Help, I can’t find my colors at the Mall…

When you booked your color analysis you may have done so thinking it would make it easier to shop for clothing. But now that you have really seen yourself for the first time, when you look around the stores at the Mall, it’s possible you no longer find yourself there at all.

Certainly the more in-tune with yourself you become there’s a “serendipity” that can happen wherever you go shopping, but it does take time to learn to ignore the distractions and hone in immediately on just the clothing and accessories in-store that truly relate to you.

And perhaps you are discovering that you and the Mall can no longer be BFF’s. So then where or how is a woman to shop ?

Let’s start with your current approach to shopping. If you usually shop by strolling your local shops you may need to start looking online or driving to another town or city to find your colors, fit and style aesthetic. If you’ve been in the habit of purchasing complete outfits you might need to switch to purchasing pieces one-at-a-time until you have the complete outfit you want. If you have been loyal to a single brand or store, you may find that you need to broaden your search to new brands or smaller boutique labels. If you are a Spring/Summer you may find it easier to find your colors during those times of the year whereas an Autumn type may have a better selection in the fall/winter offerings.

But there are so many other ways to find or create garments to match your color and style aesthetic.

One client has been dying all her old white clothing in her personal colors using Rit all purpose dyes. You can find a complete list of their color formulas here. And garments can be dyed right in your washing machine. Or perhaps you’d like to try your hand at natural dyes.

White or lighter colored purses and shoes can be painted using leather paint which you can find here.

Do you own a garment in the perfect color but not the perfect style for your seasonal style expression? You can up-cycle cardigans, jackets, coats, shirts or pants in a variety of creative ways. Add some embroidery, trim, patches, paint, lace, buttons etc. Check out my pinterest board for inspiration here.

Do you knit or sew? Put those skills to great use and create a wardrobe tailor made for you. But if that’s not your gift, you can still purchase yarn or fabric in your colors and commission someone else to create a custom garment for you. There are also many talented individuals on Etsy who will take custom orders as well. Just be sure to read reviews and return/refund policies before purchasing.

Check out museum stores for unique jewelry, clothing and accessories. Browse online specialty shops such as Duluth Trading company for casual wear or Coolibar or beach shops for sun- protection wear. And you can add UV protection to any garment with this product here. Check out vintage style clothing at Modcloth. Bridal stores are a great spot to shop for dressier pant suits and dresses in just about every color imaginable. Factory Outlet stores often have an alternate color story than their mall counterparts. And whenever you travel, build in some time to shop in another state or country where you may find selections you can’t find closer to home. Artisan custom Jewelery makers like Katherine Moffat can be found online. Roam outdoor markets for specialty clothing and jewelry vendors, Thrift and consignment stores can often give you additional colors/styles from past seasons and if you want some insider tips on navigating shopping for used clothing on ebay, take our great primer course here.

Yes, sometimes the “perfect” garment or accessory will cost a little more than you are used to paying or take a little more time to find or customize, but better to be patient and have a smaller wardrobe where everything harmonizes perfectly with you than a large wardrobe of inexpensive items that you don’t feel good in and that don’t support you.

And don’t forget during a season when you are struggling to find clothing in your colors you might focus on purchasing shoes, boots, sandals, purses, hats, coats, scarves, wraps, gloves, pajama’s, socks, underwear, swimwear, jewelry, eyeglasses, make-up, nail polish etc. These items are almost always accessible in any color or style. So stock up on those basic items while you wait for your colors to show up in clothing in-store.

I do empathize with those of you who are struggling to find much-needed wardrobe items in your colors, I have the same struggle myself and I can tell you that patience and persistence really does pay off. Hopefully the above information will help you to expand your search and give you more success in finding your colors and styles because there’s nothing so attractive as a woman whose clothing is visually harmonious with herself.

Need a little help with where to start in building your wardrobe? Check out my online courses here.