The Budget Fashionista

Among the long list of suggestions I have for the clothing retailers, it would be to please stock more pieces in solid colors.  There are so many lovely colors out there, but sometimes it seems like most clothing is available in only prints (or maybe solid black).  Yes, fancy prints get a low of oohs and ahs, but I’ve learned to look past them and make a beeline to solid colors.  Don’t get me wrong—I nice prints, too.  However, I only achieved a really workable wardrobe after I started stocking up on a variety of solid colors. 

In fact, if I were to give my number one fashion tip it would be to build one’s wardrobe around solid color pieces.  They can be a mix of basic pieces and pieces with really interesting details like different necklines and sleeves, but by focusing on solid colors it is a whole lot easier to mix and match pieces!  I can almost build an outfit blind-folded.  Top? Check! Bottom? Check! Cute shoes and a funky accessory? Check, check! 

Of course, I’m not saying that every piece has to be a solid color.  I do have some prints, but they are mostly patterned skirts since I know that patterns do tend to accentuate an area and I have no problem showing off my curvy hips.  And since I have so many solid color tops, I can easily incorporate these prints into outfits.  However, I have a much deeper respect for solid color pieces now than a few years ago when I couldn’t put an outfit together without an hour’s notice.

So, I guess what I want to know is: Is your wardrobe mostly solids or prints?  Do you think stocking up on solids makes it easier to assemble outfits?

Personally, I stick to solid colors and buy prints to match my ‘base’.  I usually don’t buy prints unless the color scheme will coordinate with my key pieces. 

My core solids:  black, white, camel, tan/cream, grey, red, and gem stone hues.  As a result, I have a lot of black and white prints.

In my experience, Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy and Target have been pretty good at stocking solids.

I think sticking to solids is a great idea.  My mom always said that if you want to appear to have tons of options stick to solids because people remember prints.  So I agree go for the solids and play it up with different patterned scarves and fun jewelry to spice up an outfit.  Check these out…

http://tinyurl.com/74qcjs
http://tinyurl.com/9yqvfe

Pair these with some skinny jeans tucked into tall boots and you’re all set or throw a great sweater over the top and it changes again….great versatility with solids!

TexanBargainHunter - 31 December 2008 01:34 AM

Personally, I stick to solid colors and buy prints to match my ‘base’.  I usually don’t buy prints unless the color scheme will coordinate with my key pieces. 

My core solids:  black, white, camel, tan/cream, grey, red, and gem stone hues.  As a result, I have a lot of black and white prints.

In my experience, Banana Republic/Gap/Old Navy and Target have been pretty good at stocking solids.

I love that color scheme!  I wear a lot of jewel tones, too.  And it’s nice to see that you’re using a lot of different neutrals.  On days when I’m not really feeling all the color, I love to mix neutrals.

Great tip about the stores!  I need to remember to add them to my regular shopping spots.  Even though I love those stores, I sometimes forget to check them just because other stores, like Ross and T.J. Maxx, get so much of my attention.

bellechic27 - 31 December 2008 12:48 PM

I think sticking to solids is a great idea.  My mom always said that if you want to appear to have tons of options stick to solids because people remember prints.  So I agree go for the solids and play it up with different patterned scarves and fun jewelry to spice up an outfit.  Check these out…

http://tinyurl.com/74qcjs
http://tinyurl.com/9yqvfe

Pair these with some skinny jeans tucked into tall boots and you’re all set or throw a great sweater over the top and it changes again….great versatility with solids!

Great outfit!  I love scarves!  They can be hard to pull off when your outfit is already busy, but with a nice solid top like that it couldn’t be easier. 

And it sounds like your mom is a very wise woman!  I think people really overestimate how many clothes I have.  (I make up for that by having a huge collection of shoes and other accessories, though.)

I use neutrals and secondary neutrals as my base, and then I build with mostly solids. I do have a bunch of print items, but since the majority of my clothes are solid, the prints are easier to coordinate. I have a very straight figure, so my print skirts add a feminine touch.

I would never advise anyone to avoid prints entirely, but I would advise that you use prints for no more than 20% of your wardrobe. And make sure that those prints flatter you and also look sophisticated.

I’m all about the solid colors. I’m very much a fan of simplicity and, in fact, a good deep purple or bright yellow can say a lot more than a busy pattern!

When it comes down to it, a trend is only as good as its setter, though! You’ve got to be yourself—or you’ve got to show a side of yourself that would otherwise fall to the wayside… for example, I consider myself a very creative person, always trying new things. But there’s a calmer, simpler me that is evident in my clothes.

I also wear solid colors a lot! As LauraJaneKyle said they are simple and nice and you can combine them with almost everything. That’s what I like most about them! With prints you can’t be as creative as with solid color clothes.

wow, i’m so happy to be in a place with so many like-minded fashion gals…

i too have a mostly solid color wardrobe.  so much, in fact, that on my “to look for” list are some patterns.  i’ve found a couple, but still find myself gravitating to solid colors.  something else that i’m not sure i saw mentioned is the variety of textures you can find in solid color knits and how much fun it is to mix colors and textures to make something unique and visually interesting.

playing with colors is my favorite aspect of building an outfit, and solids are so much more conducive to that.  you can mix and layer 4 different shades of blue and purple (including shoes) without having an outfit look “too busy”, which is what i’m always trying to avoid.