Aida ~

WIW 01.23-27 adjacent colors week

January 27, 2012

Here is my complete week of adjacent colors (as posted about here). It was certainly a fun experiment, and solidified how much I love this method of pairing colors. I found when the shades are quite close together, like in #1 and #4, those are the combos that really tug at my heart strings. I fully intend to continue using this type of adjacent pairing into Spring :)

The three tricky bits for this experiment for me were: making sure everything looked wintery enough, not using colored bottoms, and making each outfit look different from the others even though I had to use very similar layering techniques.

  1. red/red-orange - My favorite of the week! The only way I've gotten a pencil skirt to feel "me" is by pairing with slouchy tops and boots. This is completely waist surrendering, but I LOVE the vibe of this outfit.
  2. yellow/yellow-green - I was in a retro mood this day, so I thought it'd be fun to wear my vintage midi; my sis commented that it looked conservative for me. Featuring a beautiful necklace that our dear Sona sent to me!
  3. yellow-green/blue-green (skips over adjacent to next tone) - This is actually the layering idea that got me thinking about this experiment. While out shopping, the tweed on one arm of this coat just... fell apart. So back it'll go. I'm so bummed! (I also just realized that the bust pocket buttons on the silk blouse are a little, erhm, unfortunately placed -_-)
  4. blue-green/blue - My second favorite of the week! This is a spring-time jacket (purchased at the Dec. YLF meetup, and those in LA may recognize it as well), but I got it out early for this challenge :) The color difference was a bit more jarring in person. I love putting 80s inspired blazers into 70s inspired outfits ^^
  5. dark blue/purple (skips over adjacent to next tone) - This end of the spectrum, blue-purple through red-purple, is least represented in my wardrobe. I went for a bit of a preppy/menswear look, complete with oxfords though it's probably still too cold to go sans socks!

Thanks also to everyone who joined in on this, I absolutely love seeing everyone's outfits! Comments, critiques, thoughts and questions welcome.

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Posted in the What I Wore category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

33 Comments

  • Jonesy replied 12 years ago

    Oooh, I love everything! You are so creative and chic, Aida! I don't think I can even pick a fave, they are all so fab. Okay, maybe #1 just because I love that slouchy silhouette and that color just *zings* on you! Also love you in the blues!

  • catgirl replied 12 years ago

    Oh, I have been waiting for this post! And it does not disappoint! You should be an InStyle feature for this idea. I love the yellow check shirt, and the first combo is so gorgeous on you. But really they are all fab. I like the way the tops are the focus of the colors and the bottoms are relatively plain (except the twirly skirt)...

  • suzanne m replied 12 years ago

    I adore #4 with the blues. That necklace is just the right touch. You looked great all week. Cool color experiment.

  • Queen Mum replied 12 years ago

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE #3... what a fun unexpected surprise to see the shorts and tights. Adorable.
    Runners up include 1 and 5. Great week Aida!

  • Transcona Shannon replied 12 years ago

    This is really cool Aida - I totally admire your challenges. These are all fantastic - can't pick a favourite. Gotta love a twirling skirt photo!

  • Makrame replied 12 years ago

    Yay, I was waiting for this post, too! Fab colors!

    I was going to say I liked the blues and the greens (3-4) the best, then I decided that I liked purple (5), too, and now I don't know, they are all so great. :)

  • Suz replied 12 years ago

    Wow, I love them all, but I'm especially keen on #4. That is stupendous, and a great reminder to me of something I can do using ingredients in my own closet. Thank you for doing this, Aida. I didn't dress this way every day but it brought this kind of thing to my mind again. Do you want to try an "official" challenge in the spring? I would definitely be IN on that. I love analogous colours together!

  • Jjsloane replied 12 years ago

    I've been waiting too and I did this experiment this week (but not nearly as fab) I love it all, but my personal faves here are 3-4-5. Thanks for inspiring a lot of us to stretch our color wings.

  • Joy replied 12 years ago

    I was also looking forward to this post and am inspired. I especially like the unexpected color combo in #3.

  • Sylvie replied 12 years ago

    And what a beautiful week it is! I really found outfit #1 inspiring because I'm not comfortable in a pencil skirt and this shows me a way I could make it work for me.

