Sunset Shadings

Previously, I shared how my inertia-based spring/summer closet analysis was right about one thing: I did, in fact, POSSESS clothing in shades other than black or grey. I then confessed how getting off my keister to actually investigate vs theorize about what I owned revealed a shocking truth…a wardrobe whose tonality teeter-totter was still firmly planted on the dark side.

As a recovering blacktextile-a-holic, I tend to grossly overestimate how much color-color I own and how vibrantly I dress. I enjoy giving myself vast amounts of credit for wearing a hot pink skirt with a deep purple blazer once a year, or for daring to wear a multi-hued necklace and a pale blue T-shirt AT THE SAME TIME—even if the overall look turns out to resemble something that a successful catburglar might sport whilst maximizing her company’s profit margin.

Personal failings aside, I didn’t see how I could still have a VaderCloset when I’d spent the last 10 months making strategically non-superstaid buys. Between the Dress of a 1000 Nipples, my patterned cardiwrap, Ole Stripey, a sweater that was basically a pile of rosy-purple fluff, my Sarong Song Dress—plus 5 new warm-weather items—I certainly felt as if I were deep in My Pretty Pony territory.*

But my wardrobe was saying otherwise.

So I decided to “oh-yeah-I’ll-show-you” the damn thing that I could HANDLE the peeeeenk. I’d force myself to wear only combinations that drew from my sunset shades, and I’d have an amazing, regret-free time doing it.

Adding a rosy wrap to last year’s whoa-pattern! custom dress wasn’t hard to take:

Easing into Project Swaddled in Sunset Shades with a rosy wrap + last year's 40th birthday purchase, the Dress of 1000 Nipples

This rose cascade cardigan is super-sheer, but I'm trying to pretend pattern showthrough--and standing as if I desperately need to find a bathroom--doesn't bother me

I’m afraid I copped out when it came to adding my newly-pink’d up, skintone-flattering sandals to the equation, though. Enter very pale legs sporting store-bought success vs a DIY triumph:

Note my toes' death grip: apparently they fear these new skintone-esque shoes will swapped out for clashy beige

HOWEVER

While my closet analysis revealed I certainly had a few easygoing, mild blush pinks in the house, a lot of highly saturated shades were staring me in the eyeballs.

SP/SU 10 closet color grouping: Sure, my new spring buys were heavy on the better-than-botox pinks...but Team Grey/Black is still winning the numbers game

L, SP/SU 10 Closet Quarantine: The Sunset Shades; R, focus on my 5 post-winter additions

I had planned to pair most of the deeper and/or brighter hues with deep browns and dark denim, but for now that was off the table. So since I’d been itching to wear my coral metallic patent (just add coke spoon necklace!) sandals and the weather was finally decent, they went out for a spin with my new chevron knit skirt:

L, Sarong Song Dress waits for its chance with coral metallic patent wedges; R, chevron skirt beats it to the punch

The skirt I had made up in the same fabric as my cardiwrap because I think it’s SO FREAKING AWESOME. Especially since it solved that eternal question: what do you pair with (misguidedly bought on sale 3 years ago) bright rose micro-fishnets if you don’t want the focus on your legs?

Who says pink is always sweet?

Taking my self-imposed capsulette challenge seriously, man, by mixing pinks and purples

Shaking it up in sunset shades as well as demonstrating that baby got very little back

So far, so good. Mood up, skin glowing.

Before donning items from the most vibrant portion of my capsulette, though, I faltered. Luckily a couple of familiar faces were breaking out THEIR spring brights…surely I could do the same?

Spring 10: Bright Lights

Thus inspired to carry on with my experiment, I forced myself to wear the only pants in this grouping—eggplant cords—with my new Hoedown Scarf, a sleeveless plum sweater, and a long-sleeved berry T-shirt:

Surprisingly, I managed to run around town without dying from sugar shock

Hmmmmmm. A bit HELLO HELLO for my current comfort level, but I survived. On the up side, having experience with a seems-conspicuous-to-me combination may prove useful; while my Raspberry Sorbet Blouse is currently out for alterations, I’m pretty sure it’ll demand to be seen with the chevron skirt when people are around.

Hoedown Scarf + sneak peak of away-for-alterations Raspberry Sorbet Blouse

Based on the last week, I’m thinking I might have to revisit my faxwear capsulette before that day comes. Just to regroup a bit. To cleanse my palate, celebrate my roots. And take a break from having to live up to such goddamn CHEERFUL shades.

* I blame the trifecta of Ms Fizz, CoutureAllure.com’s gorgeous vintage frock, and a certain infamous Funny Face clip for getting me hooked on peeeeeenk. Though I suppose it could be a byproduct of alien abduction.]