The photo above was taken with my husband and daughter on the day of my daughter's bridal shower. As you can see I'm wearing a black shirt with a sheer black and white jacket. I'm honestly not a big fan of a lot of color in my wardrobe, for a few reasons. The first reason is that I find wearing dark colors more slenderizing, and I'm always conscious of my frustratingly less than a svelte figure. Second, I find dark colors more complimentary to my fair complexion. The third reason is that dark colors seem to be the "de rigueur" uniform for most New Yorkers, and I'm no exception. I'd be the first to admit that things in the city can get very grimy -- all I have to do is clean my outside window sills to see that -- and wearing dark colors work best for preventing big dry cleaning bills.
While I prefer black and other dark colors I do admit that a few other colors are my favorite, and searching through my photo files I saw a few trends.
The first trend I noticed is that I don't take too many photos of myself! I'm usually the one too busy taking photos and unless it is a special occasion or a vacation trip, I hardly get in a photo. The other trend I noticed is that the colors red and blue seem to be my favorite colors to wear if I'm not wearing black. Just for fun, I snuck in two vintage photos of myself in the collage above--can you spot them?
Even though I prefer black there is another way I incorporate color into my wardrobe. I just wrap a pretty multicolored scarf around my neck! I have quite a variety in all colors and kinds of fabric. As I was going through my collection of scarves to display them on my bed for this photo someone else thought this was the most marvelous idea...
It was my cat, Bo, who jumped up right into the middle of them purring kind contently and ready to play with the fringes on some of the scarves. When his nails came out he was quickly asked to leave (smile).
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71 comments:
Pat, you are looking great!
Like you I wear a lot of black. Since I have to wear dress clothes for my job, I find it easier to buy all black pants and add a little color in the blouse or jacket. Besides black my closet has a lot of teal, green, purple and gray...with a little pink thrown in.
I wear a lot of black, too, but for some reason I have two jackets that are red. They're both on the worn side and I will be looking for red replacements. The top picture is a lovely family photo.
I wear a lot of black too and add color with scarves, I love scarves.
Wonderful post, Pat.
I do see the older photos, and I say once beautiful, always beautiful.
I love the look of scarves, Pat. But, I seem to have no neck.;-)
Oh Pat! You are a style icon!! Awww I do so see the two vintage but ever so classic pics of you!! Awww you and hubby are just adorable! And you do like classic colours too! But you go colour crazy with your scarves! Yay! Great to see Bo has such stylish tastes as well! Yay!
Take care
x
It's fun to see some of your clothes and the colorful scarves and accessories. I love the photos of you...especially the one of you with long straight hair! I had long straight hair, too! This is a fun post!
Pat, I think you look great. I am also a dark clothes person and I love the monochromatic (sp?) look. I saw one photo of you and Vinny that I think was from college days. xo
Lovin' the pic from the 70's! Bo's a cutie too. I'm kinda the opposite, while my style *cough* is basically turtles, polos and tanks, I buy as many different colors as I can find:@)
The photos of you are adorable! I think you look good in all you colors!
I found myself in the black/white mode and I have started breaking free over the past few years! I mostly wear tops with color and dark bottoms, especially at work.
In the summer, anything goes!!! Especially since I spend most of my time at the beach or at our cottage!
Loved your daughter's comments too . . . how sweet is she!
Pat, you look lovely in all the photos and in colors. And I do believe I found the two vintage photos. I have to admit, I were a lot of black and dark colors. Your daughter is beautiful. Great post, thanks for sharing. Wish you a happy week ahead.
Yes, I spotted the vintage photo on the bottom row but it took me longer to spot the other one :)
I'm a west coaster but I wear black slacks almost every day and top them with color, usually purple or turquoise. So simple--which is how I prefer to dress.
When I was young, my whole wardrobe was just either black or blue. Now I like everything, people tell me I look best in either yellow or orange. I think you would look beautiful in a whole range of colors. We weigh what we weigh, and black can only do so much, live it up with the colors while you can!!!
These were just the best pictures of you and your family Pat! (BTW your hair looked absolutely fabulous for the shower). The color question is so interesting and like you I choose dark colors, grays, navy blues and blacks...it is a comfort zone for me.
♥, Susan
I love the vintage picture!!! It's so funny how we end up selecting and wearing the same colors. I'm with you on black and to me you can't go wrong when wearing it.
