A 12 Piece Colourful Fall Capsule Wardrobe

It’s such an interesting topic that I get a lot of queries about, so I know that a lot of people have been waiting for this post based on comments and DMs over the past month.

I think there is a lot of misconception when it comes to adding colour to your wardrobe or building a fully colourful wardrobe.

The main one is that in order to have a colourful wardrobe you need to incorporate bold and bright.

That isn’t the case.

While I have some bold and bright colours in this wardrobe, I also include deep, muted, and prints, which always bring something extra to a colourful style.

You can build a colourful capsule wardrobe and focus on colours like navy, burgundy, dark greens, mustard, rust, browns, plum, or any other colours that fall into the deeper colour palettes.

A pairing of green and yellow can be bright and bold like lemon, and mint, or it can be more subdued but still bold with mustard, and olive.

It just depends on what you are looking to achieve.

My youngest is very into the muted tones of colours and has built her wardrobe around them, so we are practising what I am preaching here.

Many would say this falls in line with knowing your colours and what season you are and while I actually love that, it can also be limiting if you feel that you are only allowed to wear colourful clothes based on one palette.

Which often happens after someone gets their colour analysis done.

It is great knowledge to have but don’t box yourself in.

I would focus on colour preferences and comfort level first and foremost, and then bring some of your colours in if they are something that like to wear.

That way you are going to choose colours that you are drawn to versus colours that only fall within the realm of your colour palette.

What is Colour Theory?

Colour theory in fashion is the study and application of how colours work together in clothing and apparel to create pleasing and harmonious combinations.

It’s a fundamental concept in the world of fashion design and styling, and understanding colour theory can help designers, stylists, and individuals make informed choices about the colours they use in their clothing and accessories.

It is like the magical recipe that is behind all the beautiful and eye-catching colours you see in the fashion world.

And because it can get technical and convoluted I am going to break it down in an interesting and easy-to-understand way, so hopefully your eyes don’t glaze over.

The Colour Wheel
I have talked about it before, but imagine a big, colourful wheel, divided into slices like a pie, because I love pie. It has all the basic colours you can think of – like red, blue, and yellow.

These are the primary colours, and they’re the building blocks for every other colour which brings us directly back to grade school.

Mixing Colours
When you mix primary colours together, you create new colours. For example, mixing red and blue gives you purple. These new colours are called secondary colours.

Tertiary colours are like the in-between colours that you get when you mix primary colours (red, blue, and yellow) with their neighbouring secondary colours (orange, green, and purple).

Think of them as the colours that you create when you combine a primary colour with a secondary colour.

Warm and Cool
Colours can also be divided into two big groups – warm and cool. This fall capsule is a mixture of both warm and cool colours like most wardrobes are.

Warm colours, like red and yellow, make you think of things like sunshine and fire. They can feel cozy and energetic.

Cool colours, like blue and green, remind you of the sea and the sky. They feel calm and peaceful.

This is where it starts to get more technical.

Colour Harmony
Creating colour harmony is about using colour combinations that are visually pleasing. Common colour harmonies include:

Complementary Colours
Imagine colours that are like best friends because they look amazing when they’re together. These are called complementary colours.

They sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, like red and green or blue and orange. When they meet, they make each other look even more vibrant.

Is there any wonder why Christmas colours work so well and make us feel so good?

Analogous Colours
Analogous colours are like neighbours on the colour wheel. They are right next to each other and go well together. For example, blue, green, and yellow are all neighbours.

They create harmonious and soothing colour combinations.

Triadic Colours
Triadic colours involve a set of three colours that are evenly spaced around the colour wheel.

These combinations are used to create visually pleasing and balanced outfits, and they are an important tool for fashion designers and stylists to achieve vibrant and harmonious looks.

Neutrals
Neutrals, such as black, white, grey, and beige, are versatile and can be used to balance and complement more vibrant or saturated colours in an outfit.

They serve as a backdrop and are essential in many fashion designs.

It is always important to have a collection of neutrals in your capsule wardrobe.

Not only because they can tie bright colours together, but they are nice to wear and then use colour as an accent in your shoes, handbags, or accessories on those days that you want to wear less bold and colourful clothing.

Colour Psychology
The psychological impact of colours plays a crucial role in fashion. Different colours can evoke various emotions and associations.

For example, red can symbolize passion and energy, while blue may represent calm and trust.

