Is Your Pop Bold or Subtle? - Marsha in the Middle

Well, let’s get the weather report out of the way, shall we? I don’t know why I start these out with weather reports, but I always seem to do it. It seems Mother Nature doesn’t want summer to end quite yet in my neck of the woods. Today, we hit the low 90s. When you walk out the door, it just smacks you upside the head and says, “Listen here, Autumn lover! I will let you know when you can get the pumpkins out. And, today is not that day!” At least the nights are cooler. Today, though, is the third Thursday of the month which means it’s time for another Ageless Style challenge. This month, we are styling “Pops of Color” chosen by Joanne. Last month, Amy selected “Skirts or Shorts.” In the past we have worn Skirts or Shorts, Summer Layers, Polka Dots, and Stripes, and many other ideas. If you’re curious, you can find some of my looks here, here, here, and here. Next month’s prompt is Jeans if you’d like to join us! Please do visit the other hostesses of the link party (oh, yes, there’s a link party) at their various sites!

What’s a pop?

I’m sure I really don’t have to address this, but I still will. Y’all thought this would be short, right? Pops of color are little tosses of a single (or more) color into an otherwise rather neutral (or not) outfit. Pinterest is probably full of pins for this. But, you want to do it right. A pop isn’t going to be the predominant color in your outfit. What pops for me may be what you consider to be a neutral!

How to add a pop…

This may seem daunting to some people because they’ve been told this color or that color just isn’t for them. There’s a little bit of truth in that however much we want to dispute it. For example, I cannot wear peachy pinks near my face, or my neck disappears. So, I’d wear that pop of peachy pink somewhere else. You can add pops of color virtually anywhere on your body.

Your own pop…

Mine would be Diet Coke…oops, wrong pop! If you’re trying to figure out what color would pop for your wardrobe, there are a couple of things you can do. First, think about your favorite color. That was my first inclination for this style challenge. Another is to look in your closet and see if there’s a color that stands out in any way. Hahaha!!! This would never work in my closet. It would have a decade or so ago but not now! If there’s a color that seems to stand out, that could be your pop. A word of caution with this…if your wardrobe is primarily that color, it has stopped being a pop. It’s now your signature color. Look, instead, at the items in your closet to see what colors appear over and over in, let’s say a print, a trim, or even your shoes. As you look at those things, does one color seem to pop out more than the others? Now, remember, it doesn’t have to be the exact same hue, tint, tone, or shade. Just look for that one color.

More ways…

One easy way to determine your favorite pop of color is just that…your favorite color! “But,” you say, “what if it’s not good against my face?” Well, I have the answer to that one. Find a shade, tint, or tone that does work against your face. As I said, peachy pinks don’t work next to my face, but pinks with a blue undertone are fabulous! Of course, you also have to have that ability to see it. It took me years and years to figure things like that out. That’s where taking a photo of yourself in a color makes sense. Take the photo, then look at it. Does it make you look washed out or haggard…perhaps your neck disappears, too! The other thing is you can use that favorite color and use the different shades, tones, and tints (for more information on those terms, read here) as your pops of color. You’re not limited to the one color you love the most. I love purple, but I might use lilac, bright purple, violet, or even mauve (depending on that blue undertone).

A little more…

Another way to determine the pop that’s right for you is to look around your home. I’d even go so far as to say look at your bedroom. Is there a color that seems to drop in here and there to create points of interest? That’s a pop of color you’ve used in your home. It could also be the same one you’d use in your outfits. What colors are you drawn to as you look around your home, your neighborhood, or even the mall? Is there a color you seem to buy over and over? That could be a pop of color for you.

Even more…

This is probably one you use more than I do. Pinterest! Lots of people use Pinterest for inspiration. I haven’t ever really gotten into Pinterest other than for recipes or crafts. But, I know many people use Pinterest for clothing inspiration. Anyhoo, look at your Pins. Is there a color that seems to stand out in them? Social media can also be a place you find your pop of color. Are there photos you may screenshot because you like the colors in it? There’s a possibility for a pop of color!

Dr. Seuss it…

You can put pops on pops, right? Let’s say you’re wearing a neutral bottom, and you pull out a top in the range of your pop of color. But, the outfit seems unfinished. So, you pull out a cardigan, a duster, a jacket, or a blazer. And, it just so happens to be in the range of your pop of color. Could you, should you, would you wear them together? Surely, you know the answer to that, right? If you like it, that’s all that matters! The answer is you can and should wear pops on pops. You can also wear pops on pops on pops!

