Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Hydrangea Hues

This fall my wardrobe could be described as "neutral, with a chance of colour".

I have taken my cues from nature and dressed like the garden.


So a few weeks ago, I spotted a little ensemble from Royal Robbins which is the colours of my fading hydrangea...Royal Robbins is a lovely company that specializes in outdoor adventure clothing and nice sportswear.
 



A lovely wool-cotton knit skirt, matching long sleeve t-shirt and matching cardigan - comfortable and so like the fall...


so like the hydrangeas drying in my office....


I find the colour soothing and soft, but they also go well with other things in the wardrobe, like greys, and browns and greens.  One must take cues from nature to learn what matches what!

While I do not normally wear these shades, they are nice for these days, when the light is changing and the bright shades of summer give way to the faded hues of autumn.  Later in the fall, I will need all of the bright hues I can get to pair with my navys, and blacks and greys, but right now, they seem just right.

This picture below, from Pinterest, capture the washed out essence of fall:



Every season has its colour story, and sometimes it is nice to dip into it, now and then...

How about you - choosing and faded hues this fall?

Have a great day and stay safe out there!

38 comments:

  1. I confess I don't own many "neutrals" so to speak. I love bright colors and quirky prints, and my husband keeps chiding me for not owning enough "plain" stuff. On the other hand, I like neat and clean lines. It really is a balancing act, as there is a fine line between modern vintage and costumes, which is not sophisticated.
    Really smart of you to follow nature, W. With that cue, I am going to try to incorporate more neutrals. I am not a trendy person, so looking out the window really is a way of finding inspiration that suits me!

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    1. Hi AB - I only have gotten a few this fall and they are a nice addition to a generally vivid wardrobe. Of course, I always crave colour and at the very least, I am wearing bright red or fuchsia lipstick. However, I think this is more of an early fall approach to dressing. As the fall progresses, I will be adding more colour as I unpack my vividly-coloured cashmere sweaters!

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  2. I tend to stick to the same colours all year round, well, white in summer but I don't own an awful of of white, then camel, grey, black bit of navy and the odd splurge of red or emerald green.
    There's something very Bloomsbury about your new outfit.

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    1. You'll need more white before the Cali Fiddypalooza then...start squirreling.

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    2. I kind of look like a faded Vanessa Bell, don't I - a bit like an old photograph! Well the other day I was in a gorgeous red cardigan, not modelled here yet, and the colour just fed my soul! I am looking forward to unpacking emerald green sweater!

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  3. I suppose like the weather I am a bit gray funny enough. i am finding black too harsh and white in this country is stark so gray and brown to mimic the weather and surroundings...Yes I concur with Tabs you are looking very BBury!

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    1. Hi CSW - I hear you! I think I can do this some days on these absolutely softly coloured but sunny fall days. In the winter, I would need a cobalt scarf with this and would probably split the outfit out a bit!

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  4. I think I am going to be wearing more neutrals this fall/winter -- I have felt like a weirdly quirky peacock around here as I appear to be the only one not wearing black/brown/gray. But, you know, my SOUL needs some color sometimes -- nevertheless, a bit more neutrals in my palette will be a good thing.

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    1. Montydd you have to wear what makes YOU, not the masses happy. (Don't comment, but a shout-out for your blog as well.

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    2. I hear you Monty and GF! I could never give up my bright colours - it wouldn't feel like me at all, but I do like have more neutral to pair them with and I loved this colour - this outfit makes me feel lovely!

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    3. Thanks guys! Wendy, you look awesome in that outfit so I'm glad you also feel it too. GF, thanks very much for the shout-out, that is lovely.

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  5. I love that your outfit is inspired by nature. Very romantic.

    Royal Robbins, the man, is a climbing legend. I highly recommend looking him up!

    GF, happy belated birthday! I hope it was a good one.

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    1. Thanks Abby, for a Monday it was a fine one. WMM's clubhouse wishes were a lovely surprise. And I still have a couple of treats to look forward to.

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    2. Hi Abby - I did do a bit of reading about him and the clothing line is carried by our local outfit store. I have bought a few items there in the last few months because they are so comfortable! I was looking for a knit skirt and loved this and then couldn't resist the two other pieces!

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  6. Lovely colours, I was thinking yesterday that I am attracted to clothes that mimic nature more and more. I think years of seeing real brights like neon sweaters etc has turned us towards the softer hues? My accent colour is a dark red for fall, just the shade some of the leaves are tuning now. Mind you it's only on a scarf and a clutch bag in my closet but it's just enough to perk up the other sort of bark colours I've been wearing.
    Your outfit is gorgeous, perfect for writing and taking a walk in the woods. You're looking lovely Wendy!

