Getting the Total Look

 And Wow on Wednesday

Dear friends. If there's one thing I look forward to when the weather gets cooler, it's The Total Look.  This is when I achieve a tonal, or contrasting, look from head to toe, with everything co-ordinating. No black shoes or handbags for me when I could choose purple or rose gold!

A tonal look, when you wear one colour but in different shades, is totally elevated when you add some matching footwear, a bag, tights, jewellery and outerwear.

At the top is the outfit I wore on Saturday to a big school reunion in Plymouth that I organised.  I hadn't seen most of the people since 1979, 45 years, and wanted to wear something that was representative of my style, but also comfortable and not too "in your face." 

I'm having a blue spell at the moment. No, I'm not depressed, but automatically reaching for blue.  So I took one of my favourite outfits:  teal jeggings with matching top, which, being the same colour, automatically elongates and slims.  

I added my Blue Jewel Chloe jacket, matching socks, and a scarf in a lighter blue  (Aquarius).  A sparkly necklace in aquamarine, teal brogues and teal/blue eyeshadow completed the look. I kept the lipstick pale because I focused on eye makeup. 

On Monday we had a family outing to the National Gallery to see the Van Gogh exhibition.  Rain was threatening so I grabbed by turquoise raincoat  (very light) and matching brogue shoes, and teamed them with an Aquarius ribbed shirt, black jeans, and, to add an extra colour, a yellow belt and bag. 

Shoes or boots in fun colours or a sparkly finish are much more fun than dreary old trainers or black boots in my opinion. 

Each season I identify where I have a footwear colour gap, and then try to fill it. Here are my boots. 

Here my sparkly dance shoes from Supadance London transform a tonal purple look, particularly with the addition of purple tights. My Boden skirt was bought pre-loved from eBay. It looks blue but is a deep purple. 

I used to have several pairs of quirky heeled shoes but I prefer flatter shoes now.  I can still indulge my love of gamine style and colour with brogues. 

As the weather gets colder I'll start to add my colourful coats  plus gloves, scarves and hats. 

Finding What You Need

It's not always easy to find accessories and footwear in bright colours in autumn/fall and winter.  You won't find everything you need right away. I think of it as a hunt, with me stalking my prey. 

• Tights and socks are easily sorted.  Online hosiery sites are best for finding colourful tights. I like UK Tights and Tights Tights Tights.  I love Sock Shop's brightly coloured Panda bamboo socks.
• For handbags in lovely hues I go to Fenella Smith for vegan totes and Pom Pom London for cross-the-body bags with different straps. I keep an eye on the Cambridge Satchel Co and occasionally buy a bag from them in the sale.  
• Set up searches on eBay and Vinted for favourite brands, styles and colours. I was despairing of finding a good pair of purple trousers but then found a pair from Jigsaw for £10 at Vinted.
• Find one of a kind jewellery on Etsy, where you're supporting predominantly small businesses, many run by women
• For stylish and colourful brogue shoes, I head to Embassy London.  They're not cheap, but bargains can be found. I pay full price if I see a pair in exactly the right colour, because they're made of leather and will last for years. Canadian brand Fluevog make my heart beat faster but they're usually too pricey for me now. Next and Clarks occasionally have brogues in metallics. 
• Irregular Choice and Ruby Shoo have distinctive and unusual shoes and boots
• Amazon and Asos are stars for colourful ankle boots that don't break the bank
• Find colourful wrist warmers at Turtle Doves.
• You can't beat Kettlewell for tops, jumpers, jackets, belts and more in beautiful colours, all year round. Boden and Oliver Bonas are also good for stocking colour in the colder months. 
• If you want eyeshadow palettes with colours other than beiges, reds, pinks and blues, brands like Revolution, Nomad and Cosmic Brushes will wow you.

I hope I've inspired you to add some colour to winter. Do you find yourself wearing darker colours in the colder months or do you try to brighten up the dreary days? Do tell in the comments.You'll find the comments box below the link-up.

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WOW ON WEDNESDAY

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