Fashion designers and stylists often consider these psychological aspects when selecting colours for specific garments or collections.

Understanding colour theory in fashion allows designers, stylists, and individuals to create visually appealing and impactful outfits.

It also enables them to make informed choices about colour combinations, which can affect how clothing is perceived and how it makes the wearer feel.

How to Build a Colourful Capsule Wardrobe?

Building a colourful wardrobe can be a fun and creative process that allows you to express your personal style and add vibrancy to your daily outfits.

Start by identifying the colours that you feel confident and comfortable wearing. Consider the colours that you are drawn to and make you feel good.

Neutrals like black, white, grey, navy, and beige can serve as a foundation for your colourful wardrobe. These colours work well with almost any other colour, allowing you to create balanced outfits.

Incorporate bold and vibrant colours into your wardrobe. These can include red, yellow, green, blue, purple, and any other shades you love.

I explained colour harmony above, but I also think you could take it one step further and get an inexpensive artist’s colour wheel.

It’s fun to play around with and visually see how different colours interact with one another in the world of colourful fashion.

It is also an interesting and informative tool to have in your style toolbox. Yes, everyone should have their own style toolbox, even if it is just information stored in your head like 90% of mine is.

Start small, and if you’re new to wearing colourful clothing, start by adding one or two colourful pieces to your existing wardrobe. This could be a colourful top, scarf, or accessory.

Adding colourful accessories like scarves, belts, shoes, and bags can be an easy way to inject colour into your outfits without committing to a full-colour ensemble.

Try colourblocking. Colourblocking is when two or more colours are combined or stacked in block-like sections.

Most often we will see this in a single garment, but we can get the same or a similar effect through separate pieces.

Start creating outfit combinations. Plan outfits that incorporate your colourful pieces with your neutral ones.

This will help you see how your wardrobe can come together cohesively, so you don’t spend most of your time staring into your closet blankly thinking that you have nothing to wear.

Don’t forget to implement The Wrong Shoe Theory. This means pairing an unconventional shoe with an outfit to get an interesting look that makes it more personal and in tune with your style.

Like ballet flats or heeled booties paired with Adidas track pants. Traditionally you would choose sneakers which always work and are expected, but this small change brings the outfit to another level.

Think about incorporating seasonal colours. Fashion trends often dictate popular colour palettes for specific seasons or years.

These trends are influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural, societal, and economic influences.

Designers and consumers pay attention to these trends when making colour choices.

Thrift and shop sales. Thrift stores can be a great place to find unique and colourful clothing at a lower cost. Look for sales and discounts to add colourful items to your collection without breaking the bank.

Keep your sale purchases to basics, quality pieces, and items that you have wanted for a long time. Stay away from trends on sale since that is often the sign they are losing traction as a trend.

Experiment with layering and mixing textures to create depth and interest in your outfits. For example, a colourful sweater over a neutral blouse can add vibrancy.

OR, a colourful sweater over a print blouse for even more visual interest, like the tie-neck polka dot blouse. Tie that tie and let it hang out in an intentionally haphazard way.

Keep a balance in your wardrobe by mixing bold colours with more subdued or muted ones. This ensures that you have a versatile range of outfit options.

Make your wardrobe truly yours by selecting colours that resonate with your personality, mood, and style. Be open to evolving your colour preferences over time.

Look for colour wardrobe inspiration in magazines, blogs (like this one that you hopefully find useful), social media, and Pinterest. This can help you discover new colour combinations and outfit ideas.

When shopping for colourful clothing, always try items on to ensure they fit well or fit in your preferred way.

This will help you avoid purchasing items that might not work for your style or that you don’t feel good in.

Remember, that the 12 piece capsule wardrobe series is 12 items of clothing plus shoes and accessories.

Since shoes, accessories, and handbags are pieces that we use to complete looks and are easily interchangeable, I don’t include them in the total amount because everyone has varying amounts of these items.

Sometimes, changing your wardrobe to include more colourful clothes can change your perspective on fashion and self-image. It encourages you to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.

It’s important to note that the benefits of a colourful wardrobe can vary from person to person.

Some individuals prefer a more neutral or monochromatic wardrobe, while others thrive on vibrant colours. Ultimately, the key is to find a balance that makes you feel comfortable and confident, whether that involves a colourful or more subdued wardrobe.

Colourful Outfits for Women

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