  • Aida replied 12 years ago

    Thank you for the comments ladies! I'm happy you enjoyed what I came up with, and humbled that I inspired many of you to also try a few of these :D

    Una, that was a conscious decision I made at the start, glad to hear it worked well. Maybe in the spring once I get a couple more colored bottoms I can re-do this with color on top and bottom.

    Kim, thanks! I keep forgetting that I have these shorts, and am trying to remember to wear them more often! It's a fun change from jeans.

    Suz, I would definitely be down for doing this as a more official challenge in spring! It's probably also easier to do with spring/summer items since that's where most people have their color. Maybe in late Feb/early March?

    Jjsloane, I really enjoyed your outfits for this challenge and am tickled that you also went the whole week! Nicely done :D

    Sylvie, I'm a bit torn on whether the slouchiness with the pencil skirt kind of defeats the pencil skirt but it's just such a fun vibe. I hope it works for you (and that you'll post photos if it does!).

  • Sarah A replied 12 years ago

    I don't know if I have ever tried an analogous color paired outfit, thanks for being an inspiration! I can't wait to see if I have some things I can wear new ways based upon you great ideas.

  • Angie replied 12 years ago

    Very nice! I love how you play with colour, Aida. We need that here in grey Seattle :)

    I love the tomato red, but the Winter short shorts do it for me the most. Both KILLER outfits!

  • Parsley replied 12 years ago

    First of all, what a great idea and inspiration to play with and use some creativity with color combinations!

    I love all your outfits, but #1 is my favorite. You just look so good in that bright red and black.

    And of course, I also love the last one with our new "gingham shirt and crew-neck sweater" formula!

    #3 is another great one- love the shorts & tights...... They're all great!

    Super idea, and super execution!

  • sarah replied 12 years ago

    Terrific outfits, Aida - I love all of the fun colors, and the adjacent color thang works so well. I can't pick a favorite. They are all great.

  • Vicki replied 12 years ago

    Aida, I don't have a favorite, because THEY ARE ALL MY FAVORITES! You can play with adjacent color and I'm giving you a perfect score in color and design. I love what you have created here and while your sister says your vintage midi is *conservative,* I see a freshness of style that is over-the-top *amazing.* I truly can't pick a favorite and you have inspired me with this experiment.

  • replied 12 years ago

    How fun to finally get to see your week of adjacent colors! I want you to know I went to the thrift store and bought some cheap and cheerful items so that I have more than two color in my wardrobe!

  • Heather replied 12 years ago

    I totally dig this experiment. Wildly successful! I totally love the teal and the avocado. Genius.

  • Aida replied 12 years ago

    Thank you for the lovely comments ladies :D

    Sarah A, I'm happy to have inspired you to try some new color pairings!

    Angie, thanks ^^ I would never have bought the shorts pre-YLF, but they are one of my favorite NAS purchases (even though I don't wear as often as I should). It's sometimes hard to balance my love of brights with my desire to be urban cool ;)

    Vicki, I think my sis felt the cardigan being tied up was what did it, or perhaps that it's so much more "girly" than what I usually go for hehe

    Claire, YAY! I hope we get to see them soon, yes? :D

    Heather, thanks! Also, I misss youuuuuu! <3

  • Debora replied 12 years ago

    What a great experiment, Aida! Love your use of color and every single one of these outfits is fab! You are a welcome ray of sunshine.

  • Marley replied 12 years ago

    Whoa Aida! I missed your thread about this challenge so what a great surprise it was to see this on the forum! I have been wondering what you were up to lately and really missing seeing your outfits. This is such a treat! I LOVE them all - but, my fave has to be #3 - because I sooooo want to be able to wear shorts like that, but I'm too old, so I'm just enjoying watching you and the other "young-uns" rock this style. Thanks so much for posting these outfits. You have really inspired me to see if I can pull this off. Unfortunately my winter wardrobe is predominately gray, black and navy - I doubt if I have the colors even for one outfit - but I'm going to check it out tomorrow!

  • AJ replied 12 years ago

    Oh, man! I had a reply all typed out and pressed the wrong button!! Needless to say I SQUEELED at your whole week and am thoroughly inspired. Especially with #1!

    All fabulously styled, especially #4. That one belongs on the pages of a magazine!

