I Need Some Colour!

how to wear casual chic over 50

Lately, all my outfits have been mostly navy and white (which is my version of black and white, I suppose).  And now, suddenly, it’s starting to feel a bit… bland, boring even.

Or perhaps it’s the summery sunshine giving way to rain and cooler temperatures. Whatever it is, I’m starting to crave some colour in my life.

Which is why I bought a pink cardigan.

I was just passing the shop, not even seriously looking for anything, and it was there, calling my name… By the way, that’s the way items usually end up in my wardrobe: they find me, and then make it impossible for me to ignore them by gently whispering in my ear…

OK, yes, I admit: that was a lame attempt at avoiding taking responsibility for my shopping spree…

soft colours over 50casual chic over 40

Anyway, pink is one of my best colours. Given that I have very pale skin with pinkish undertones, colours that provide a little bit (but not too much) contrast suit me best. In other words, soft, slightly muted but saturated tones. Such as pink.

And yet, pink is a relatively new addition to my wardrobe: I only started wearing it when I was well into my 40’s (which was a while ago, but…). Until then I actually really disliked pink. Even as a little girl. I found it was way too lame for me.

No, I had nothing against ‘girly‘ colours; for me it was fire engine red or nothing. In fact, bright red dominated my wardrobe from the time I started expressing opinions regarding what I wanted to wear (which, in my case, was when I was about a year old) till my ‘all black phase‘ in my 30’s.

And now that I’m middle-aged, I find that softer colours suit me better. Fire engine red has given way to burgundy, and black has been replaced by navy. I’m still not comfortable with pastels (powdery pastels in particular tend to make me fade into the wall), but I make an exception for pink. Even a sugary sweet shade of pink, such as this one. Just don’t call me cute…

50+ blogger

Outfit details:
cardigan: Esprit / top: J.Crew (old) / trousers: PBO (old) /
bag: Marc Jacobs (old) / sunglasses: Woobs (old) / shoes: Vans / earrings: Uhana

Tiina

What are your best colours?

Linking up with:

Elegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleA Labour of LifeCurly Crafty Mom, Doused in Pink,  Not Dressed As LambLiving on Cloud NineElegance and Mommyhood, Nancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the EdgeA Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashAway from the BlueMummabstylish , The Grey BrunetteMutton Years Style and I, Confessions of a Montreal Styling DivaIndependent Fashion Bloggers

17 Comments

    • Tiina L
      Author
      21 May 2021 / 1:50 pm

      Thanks! I used to think pic was a bit too girly or juvenile, but it’s actually quite striking without being overbearing. And so much kinder to my middle-aged face than bright red…

  1. arlene gomes
    20 May 2021 / 8:09 pm

    That cardigan looks great on you. It brings out the color in your skin. I’m a natural redhead and when I was little, my mother never bought me anything red or pink. I grew up with the idea I couldn’t wear those colors. I still stay away from red but have bought the occasional pink top/sweater. I don’t have the usual pink undertones that redheads usually have. I have a more sallow, yellowish color skin. My mother was olive skinned and my father had the light pink skin. I got a mix of both I guess. So pink doesn’t really do much for me. Do you ever wear red tops? I was wondering how that color looks on you. Hope you have a great day!! Arlene from NJ.

    • Tiina L
      Author
      21 May 2021 / 1:58 pm

      Yes, skin tone makes a difference. I think my skin tone is rather ‘neutral’ in the sense that while I wear mostly colder colours, I also wear some warmer tones (such as peachy-pink, warmer blue tones etc). You might try a warmer tone of pink: salmon pink, or sort of orangey-pink. That might bring out the warmer tones in your skin better.
      Well, I guess I spent most of my childhood and my teens wearing red, so I got a little tired of it. I do have a few (tomato) red sweaters etc. And colder reds always look good on me. I avoid warmer red tones, though, as they might look a bit harsh, or overwhelm me.

  2. q
    23 May 2021 / 9:31 am

    The bright tones of colours do work for you nicely and this pink especially.
    Pink has never been my colour, I find it wearable only when it is very pale. The only bright pink item I have, is a sports jacket. It amazes me why all the women’s sports clothing is either black or flashing pink (or pure magenta even). If I don’t count that sports jacket, I wear mostly muted tones of blue, green and even red. Basic colours or bright tones like your cardigan is, don’t work, so for the green it needs to be dark forest green or lighter minty green or sage and for the reds aubergine or very pale rosy shade. But colours are good, I can’t imagine wearing all black however easy that would be. -q

    • Tiina L
      Author
      24 May 2021 / 1:11 pm

      Thank you!
      Forest green is a lovely colour, I prefer it over, for example, olive green (which really does not suit me at all).
      And don’t even get me started on the sports clothing… As you said, ‘athletic’ outerwear is usually either black (which would be dangerous to wear on those dark autumn evenings) or some horrid neon pink or orange. OK, I get that such vibrant colours make you visible, but still, shouldn’t there be a few more options? Maybe with some reflector stripes or details or something?

      • q
        26 May 2021 / 8:38 pm

        hehe… even my teenager was complaining about the colour choices for sports clothes so I don’t mind you going on about it. And yes, reflector patterns would even look cool. -q

  3. 24 May 2021 / 11:39 pm

    That saturated pink still has plenty of oomph, and it’s a favorite of mine to wear with navy and white.

    • Tiina L
      Author
      26 May 2021 / 3:35 pm

      Thanks, Sally! Yes, pink is quite a statement colour.

  4. shelbeeontheedge1
    27 May 2021 / 4:39 pm

    As soon as I saw the first photo of you, it struck me what an amazing color pink is on you! I was never partial to pinks either until I started blogging and realized from my photos what colors work best on me. Now I have tons of pink things in my closet. I am dressed in pink and denim right now actually! Anyway, I love this whole outfit on you. The color palette is one of my favorites!

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Tiina L
      Author
      31 May 2021 / 11:47 am

      Thanks!
      Yes, I’ve also learned so much about colours and shapes since I started blogging. When I look at my photos, it’s so obvious which colours work and which don’t. In ‘real life’ I also always get a lot of compliments when I wear something pink or red, but somehow it’s easier to overlook that…

  5. 29 May 2021 / 2:21 am

    This is a lovely shade of pink on you, you’re so right! And it looks great with the navy. I really like navy and pink together! I think a cardigan or scarf in a bright colour like this is a fun way to brighten up an outfit and make an old staple feel new!

    Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! Hope you are having a great weekend!

    • Tiina L
      Author
      31 May 2021 / 11:49 am

      Thanks, Mica! Yes, adding some bright colour really brightens up the whole outfit.

  6. 7 June 2021 / 2:10 am

    Pink looks lovely on you! I went through a real pink phase in my thirties and then a few years later went off it completely. Now I love wearing all the colours! Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      Author
      7 June 2021 / 3:50 pm

      Thanks, Emma! I think we all have these periodic colour crushes. I had a weird love-hate relationship with olive green once (it’s so not my colour, looked awful on me).

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