Seeing Red: Building a Capsule Collection in Color

Most capsule wardrobe advice online is going to encourage the building of a wardrobe collection in neutral colors. Black, white, beige, gray, and navy make up the primary colors for the wardrobe, and earthy browns, greens, and maroons often offer accents of warmth. This palette offers the wearer versatility and range. It covers what one might need for a funeral, classy night on the town, or last minute beach vacation.

But what about those of us who desire a flush of bright pink, or the heat of red, or the pick-me-up of orange? What about the maximalists who want to layer plaid on plaid and transport themselves back in time through a royal purple corduroy jacket and pant set? Where is the capsule guidance for these dressers?

It is important to me as a stylist and teacher that I do not tell my clients what they “should” wear, but rather how they can assemble and compose the clothing they do like. We don’t have to have the same style to work together because I what provide are tools for you to use how you want to use them. More important than the specific colors in a wardrobe are the color relationships. How are you arranging the colors on the canvas that is you? What kind of vibration do you want to emit?

Through the outfits in this carousel, I aim to build a mini capsule collection that highlights the color red. Red shows up in a hat, purse, belt, shirt, pants, and skirt. I pair these pieces with my day-to-day jeans, boots, and T'-shirts, proving that I can find numerous day-to-day outfit occasions to wear these red pieces. Though, I would probably save the red skirt for something fancy like a holiday or dinner out. But, you can wear the red skirt to walk your dog. Who cares?! Red can be both an accent and a foundational color in the wardrobe. Dress in red from head to toe every day of the week if you want to.

I would love to know if there is a color in your wardrobe you want help working with. Perhaps you own just one piece in this color and would like to purchase more garments in this hue, but do not know where to start. Or, you have multiple pieces in a color and are unsure of how to put them all together. Write me here and we’ll see what we can do!