New Colours: Coral and Olive

Experimenting with colour

Does this colour combo make me look like a pumpkin? I mean, coral pink and olive green… Both are colours that are somewhat new to me. Or at least colours that I would not describe as ‘my colours’ at first glance…

But sometimes it’s good to experiment a bit. Yes, even someone as set in her ways as me has her experimental moments. And this is the result.

I blame fashion designers. They always introduce crazy colours for winter. I mean, it’s either all black and ugly, muddy colours or olive green. The problem is, I’d rather go naked than wear all black and ugly, muddy colours. But I’ve never been an olive green kind of girl…

Before I got this coat, the only other olive green item in my wardrobe was the pair of olive cords I’m wearing here. I have the same trousers in plum and brown, and on a whim I decided to get the trousers in olive green, too. I do that sometimes. Get something in several colours, I mean. And yes, occasionally I also get something in a colour I’ve never worn before. On a whim.

When in doubt, wear red

So, how can I make olive green and coral seem more like ‘my colours’? What can I do to ease myself into a new color combo and still feel I’m not getting too far from my comfort zone?

Well, first of all, no colour exist in a vacuum but is either brightened or toned down by the other colours we see next to it. And second, old Bill Blass got it right: red always works…

To make olive green work for me, I need to mix it with colours that flatter my skin tone. And in my case, red  and burgundy are the perfect colours for statement accessories to give the outfit a lift. Red brightens the olive green and makes the coral jumper seem less orange. The result is a fresh and bright winter look.

Outfit details:

down coat: Cut & Pret / cashmere jumper: Repeat / trousers: Marks and Spencer (old) /

scarf: Carolina Herrera (old) / ankle boots: Nero Giardini (old) /

sunglasses: Dolce and Gabbana (old) / bag: Furla (old)

Do you ever experiment with “new” colours?

Tiina

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishGaray TreasuresHigh Latitude StyleThe Pleated PoppyStyle ElixirA Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the HatSincerely Jenna MarieMore Pieces of MeColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeCoco et La Vie en Rose,  Living on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashThe Fashionista MommaTina’s Pink FridayFake FabulousLazy daisy JonesVanity and MeSheela WritesJodie’s Touch of StyleGlass of Glam

20 Comments

  1. Patti
    20 November 2017 / 1:33 pm

    Loving this experimentation, and I think the olive and coral are brilliant together – not a pumpkin! but a lovely rose. thanks for linking up, and have a great week ahead, xo-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      22 November 2017 / 4:50 pm

      Thanks, Patti. I'm beginning to like olive green…

  2. Petite Silver Vixen
    21 November 2017 / 4:50 pm

    It's good to experiment and I like the way you've done it to find a way that makes it work for you. I'm like you, olive greens, along with sage and khaki, are tricky colours for me to wear as they're not the most flattering against my skin tone. And I agree with you about ugly, muddy colours!https://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/

    • Tiina L
      22 November 2017 / 4:54 pm

      I know what you mean. I usually go for jewel tones as they're better for my skin tone. But I've been tempted to try olive green for a while, maybe because I like it on other people. And isn't it infuriating that some people even look good wearing the ugly, muddy colours?!?

  3. Samantha Blair
    22 November 2017 / 10:18 am

    What a great coat!Just what the weather calls for today.I love the green mixed with coral… it freshens things up beautifully.Thank you for linking up to #fakeituntilyoumakeit!SamanthaXXXFake Fabulous | Style Tips and Fun with Fashion, over 40

    • Tiina L
      22 November 2017 / 4:54 pm

      Thanks, Samantha.Yes, it's winter coat time…

  4. Jill James
    22 November 2017 / 10:21 am

    Your experiment has worked brilliantly , the scarf is just perfect. Olive and coral really are so good together, I must give them a try as they work for me. I must admit to smiling about the blacks and muddy colours as I rather like them probably because they suit me.

    • Tiina L
      22 November 2017 / 4:56 pm

      Yes, you always look fantastic in black. As for me, well, black just makes me look tired…

    • Tiina L
      24 November 2017 / 4:03 pm

      Thanks, Ada. Well, it's not that cold (depends on your definition of cold, of course…) still above freezing.

  5. Shybiker
    23 November 2017 / 6:14 pm

    Yes, red always works. I like this combination of colors and didn't think about pumpkins at all. With reference to your blog's header, I never thought of you as Generation X, probably because I'm not very familiar with the term. Wikipedia tells me it applies to people born between 1965-1985, after the Baby Boomers and before the Millenials. So I guess it's accurate to apply to you if you were born in that period. (I don't know if you were or not and learned long ago never to guess a woman's age.) I'm at the tail-end of the Boomer generation (1957).

    • Tiina L
      24 November 2017 / 4:05 pm

      Yes, I'm Generation X for sure, a typical one at that (you know, sarcastic, pessimistic, smartass…)

  6. Anna of Mutton Style and Years
    23 November 2017 / 6:40 pm

    I like olive and coral. Good combination and I like your analytical approach. http://www.muttonstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      24 November 2017 / 4:06 pm

      Thanks, Anna.

  7. señora Allnut
    23 November 2017 / 7:24 pm

    Lovely color combo, I like olive green, it's one of my favorite neutrals. I think it's a versatile color which enhances warm colors, red or purple or orange!. And your accessorizing is brilliant (as usual!), love your red bag!besos

    • Tiina L
      24 November 2017 / 4:08 pm

      Thanks. I find olive green tricky, never know what to wear with it. I do wear (some) warm colours, too, but in general cool colours suit me better.

  8. Nicole Mölders
    24 November 2017 / 1:54 am

    Coral and olive look great together and on you. Great outfit. Thanks for linking up to Top of the World Style. Nicole at High Latitude Style

    • Tiina L
      24 November 2017 / 4:09 pm

      Thanks, Nicole.

  9. Emma Peach
    28 November 2017 / 11:03 pm

    I really like this colour combination, lovely coat. Thanks for linking up!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      29 November 2017 / 7:34 pm

      Thanks, Emma.

Leave a Reply