Innovative October Colors to Wear: Lilac and a Dark Neutral
Most of us think of the October colors to wear as orange and browns. However, with the fall trend of seeing lilac pop up, it’s fun to get innovative with new color combinations.
Don’t forget to not only catch up on the new fall trends in this post but also how to make them affordable.
Quote of the day: “If you want to find a better path, you have to be willing to explore a different path. That sounds simple, but how often do you try something different?” James Clear
Our color combinations certainly become a habit and I bet if you look in your closet, you will see a variety of the same colors.
While I truly believe it’s good to focus your top half on colors that look good with your complexion, I also believe that variety is the spice of life. So as James Clear says above, how often do you try something different?
Color combinations are an easy way to get creative with your outfits.
If you need help with it, then you’ll love practical ideas for mixing colors.
October Colors to Wear with Lilac
Pants: Chicos~~ Cardigan: Style & Co~~ Top: Zenna Outfitters -thrifted ~~ Shoes: Walking Cradles~~ Necklace: ~~ Earrings:
Lesley chose to pair a lilac top with black for her idea of October colors to wear. Just like in my color recipe, the easiest way to start combining colors is to grab your neutrals first.
Here is a list of neutrals:
- Black
- Browns (all shades including tan)
- Navy
- White (even ivory)
- Grey
- I would include denim which you could categorize with navy
Therefore, Lesley paired this lilac top with a pair of black capri pants and a black cardigan so the outfit is darker and just the top gives contrast with the lighter color.
If it seems too stark to have such a dark neutral with a light, pastel color, you could always add in another medium color or neutral. For example, a lighter grey color could work as part of this outfit.
Color Recipes for More Ideas for October Colors to Wear
Once you have combined lilac with your neutrals, don’t stop. Because there are plenty of colors that would work too. Here are some ideas from my color recipe so that you can find even more options for that lilac piece.
1-The Answer of What to Wear with ANY Color (for example, you will read this post and think, “no way would I wear bright pink pants like that.” That’s understandable. But what about a different color pair of pants in your closet.)
2-What to Wear with Floral Shorts with my Color Recipe (in this post, you may not embrace shorts, but the point isn’t about the shorts. It’s about mixing colors with a print piece to have variety in your closet)
3-Animal Print Fashion Trend for an Interesting Color Recipe (this post is all about colors with an animal print skirt. Most animal prints are neural color combined, so I wanted to show choices to pair with them. Again, don’t concentrate on the actual items, but how the colors go together)
4-5 Colorful Ways to Wear Mustard Yellow Jeans (I hear over and over how so many people can’t wear yellow. But I will contend that there is a shade of every color for everyone. On top of that, there’s always the option of wearing it on the bottom half or with accessories. But this post is not about yellow even though the title would have you think that. It’s about mixing colors)
Lilac Top
Let’s talk some specifics about this lilac top. It wasn’t a color that was in Lesley’s closet until I requested this idea of wearing lilac. In fact, she will tell you that lilac is her second least favorite color yet it is her favorite flower. Go figure (her words not mine).
It’s true that these particular softer colors don’t pop against Lesley’s complexion as well as some of the other colors she wears. Yet by adding the darker cardigan over the lighter top, it now becomes a color that Lesley can wear.
Insider tip: I experimented with 5 different ways to wear a “bad” color.
However, one day she was shopping in a secondhand shop nearby and found this lilac top for only $2. She picked it up and it is now part of her closet.
In fact, I think this shape of the top is extremely flattering. The twisted knot design gives an asymmetrical detail and helps with the proportions especially since Lesley is wearing shorter pants.
Insider tip: Remember even if your top doesn’t already have this knotted feature, you can make your own with elastics. One of my readers did share that these can sometimes be found at the Dollar Store.
What If You Don’t Have the Trendy Color of the Year?
If lilac isn’t in your closet yet either, don’t worry, I have you covered so you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg.
1-Try Preloved. If you don’t mind preloved items, then checking out the thrift or consignment stores is the easiest thing to do.
If you don’t have great thrift stores near you, then check out my favorite online ones:
thredUp—this link gives you $10 (and me in return).
Poshmark — here is the post about how to shop the site.
Etsy
eBay
Swap
Uncommon Closet— nonprofit to help women
Gild the Lily–a local Michigan store that sells online
2-Borrow. Don’t forget the option of possibly borrowing from your friend (as we tried between ourselves lately) or check inside your husband’s closet too (as I showed ways to wear a men’s shirt).
3-DIY. If you have a white clothing item that is getting a tad dingy, then why not dye it? I’ve discussed how I have dyed clothing in the past. You can find almost any color of Rit dye on Amazon if it’s not in your local stores.
Lilac Accessories
Another way to add in a “trendy” color is to use them in your accessories.
You can see in Lesley’s outfit that she is wearing a lilac multi-strand bead necklace over her lilac top.
Matching your necklace to your top, it’s a more subtle way to enjoy your accessories. When you match them this way, you won’t be focusing people’s attention on the accessories themselves.
If you wanted the focus on the necklace, then I would suggest a darker option.
Why Lesley Wore Black with Lilac
We were in Flagstaff, Arizona this day and would be getting in the car to head home after breakfast. Lesley explained to me that her mother always had the “rule” to travel in darker colors. And that’s a rule that Lesley follows to this day.
If you would like to see other examples of travel outfits:
Showcasing Road Trip Outfits in the Summer
Breaking Down the Anatomy of a Perfect Airplane Outfit
Check out Lesley wearing this same top with other colors.
Basic Black Flats
Since the meat of Lesley’s outfit is black, she added in her basic pair of black flats. This is definitely one of those pairs of shoes that can be a workhorse in your wardrobe.
This exact pair is a pair Lesley bought from Walking Cradles and is called Reece flat. It’s nice because these still have a very small heel (under 1 inch) yet are considered flat. Like all of Walking Cradles shoes, they have tiny pillows in the insoles.
In case you aren’t familiar with Walking Cradles, they have an extensive variety of sizes from 4-13 and different widths from narrow to wide wide.
October Colors
So I’d love to hear if you like a dark neutral like black with lilac. It’s a great way to take a color that you think about for spring or summer and make it seem perfect for outfits with October colors.
Other color combinations to think about when pulling out your lilac pieces
Unlimited Colors That Go With Lilac: Outfit Ideas
Colors That Go With Olive Green: Unlimited Options Including Lilac
My Goal
Thank you for visiting my space on the internet. I like to showcase how it’s never too late to look great for women of any age, size, or working with any budget.
I feel I’m here to help move beyond the fashion rules of yesterday and evolve. Style and clothes are made to give you joy. Not cause us stress because we are worried about what others think.
My hope is that you get ideas and inspiration from Charlotte, Lesley, and myself. It’s not about copying what we wear, but about using what you already have and updating items along the way.
Most of all it’s getting us to think differently and dare I say, have fun?
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