That was fun, Pat! I can see that red is really your colour, even if black is a great neutral for big city life. I loved the photo of you with the same hair style I sported throughout the seventies and eighties!
I like colorful tops and lately scarves with a pop of color. I wear a lot of black pants as I teach 2nd grade. If someone marks on my pants (has happened many times!) I can proceed with the day still looking clean!
Hi Pat, I think khaki, black and some blue, with hot pink and robin's egg blue are my colors, although I seem to have too many green tops too. I love scarves for a little fun too. Your vintage pictures are wonderful--I think I found them. One is easy with the long hair, but the other was more difficult. You seem ageless! Have a nice week. Linda
A great post, Pat. I love black, but I also love chartreuse, turquoise, red, coral...the list goes on. As a quilter, I play with color on a daily basis. Since retiring, I don't dress up on a daily basis, but I find myself choosing slacks in black or neutrals and wearing the color on top. I also like to use color in my earrings.
I do the scarf thing, too! I always thought a nice pair of slacks (I don't do dresses or skirts much any more ... going for comfort in my crone years), a good t-shirt (hotter than Hades most of the year) and a pretty scarf around my neck and shoulders does the trick! Enjoyed all your mosaics ... nice to *see* you! I have furry help, too. I'm a red head who wears red. Fun post!
Except for that one vintage photo on the bottom, I noticed your hairstyle has been pretty consistent over the years. There are a lot of blue tops there too, it looks good on you. I admire your collection of scarves, I need to wear ones I have more often.
Judith
What a fun post, Pat, and yes I saw your vintage photos! I tend to wear a lot of dark colors too, now that I've let my hair incorporate some gray! And scarves are a great way to add the color. I see all the pics of you wearing red. I guess we all know by now that if someone in a photo wears red it makes the photo look so much better. And, like you, and most of us, I am rarely in a photo, being the one behind the camera.
The best thing about this post was reading your daughter's heartfelt comment.
I'm guilty of wearing black - it's easy to match! But when I saw you in red and blue and one of the blues just jumped out - I thought - wow - do you really not know how beautiful you are? In black and blue and red - you just shine. Your daughter knows you well. Finding the vintage photos was fun - I agree one was easy - the other one - needed to give it a good look!
I''m afraid I'm the same way about having my pictures taken. I don't usually like my pictures when I do get them so it must be a good thing I'm the photographer. I love scarves, too!
No matter what color you choose, you look GREAT!!!!! I too go toward the darker colors --and then enhance them with colored scarfs, etc...
Your daughter is gorgeous--like her Mama.
Hugs,
Betsy
You are adorable in all these pictures! And who needs to wear a lot of color when you already are wearing that gorgeous red hair every day!
Love your long haired look in the bottom row vintage pic:) and your husbands mustache looks the same then as now:)
Pat your loveliness shines in any color. Love your photos.You look great! JoAnn
Wonderful shots. Love the variety.
And I like you in purple-I think it is a nice contrast with your hair
Life and travelling
Cooking
Love the picture of you and your family Pat. It's so amazing how our pets love our clothes.
I tend to favor black too and try to kick it up with a scarf or jewelry. I wore a skinny black dress with 3/4 sleeves the other night and tossed a very bright pink scarf (think Lily Pulitzer bright) around my neck for color and got a lot of compliments. Lime green would have been good too.
Sam
When it comes to colour you can notice the difference when I go to my local mall and when I go to the city (Toronto}. Since we are an urban area the style at the mall is jeans and sweatshirts but in the city the predominate colour is black and slick. I can't wear black well. It makes me look ill. I love the scarves though. V
It seems we have the same fashion style....I like black with a touch of colors, (scarf, big stones necklaces, a funny purs, things like that) for the same reasons as yours....
Hi Pat,
Nice photo collage! I found the vintage pictures. You look great in teal! I was blond (bland) and fair. I am now 63, no longer svelte. Up to a year or so ago I wore blah colors. I was the "Beige Lady". I think I was hiding in the blahness. I now wear red, love shades of teal, other greens and bright blues. With age comes freedom! I like black and would wear it more often but the light colored dust in the desert environment shows up on everything dark. Sorry for the long post. I don`t get out much! HA!
