A couple of years ago, when I made an initial purge of my closet to create a more cohesive wardrobe, there were several themes I noticed.

First, the majority of the “colors” I was discarding were vibrant shades… more in the “primary” or “neon” color category… more “single outfit pieces” as I like to refer to them…

Second, after I addressed the issue of no color coordination whatsoever, I discarded items that I just didn’t have an occasion to wear anymore. I was officially finished with the bachelorette + wedding circuit… and I was no longer going into a regular 9-5 office job… so I tossed out pieces such as trousers (do people still use that word??), going out dresses, and other items that fell into the “no place in my life right now” category.

What I was left with was a pretty neutral pallet of clothing to work with. Dressing became easier, I got more wear out of my clothing, purchased fewer items, and became more intentional when I did make purchases. And it’s worked pretty well for me over the past 2.5ish years…

So when it comes time to adding some color to my otherwise neutral wardrobe I follow a single “rule:”

If I purchase this item, can I make 3-4 outfits with pieces I already own in my wardrobe?

And what I’ve found is that shades of pink, green/blue, and leopard tend to mix well with the neutral shades I lean towards…. and the more muted the tone, the better it goes (so pastel shades or lighter hues in the pink/blue/green family).

When the seasons change, I tend to add more color than usual… in the fall it’s rust tones… in the spring and summer it tends to be pinks + greens/blues. So today I am sharing a few pieces in those color categories that I either own, or have my eye on, that help to bring nice variation into my outfits… and sharing several ways I’ve styled them over the past couple of weeks below…

I should also note here that nothing is officially “off limits.” I always like to leave room for “special” pieces… maybe a bright red dress that really can only be worn 1-2 ways, but still serves a purpose…. I just don’t make those purchases often.
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(Leopard Bodysuit | Seamless Ribbed Tank (in dusty pink) | Slub Ruffle Dress | Sweater Tee (heather laurel color) | Seamless Ribbed Tee | Ribbed Joggers + Pullover | SoftAF Joggers + Hoodie | Blush Tee + Joggers | Military Shirt Jacket)
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(Blush Sweatpants (also these work) | Half Zip | Sweater Coat)
Sweatpants can also be worn with blush tee + tan shacket
OR
With white ribbed seamless top + sweater coat
OR
With white ribbed seamless top + tan shacket
OR
With a grey pullover or tee

(Joggers)
Joggers also work with the seamless white ribbed top

(Joggers | Pullover | Shacket | Sneakers)
Pullover works with white joggers

(Joggers | Top | Slides)
Joggers can also be worn with the white half zip I shared above
OR with a fitted grey tank
OR with the matching half zip

(Cardigan (same color at the sweater tee linked above))
Could also wear this cardigan with high waisted jeans and the white ribbed seamless top
OR
With white denim + a white tank
OR
With grey joggers + a grey pullover (like the Lou + Grey set I own)

(Shacket | Sweatpants (these work too) | Tee)