I have a question about how to pull a wardrobe together that is well coordinated, but not too matchy. I had never heard the term “matchy” before at first I thought it was someone’s excuse for not having a good eye for color but I am hearing a lot about it. Are there some guide lines you can give on when someones wardrobe is too matchy vs. when it is well coordinated.
Matchy Matchy, to me, means co-ordinated in an uninspiring way, it’s the “set of jewellery” or the “twin set of cardigan and knit top (when not worn in an 1950s vintage inspired way. It tends to lack creativity or a personal style element, your unique twist, rather than a manufacturer has told you that you should wear these items together and everyone becomes a clone.
A co-ordinated wardrobe has a cohesive feel. The personal style of the owner is fairly definable, there may also be a range of signature style elements too. There is a relationship of color properties within the color palette so that garments are easy to mix and match.
You can see in the following pictures how when colours have similar color properties, they co-ordinate easily together.
A wardrobe capsule (or series of wardrobe capsules) will help you create a co-ordinated wardrobe. (if you haven’t signed up for my Newletter which includes instructions in my ebook 5 Step Formula for a Fabulous Wardrobe you can do so in the form just over in the right column).
Defining your signature style will allow you to find elements that you love that you put into each outfit and will create a sense of cohesion too.
Look at the types of fabrics in your wardrobe. One of the issues I often see in an unco-ordinated wardrobe is that the fabrics don’t work together. You may have some lovely smart printed skirts, but all your knit tops are made of a cheap ribbed cotton (which tends not to hold its shape well). Those t-shirts were fine with casual shorts, but really didn’t work when you want to look smart. So the solution is to buy some tops in a higher quality knit that could be dressed up with skirts and dress pants.
Consider the principle of volume. Wearing slim with volume looks best. I remember working with a client and finding in her wardrobe that all her clothes had volume, so nothing really worked together. We had to go and find slim bottoms to pair with her voluminous tops, and more fitted tops to work with her more voluminous bottoms. Then we had a co-ordinated wardrobe.
Also, remember to look for the relationship of accessories to other elements of your patterns and necklines to ensure that they work together.