LOVE your dark auburn color, Pat... :o) and you look sooo beautiful in that top photo...as does your daughter (LOVE that wine-red dress she's wearing!) Very exciting with the wedding next month! FUN to see your scarf collection! Scarves and jewelry are the easiest ways to add some color and sparkle to my look, I find. I wear a lot of black and darker colors of clothing, preferring to use accessories to add a punch of color. I avoid trendy colors of clothes, as we know a year later they won't be in fashion...LOL... I don't follow trends too much a general rule. I like classic styles that will last, as I don't shop a lot. We're going to Vienna later this week and be away a few days. See you soon in blogland again! ((HUGS))
Pat,
Hi! Love the photos. I see you like scarves. So do I.
Thank you for sharing.
Wearing color I do. I am not all matchy match though. Ha! Ha!
Pat
You look gorgeous! Happy Blue Monday.
I played too. Mine are here and here.
Although I do love to wear black, the last 4-5 years I have been all about the color! And I buy lots of colorful jewelry, purses and shoes. Happy Blue Monday!
Hi Pat. I spotted your vintage shots. One with a baby, and one of you and hubby in earlier days. Loved them!!!
I noticed when I was in NYC that most folks did indeed wear black. It is a great mix and match color for ones wardrobe.
I have been super busy and not visiting my favorite blogs as much as I want to. I need to go catch up with you.
XO Kris
I look drab in black; in fact, I AM kinda drab! Therefore, I am most often in color, and you already know my favorite color is blue. Thanks for sharing your blues.
Happy Blue Monday, Pat.
Fun post, Pat! You look terrific. Love the pops of color. Great vintage shots :) I tended to wear neutrals for a long time for the most part. I'm pretty conservative when it comes to style.
Oh yes...I found the vintage shots. Love them!
And the cat on the scarves...great shot!
Over the years a lot of the colour has left my closet...and blacks and greys have moved in. Like you...I use scarves to brighten things up. But I still have my sweaters...in green, and turquoise, and purple and red. Oh...and a purse or two in a popping colour!
I'm with you on dark colours - I'm always relieved when it's autumn and I can get into black! You look lovely in the photo.
This comment comes from a fellow black and white friend. I smiled as I read your reasons for wearing black,and I really enjoyed seeing all the pictures in your mosaic. My daughters often request that I add more colors to my wardrobe, and I am learning to do just that. I like the cool color palette and that is always the direction in which I go when shopping. Great post!
The first picture of you and your family is a really good picture!
I'm starting to get into scarves myself. I knitted a few last year and now I'm thinking of making some fabric ones. I found the vintage shots.
~Clara
bottom row third in from the left and top row upper right corner!
love you in red and I agree scarves are the way to go to incorporate color!
great post!
When you have all those gorgeous red curls who needs any more color? But I do notice that you wear a lot of blue, Pat. Red and blue. Great colors. Your mother of the bride colors seem to be blue as well. Greenish blue, if I'm remembering correctly from the photos a while back.
I loved looking at your scarves. I have a bunch myself, it's the easiest way to add color to any outfit.
Whatever you wear, kiddo, you always look great.
Well I'm a shoealholic!! I have quite a few pairs, reds, cremes, golds, every color in the spectrum. I can add the red with a basic taupe dress and looks really nice. Your daughter is VERY pretty--is the wedding over? Can't remember when you said it would be. I'll go over and check the link. Thanks for your visit.
Ann
I need to wear bright colors, but tend to stay with the basic black or earth tones.
Pat, I think you look good in teal color:):) I wear a lot of black also. But I am not crazy for black coats...it seems like winter is sad enough without wearing too much black. Smiles, Susie
You said it yourself, red and blue look great on you. I saw one very vintagephoto of you two in the bottom row. Gorgeous photo Pat. I love color in my wardrobe and like you I have piles of colorful scarves. They look good on me so I always use them.
Have a great week.
Fun post , Pat. I look in my closet and see a whole lot of black and white. I try to put a bit more color into the mix for spring and summer. Fun to see the mosaic of your photos through the years.
Wonderful photos, Pat! There a big black portion of my wardrobe too :) You've gotta love that shot from the 70s!!!
thank you for stopping by my blog today! I agree, black is the way to go. For starters, it isn't trendy so you don't have to worry about looking "so last year" and it goes with everything! But a wonderful scarf or a colorful bag can keep you looking up to date and far from dreary.