    Does H&M still have those blazers? I should have bought one in color while I had the chance. : (

  • Sveta replied 12 years ago

    You played with these colors beautifully, Aida. I was thinking of joining in as wekk but I have already decided to do a "stripe" week.:-)
    My favorite is #3 - I would not think that green-gold and teal can work together but they really do. I guess it all depends on the specific tints and hues of these colors. I think they are very tricky to do but you pulled them off beautifully.
    My next favorite is #4 - beautiful blue on you and jacket plays so nice with it.
    At last #5 - so fun: gingham and oxfords really make the outfit.
    I think I am playing next week...I hope I have enough colors in my winter wardrobe...

  • rae replied 12 years ago

    Yay! I knew these would be awesome! I love #3, no surprise with those two colors and the tights under shorts. So sad about the coat, though!

    #4 is my second-favorite as well. Something about blue-green with blue is extra moody!

  • Scarlet replied 12 years ago

    I really love 1 , 4, and 5. Your hair is looking super by they way.

  • Amy replied 12 years ago

    I was so excited to see you post your color challenge! I can't decide which is my favorite. The first outfit is so vivid it makes my heart pitter patter. The shorts outfit is super fun and the last outfit looks cool and relaxed.

    I do hope you, me and Brenda can meet up some day for a shopping trip in Seattle. That would be great fun!

  • Kirti replied 12 years ago

    Amazing! I love each one of these outfits, but my favourite has to be the red/red orange pairing :) I also think your peacock feather necklace is gorgeous :)

  • MsMary replied 12 years ago

    Oh boy oh boy oh boy! What a treat and a feast for the eyes! I have been waiting for this post and you did not disappoint!! They are all fab but I am especially drawn to #4. I also enjoyed the use of "third colors" in your outerwear!

    BIG FUN!!!

  • Mander replied 12 years ago

    I like! 2-3-4 are my favorites, but I like the orange and red much better now that I see the whole outfit.

    I tend to do this multi-tonal thing a lot, but it almost always ends up being blue, blue-green, green, and some other variation on blue. Maybe I need some more colors in my life... ;-)

  • Meredith1953 replied 12 years ago

    Aida,
    I am amazed at how wonderful you look in all the color combos and that blue in pic#4 is utterly gorgeous on you. I'm loving the sweet little oxfords too. I just looked at a pair of born "aiden" oxfords on Nordstrom's site and I might have to get the gray ones.

  • Aida replied 12 years ago

    Sorry for getting back to this so late, it's been a busy week >< THANK YOU all for the wonderful comments, I am so so happy to hear how many of you enjoyed my experiment :D

    Marley, since it's not too cold by you perhaps using just one springy item would work? Maybe your cobalt jeans with a turquoise top? Or a colored top with a similarly colored jacket?

    AJ, I have no idea if H&M still has the blazer :\ If they had other colors I totally would've snatched them up, too!

    Sveta, I thought a lot about your comment, "it all depends on the specific tints and hues of these colors". I think that if your wardrobe is filled with colors that truly are Your Best Colors, then it should be much much easier to mix them together in unexpected combinations. I mean, those colors all have to look good on you so they already have something in common, yes? I am not too sure, but it is something interesting to think about.

    Amy, I think the snow helped make that first outfit even MORE vivid ^^

    Mander, if those are YOUR colors then I think that's just fine :) For what it's worth I LOVE tonal pairings, light green with dark green, or red with maroon for example. The green outfit with the green scarf you posted is just my kind of color pairing!

    Meredith1953, oooh oxfords are so fun! Far more versatile than one might expect, too. I love them for spring!

  • Lisa replied 12 years ago

    How did I miss this one?

    1.red/red-orange - This was my favorite of the week. These colors are DIVINE on you!

    2.yellow/yellow-green - Pretty midi skirt!

    3.yellow-green/blue-green - Neat colors paired here.

    4.blue-green/blue - I really enjoy ocean colored pairings, so soothing.

    5.dark blue/purple - A color pairing I wear myself, or one of these against black, so fun!

    This was a great week. I really like the challenge but realized I do not have enough color in my closet for a full weeks worth!

  • Ornella replied 12 years ago

    Aida, you've mastered this challenge. I've said (on rae's thread when she did them) that I'll try a week of adjacent colors and that proved to be too hard. But, it's still at the back of my mind and I'll get back to it once - with your fab outfits as super-duper cheat sheet ;-)

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