Where to put pops…

Now, here’s where it gets fun! Pops of color can be simply the color of the top you’re wearing under a jacket. It can be the jacket. It can also be both. But, you can also use your handbag as your pop of color. I admit, I have an abundance of bags, many of which are varying shades of brown. One year, for our anniversary, Nigel bought me a turquoise bag. Now, I have several different colors. Another way to add an instant pop of color is a scarf (or two). Maybe, your belt could be your pop. How about your jewelry? Accessories are the perfect place to Dr. Seuss it! You can wear varying shades of your pop in your bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. You might tie a scarf in a completely different shade. The possibilities are almost endless, aren’t they?

The outfit…

I had a rather substantial Nordy Note to use so I decided to buy this gorgeous Frances Valentine Skirt. Is it a splurge? You better believe it, but it’s also so very me! They pair it with a striped tee. If I could at all not copy the exact outfit, I was going to do that. I went shopping in my closet and found this kinda polka dotted Gudrun Sjödén tee. It had ivory polka dotty things, and the blacks matched. That’s not always the case with what we all consider neutrals. It may look like I’m wearing a belt, but that’s a feature of the skirt. It has a side zipper along with pockets! I’m not 100% crazy about those big ol’ blooms on my posterior, but I do love the skirt!

The Lewk!

Now for the pops of color! I know most people would choose red as their pop of color with a black/white or black/ivory outfit. I, however, am not most people! At first, I was going to go with purple. When I looked for a purple necklace, this Ombre Wine Gillian Necklace from Sylca Designs just screamed, “Pick me! Pick me!” How could I ignore its pleas? I then added a pair of Assuta Blush Drop Earrings. I am telling you…if you only buy one thing from Sylca Designs (I’m not sponsored nor do I have a code), these are what you want! There’s a plethora of colors! The next step was figuring out footwear. I had thought about my Miz Mooz Shay sandals, but I decided these Farrah (sold out) slides in this color were much better! I know it doesn’t look like they are even in the same color family, but almost my whole body separates them from each other. I think you can say I Dr. Seussed this outfit!

Wrap it up, Marsha!

I am always so surprised at how much bolder I dress now. When I was teaching, I admit I was known for dressing up, but I wasn’t ever into being creative with the way I dressed. I often just bought an entire outfit from the Talbots catalog. I realize I sometimes do that with Gudrun Sjödén clothing. I think I do that because I’m shopping online. As a woman of a certain age, I also know I’m expected to, shall we say, disappear and be happy with my safe neutrals. If you’ve been reading my blog for any time at all, you know that’s not me. I don’t necessarily want to be noticed so much as I want to love what I wear. There are also those times I use my colorful clothing as armor (or dopamine dressing). So, can we talk? Where do you like to wear pops of color? How do you determine your pops of color? Do you have a go-to color palette? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.

Thank you!

I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.

Affiliate links, discount codes, and such:

Just a reminder that Marsha in the Middle may use an affiliate link. Those links are usually italicized. If you click or make a purchase from an italicized link I provide, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support. My April Cornell code, MARSHA15, now works, but it’s good for only one use. You can get $15 off $100. I’d wait and use it during a really good sale! Use Marsha12 for 12% off any order of $65 or more at Buykud. I have also become a Halftee Partner. Use the code, MARSHA15, for 20% off any purchase. I am also an affiliate with Clara Sunwoo. You can use my code, MARSHA10, for 10% off your entire order. Use MARSHA15 at Katia Designs for 15% off your order. In case you didn’t know, bloggers must disclose the use of affiliate links. That’s why I include this in each post. I have now have a code for Tulip Clothing. Use the code, MARSHA20, for 20% off your order.

Where you can find me:

Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Is This Mutton, and Shelbee on the Edge. I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, and Style Splash as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I now co-host Fashion Files with Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa every Tuesday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!

Amy ~ Amy’s Creative Pursuits

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Bo ~ Bo’s Bodacious Blog (Bo is taking a short blogging break right now.)

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Joanne ~ My Slice of Life

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Jodie ~ Jodie’s Touch of Style

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Marsha~ Marsha in the Middle

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Mireille ~ Chez Mireille Fashion Travel Mom