I am late - sorry - but I have to tell you my closet is a lot like yours. I have mostly one or two colors and then I accent. Yours is pretty, sandie
Pat like you I love to wear scarves to brighten up and "finish" the look. Also I feel naked without my earrings which I also tie in! I have to admit I have always loved the jewel tones.
I am featuring Friend, Designer and Paper Artist Anita Rivera from Castle Crowns and Cottages on my site! She is amazing!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Gorgeous family! Happy blue Monday and a great week ahead!
My BLUE, your comment will be much appreciated. Thank you!
Yes I spotted it right away. Good for you, you are confident wearing red I am not ^_^ And you look gorgeous any color you wear. Checking your links right now happy Tuesday!
Kim,USA
Ciao and thank you for following me on Pinterest, I followed you back, loved many of your boards.
Good morning Pat, I am still responding to PS wishes for our anniversary. Thank you so much for your sweet comment. It means so much to me. We had a great celebration.
Congrats on be selected to join in on such a fun fashion post. I love looking at your many mosaic photos. You just don't change. Your very pretty 'self' in your many lovely smiling photos make 'me' smile. Seeing your family in many of them tells me how loving you all are. Your mosaic tells a lovely story of your choice in your selection of clothes you wear as well. I agree with them all. I too am partial to the colors you wear. I am always trying to hide my excess lbs too.sigh!!!
I think the two photos you added that are a younger you is the last photo on the first row and the 3rd photo in the last row. Love the look with your long hair. This really gave me a chuckle. You were pretty then and still are.
Good job with your fashion share post.
xo, Jeanne
I could have written this same post, Pat. I wear lots of black for the same reasons you do and love to accent with a bright color or two, usually in a scarf. Black is beautiful on you with your dark hair and beautiful skin tones.
I think you look quite perfect! Love the scarves, being a scarf woman myself. And what a lovely comment from your daughter to start off the comment thread.
I did see the vintage photos, very pretty!
I love scarves, too, but I am not very tall and so I always feel like scarves are just too much for my small bodice, I don't know if it's true, but I will put a scarf on with every intention of wearing it, then after seeing myself in a mirror a few times, I take it off. I love them, not sure what to do about that.
I love bright colors and pastels, so I don't really need them for color.
Hugs, Cindy
Lovely photo of you guys with your daughter! She's a sweetie and I love her comment above :)
The mosaic is really nice ~ lots of love, good times and a very beautiful lady enjoying it all!
Lovely photo! How clever to have a wine that matched your pretty daughter's dress. :)
I'm not in many photos either. Even rarer is one of me by myself. I'm sure it's like that for most women.
You are beautiful and you have a very nice figure! Good heavens. You can be tough on yourself. I noticed this...you have such pretty coloring and your hair is so pretty that you probably have never needed lots of color. On the other hand, you certainly look smashing in aquas and teals!
Hi Pat! Today is a holiday in Portugal, but it’s the worst winter day we had since last October... As grey as if we were living in Northern Europe... So, the only right thing to do is surfing the Net... ;)
Grey isn't a colour... Always blue... ;)
Blogtrotter Two is now in St. Kitts and Nevis... Enjoy and have a great week!!!
Like you, I tend to wear a lot of black, but in summer I do add more color in my tops. I especially like wearing turquoise. Love your scarves! I've just started adding them to my wardrobe. Bo is such a handsome kitty!!
Hugs, Cindy
You are gorgeous Pat in any color just like your beautiful daughter said! I love to wear black and eat colorful food! lol
My daughter Noelle is a scarf person! I need to add them to my wardrobe. I just bought a black and white polka dot dress for my older son Jeremy's college graduation. I found a royal blue and purple print dress for Nick's high school graduation! I do use color but admit in the cooler months I stick with navy,black and brown. You look wonderful because you are a remarkable beautiful and kind lady. Love to you and your terrific family. Your daughter is a gorgeous girl!
beauty comes in different colors and you are one of them :-) Dropping by from BM
http://www.kandhistools.com/weed-spray-control/
Bo is adorable! I am very pale so I tend to stay away from black. I usually have color in my wardrobe but this year I'm trying to incorporate some of the "hot" new colors like turquoise. I just hate spending money on fad colors that won't be wearable in a couple of years.
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