits; like with my photography, I have to concentrate on the composition of the whole thing together, whereas with a color, if I am feeling lazy I can grab the color, add the neutral and then dig through my scarves for a quickie finish.

I love my colors and I will never be rid of them, but I am fascinated with neutral combos. How about you? What do you wear versus what do you like to see on others? Is there a difference for you?