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    1. Dani, that clutch is so worthy of being the main accessory.

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    2. Hi Dani - I think you are right - for awhile, my wardrobe got completely out of whack - there was only colour and then dark suits for work. I am finding a happy medium, I think. I bought a lovely red Roots crossbody bag a while ago and it is a fun pop! The key for me is the dark lip. I need colour on my face or I am washed out, regardless of the colour I am wearing!

      It is funny, I find now that I am looking for comfortable frocks they are showing up everywhere! I just never looked for them before, I guess!

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    3. I think Dani is on to something. I love colour, but have begun to crave softer and more subdued hues lately, although with summer almost here it's hard not to embrace glorious bright shades!

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    4. The one thing I am discovering is that if I find a hue that looks good on me, I snap it up! Colours go in and out of style and I might not see it again for awhile! I avoid most "it" colours now - I fell into the trap in the past, and it never worked for me!

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  7. UP THE GARDEN PATH WMM, you look lovely and cozy. Somehow I accumulated a whole autumn clothing set (dark pine, gold, chocolate etc.) I blame it on those self-propagating Schoolboys and a certain DBP/ Seigfried/ my gramps (Harris tweed). While it is a bit "country" compared to the all-black place I am working now, making a point to wear. Like fall shades mixed with jewels tones or navy. And I would look out the window for dressing inspiration, but still pitch black here.

    Thanks again to you and everyone who extended birthday wishes yesterday, fine surprise that warmed my cockles. Report to follow on "H".

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    1. Oh, and just in case you thought I missed your pop culture smarts, totally grabbing the small fry of a friend next weekend for CWACOM 2. And then dinner - meatballs.

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    2. HI GF - that movie was #1 at the box office last weekend - apparently it is very funny!

      I was always a peacock at work and still am in real life (off to comment with Monty!) - the all black or brown things wore on me and I decided at some point about 7 years ago that I wanted to stand out and so added colour. I got a lot of positive comments and then the odd negative one by folks who would say - my, you don't mind colour, do you?

      Of course today I plan to wear my cobolt blue moto jacket bought for a song in SJ earlier this fall, so I gotta have that coloir!!

      So glad you had an awesome birthday!

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    3. Did not yet get to comment on the previous post, but happy belated birthday, GF!

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    4. Much appreciated AB, I gotta keep the happy goin'!

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  8. Got dressed for church Sunday and my hubs, who rarely comments except for the whistle and catcall, said i looked like winter was already here! Guess I was a bit too drab. Changed my chunky sweater and pouted all through church. The nerve of that man:) You look lovely, and comfy, and toasty, and warm...the clothes are nice too.

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    1. BB, I grit when the bloke does that. Laughing at you pew pouting - been there.

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  9. Your outfit looks so cozy, I like it! I can't wear that kind of thing yet. It's great for morning but I'd be wishing for shorts by afternoon. Then by evening it's cool again. I love this time of year, the weather is so nice, but it's hard to dress for it.

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    1. sadly - we are well out of shorts weather here!! How I miss it!

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  10. Hi WMM, really cute outfit, you look lovely!! I am also wrapping myself up in the colours of the season. I saw a maple tree on the weekend with the same rich red colours as your last photo - such a beautiful sight but also made me feel a little melancholy.

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    1. I know - this morning I was lying in bed, looking at red maple leaves in front of my window, a start contrast to the grey skies.. I will miss them...

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  11. Very nice outfit!
    Love the colors,even though i coudnt wear them.
    It is still to warm here for cozy stuff,but the mornings and evenings def require a cardigan.

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    1. lucky you! Am in leggings and boots and a dress AND a sweater!

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  12. Hi Wendy, you look so cosy in that outfit. I do like a good neutral, I'm very partial to camel, I think it looks so classy, but those dusty pinks and pale greens of your hydrangeas are lovely too.

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    1. Thanks Patricia - I think I would look sick in a pale green, though I do adore it!

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  13. I like these colors with your hair Wendy. I need to follow you down the neutral path. I feel so drawn to the prints at the Crew and other shops that sometimes my overflowing closets just feel like a paint shop after an bomb went off. Lots of beautiful colors but nothing salvageable! I overlook the sensible basics but at least one a week I say, " I need a black cardigan for this". Do I have one? NOOOO.

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    1. SC - I am right there with you! For two years, all I had was frosting and no cake. I find it is nice to have the basics and then you can colour onto them and that makes a huge difference! I did not have a camel cardigan till last spring and I finally found one I really loved this fall!

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  14. Neutral is never a bad thing! Those flowers are just lovely, as are the leaves. :) You look great for the season!

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    1. Thanks Laura - I am sure you are a long way from heavier knits!

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