filed in Daily Life
Stepping Out
Readers of FPS know that I lean towards a neutral palette. It’s from decades of living in San Francisco, where black, grey and brown dominate the garment landscape. Los Angeles has widened my taste, but only just a bit. Now I own a turquoise t-shirt, which I rarely wear. What’s the boldest thing in your wardrobe?
Illustration by David Shrigley
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20 comments for “Stepping Out”
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Probably a hot-pink North Face rain shell. I once was walking home late at night wearing this coat and a sort of drunk guy said those very words: “Great coat, that’s a very bold color choice!” LOL
It’s great, like wearing an umbrella. I picked it over the grey one bc I bike a lot and well, maybe more so bc I just like pink!
But wearing color is pretty routine for me. I don’t know that I’ve ever owned an LBD; grey and black may be the colors I wear the least. I love designers like Betsey Johnson and Lily Pulitzer.
I’ve noticed a penchant for turquoise myself; in my clothing as well as in home decor. When you are wearing this t-shirt, what do you wear it with?
When my parents moved from NYC to South Floria, their palette changed dramatically (wardrobe and home decor). So I do think that where we live has something to do with it. When I wear that turqouise t-shirt, it’s usually with white jeans. I appreciate and admire your color choices!
Well I was born in Florida so maybe that has something to do with it! Flordians certainly do not fear bright colors.
I’d never seen my parents in aqua until they moved to Florida. Maybe it’s something about the light.
I checked my closet and, excluding exercise clothes and underwear, I have three brightly colored items: a royal blue sleeveless shift dress, a bright red swing jacket, and a turquoise cowl neck sweater, all items I wear in cooler (or downright cold) weather (the dress is of a heavy fabric and gets paired with a long black cardigan). The rest of my wardrobe is almost all black, white, and grey, save for a couple of navy, brown, and tan items. I have Parisian closets (read: small) and the minimal color palette works well with that.
I did, howver, put in a bright butter-yellow accent wall in my kitchen when I had it renovated and I display a red KitchenAid and a red food processor on the (black) counters.
Edit: I no longer have that brown item (a turtleneck).
What do you wear with your red jacket?
Given its length (short), the jacket looks quite striking with jeans and boots.
Jeans and boots, my favorite uniform.
Pop of color!!
I am trying to add more color and patterns to my wardrobe. I was a trial attorney for a few years and built up a wardrobe of mostly plain suits. Now I feel more freedom to dress more colorfully. I think even if I went back to a courtroom I’d be more colorful. The advantages of age and experience 🙂 The main reason I don’t have more colors now is I don’t like shopping and I’m very picky about fabric and fit (and my town doesn’t have the best shopping options).
It’s black, but I think the boldest thing in my wardrobe is a short dress with a very deep v in the front and back. I’ve only worn it once b/c it’s def. a certain kind of party dress.
Thanks for broadening my idea of bold. I’d only been thinking about it in terms of color.
Do you ever shop online?
Not much. Unless it’s a brand I already know and I know which sizes fit me. I really don’t like the hassle of returns.
That’s exactly my approach as well.
I have a red sequined holiday cocktail dress that I’ve worn twice. I looooove it! Always looking for an opportunity to rock that dress! They’re rare, because my lifestyle is not red sequined. 🙂
When was the last time you wore it?
Last December at a holiday fundraising gala. Typically, I wouldn’t actually attend, I’d just give money. But with the dress, I felt confident in going!
I love the idea of clothes as an incentive to socialize.