Love the Piece, But the Color Is Off? Here’s What to Do
It happens all the time. You find a piece you love: the fit is great, the style feels like you… but the color is not your best.
Does that mean you shouldn’t wear it? Not necessarily.
Recently, I was with a client trying on a vest that looked amazing in terms of style and fit. The only issue was the color; it was a bit too soft for her, and it didn’t bring out her natural features the way her best colors do.
So instead of giving up on the piece, we made a simple adjustment. We added a black shirt underneath. That small change made a big difference.
The black collar, close to her face, added contrast. And since black is also a great color for her, it immediately brought more balance to the look.
image authorized by the client
But that wasn’t the only thing helping. She was also wearing glasses and a lipstick in colors that work beautifully for her, which makes a big difference too.
Because again, what sits close to your face matters the most. This is something I often explain during a color analysis:
It’s not just about the clothes. Accessories and makeup also play a big role.
Even if a piece isn’t in your best palette, you can often make it work by adjusting what sits closer to your face, such as a top, a scarf, your glasses, or your lipstick.
In this case, the vest worked beautifully when layered. But since she also wanted the option to wear it on its own as a shirt, we decided to order it in a more flattering color as well.
That’s the key: You don’t have to limit yourself, but you do want to be intentional.
Understanding your best colors gives you freedom, not restriction. It helps you know when to adapt… and when it’s worth choosing a better option.
If you’ve ever said, “I love it, but the color is not for me,” you now know that sometimes it still can be. It’s all about how you wear it.
If you want to understand which colors truly work for you and how to wear the ones that don’t, my Color Analysis sessions (in-person or online) are a great place to start.
Book a Color Analysis in Person:
Hi, I’m Marcia Crivorot, a Personal Stylist based in NY. Once a month, I send newsletters featuring style tips, recommended brands, and a shopping guide. Unlock previous editions of my newsletters and receive my emails firsthand by subscribing.
Disclosure: Remember that I link products and companies based on their quality, my personal opinion, my experience, and my professional expertise. Some of the links in my posts are affiliate links, and if you go through them to make a purchase, I will earn a small commission. The decision is yours, and whether or not you buy something is entirely up to you.