Friday, February 11, 2011

Colour Me Happy

My closet was once known as The Black Hole.
I think things are turning around though.
Yes, I've admitted to 24 black dresses and counting, but there's plenty more in the way of glorious colour that's feeding its way in there now.
So I jumped at the chance to answer Modly Chic's weekly question-time - this Friday it's all  about the power of colour.


Orange is an old favourite of mine: thrifted 1970s kaftan, sunnies and beads, 1960s beauty case and metal daisy earrings, black silk rose hair clip, oriental parasol and leather & cane wedges.


1. What color dominates your closet?
Ok so I've established that almighty black is my basic neutral colour.
But I've had a rifle through my closet today and no suprises, there's an abundance of green.
Pale pink and peach seem to be a recurring theme, which were popular underwear colours during the 1930s and 1940s.
I try and pick up vintage pieces in all the above colours when I spot them and the price is right.
Red doesn't feature except in the case of a 1960s wool cape and a 1950s overcoat.
I like to wear red on my lips instead.


2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis in your closet?
I wouldn't change a thing.
Most of my wardrobe is thrifted/vintage and I'm utterly hooked on the unplanned aspect of my shopping habits.
I never, ever know what I'll stumble upon and bring home to hook up with the rest of my clothes.
If money wasn't an issue, I'd still shop mainly secondhand but I'd probably travel far and wide in my search for old treasures and buy more high-end collectable vintage.
If I love something and I can afford it, I'll get it even if it's in a colour where there's not an immediate outfit or styling idea that springs to mind.
I know I'll have a lightbulb moment eventually.

3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?
There's nothing to fear but fear itself.



4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?
Hmmm ... that's tricky because I don't really plan outfits.
I prefer to play around with colour and proportion or shapes.
I'm naturally attracted to faded-out colours but I have plenty of bright bits and pieces - I usually like to throw bright with bright, faded with faded.
A vital aspect of growing old disgracefully involves wearing ensembles that make me look like  a film-set escapee.
I never, ever wear head-to-toe new clothing - I hate to feel starched.
So throwing a little old something on in a never-seen-today colour is vital to creating the  feeling of screwy oddity that I love;).

5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color
into their wardrobe?
Sacramento of Mis Papelicos lives a wonderfully artistic and colourful life ... even her daughters have followed her lead;
Franca of Oranges and Apples knows how to pop bright surprises out of the bag; and
the Comtesse de ferveur never fails to delight me with her wonderful eye for colour.

19 comments:

  1. An escapee from a movie set you ARE! The caftan and the parasol are a lovely combination! Sounds to me like you and I have very similar approaches to shopping.

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  2. That kaftan is A.M.A.ZING! I am so jealous of parasolable weather! And thank you for the shout out!

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  3. Your kaftan is utterly gorgeous, I need to get more of those things for summer. I am with you on the parasol though, I bought one a few months ago and can't wait to use it!

    You get to wear all the colours that look rubbish on me. It is so nice reading blogs so that we can live other style lives vicariously through others x

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  4. Oh yes, that caftan is gorgeous. You use colours and shapes in a very inspiring way.

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  5. Great outfit! I'm unfortunately all matchy-matchy with my colors most of the time - I totally fear coming across as dressed-in-the-dark or colorblind (which runs in the family)... I'll try to loosen it up sometime :)

    Cheers,
    poet

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  6. My dear friend, thank you so much for your mention. Wowwwwwww, it goes straight to my heart...
    I love you wise answers so much: There's nothing to fear but fear itself.
    You are fabulous beyond words.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  7. gorgeous kaftan. it siuts you so well.
    love the mix of colours.

    www.wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  8. Fabulous answers, you wise (and gorgeous) woman!
    I adore you in that dress. You are so right about colour, there is nothing to fear. I can't wait to get my kaftans out the closet. xxx

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  9. I'm salivating over your caftan! You have some of the most beautiful pieces and you wear them beautifully! ~Serene

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  10. LOVE the caftan! I adore how you put items together.

    I think I'm going to steal these questions. They interest me.

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  11. Ooh - I adore caftans too Desiree! I adore this entire outfit and your answers are so perfectly inspiring.

    Sarah xxx

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  12. Love that kaftan, and I had an abhorance for them but am warming when I see yours. (Kaftans were like moomoo's for the older women...)
    Our mantras were similar--color in not to be feared! Love, Paula

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  13. It's precisely because you look like you walked out of a film set and into real life that makes you so intriguing, Des :) x

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  14. lets see
    black
    black
    brown
    black
    black
    and just a hint of a few bright colors
    white

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  15. You pull off this kaftan so beautifully! And, yes, I feel like the leopard coat would be right up your alley. Unfortunately, I hate being in front of the camera, but everyone has been requesting photos of this coat. Hopefully I'll find one by tomorrow that I won't be too embarrassed to post.

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  16. Absolutely gorgeous! And I totally agree...there's a mysterious Black Hole in my closet as well...

    chloe ** http://flowerponychloe.blogspot.com

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  17. I just found your blog through the bella at the citizen rosebud, I am in love with your style! Its fantastic, looking forward to reading more of your posts! x

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  18. Freakin' awesome insight into your dressing habits!
    Digging that caftan and the case......drool!
    XXX

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  19. you are fabulous! i love your blog...and i adore this outfit!

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Just do it ...

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