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By RubyClaire Boutique
Why That Color Hiding in Your Closet Deserves Another Chance There's probably a color you consistently scroll past while shopping online or skip entirel...
There's probably a color you consistently scroll past while shopping online or skip entirely in stores. Maybe it's coral because you've convinced yourself you're "not a warm-toned person," or perhaps you've written off olive green since a questionable purchase in college. Here's the thing: that color you habitually avoid might be exactly what your wardrobe needs to feel fresh again without buying an entirely new closet.
Most of us develop color blind spots based on outdated rules or one bad experience. We stick to our safe palette of blacks, grays, and maybe a navy or two, then wonder why getting dressed feels repetitive. The fastest way to refresh your style isn't buying more of what you already own—it's strategically introducing one "new to you" color that works with your existing pieces.
Open your closet right now and scan what's actually hanging there. You'll likely notice your wardrobe clusters around three to five dominant colors. Whatever's consistently missing from that lineup is your opportunity color.
Pull out every top, dress, and jacket you've worn in the past month. Lay them on your bed and notice the patterns. If you see mostly black, white, gray, and denim, you're leaving entire color families unexplored. If everything leans cool-toned (blues, purples, grays), you might be missing the warmth that colors like rust, camel, or terracotta could bring.
Pay special attention to colors that appear once or twice—these lonely pieces often reveal colors you're curious about but haven't committed to. That single olive tee you bought last spring but rarely wear? That's not a shopping mistake; it's a clue that you need more in that family to make it feel intentional.
Rust and Terracotta: If you've defaulted to black and navy, these warm earth tones feel surprisingly versatile once you try them. A rust cardigan layers beautifully over your existing white tees and pairs with denim just as easily as black would, but adds visual warmth that makes casual outfits feel more considered.
Sage and Olive: Many women avoid these thinking greens are "difficult," but soft, muted greens function as neutrals. An olive button-down works everywhere a chambray would, and sage pairs unexpectedly well with both warm and cool tones in your closet.
Camel and Cognac: If you've lived in black pants and gray sweaters, camel introduces warmth without requiring major color confidence. It plays well with everything you already own while adding richness to monochrome outfits.
Deep Plum and Wine: These rich tones offer the sophistication of black with more dimension. A plum sweater paired with black pants creates depth that all-black can't achieve, and works across seasons.
The mistake most people make when trying a new color is going too big too fast. You don't need a statement dress in your experimental color—you need strategic starter pieces that integrate with what you already wear.
Your first piece in a new color should work with at least five items currently in your closet. A cardigan is ideal because it layers over your existing basics without requiring you to wear the color directly against your face if you're uncertain. A basic tee in your new color also integrates easily—tuck it into your current jeans or layer it under your existing blazers.
Avoid starting with dresses, jumpsuits, or statement tops. These force you to commit fully to the color before you've figured out how it fits into your styling rhythm.
When your new piece arrives, commit to wearing it at least three times in two weeks. Style it differently each time. Wear that rust cardigan over a white tee with jeans, then layer it over a black dress, then pair it with neutral joggers. This repetition shows you whether the color actually works in your real life or if it just looked good online.
Take photos or mental notes of which combinations feel most like you. If you keep reaching for certain pairings naturally, you've found your integration point. If you're forcing every outfit, the color might not be right, or you might need a different shade within that family.
Once you've worn your starter piece successfully, the next step isn't buying more in that exact color—it's understanding how that color family expands your options.
If your rust cardigan works, consider adding one more warm earth tone rather than buying three more rust pieces. A camel tee or terracotta tank creates a cohesive story when styled together or separately with your neutrals. Suddenly your wardrobe has depth and intentionality without looking costume-like.
The goal is making your new color feel integrated, not isolated. Two to three pieces in related tones create versatility; one lonely colored item just sits unworn.
If you're still building confidence, accessories help bridge your new color with your comfort zone. A cognac belt worn with black pants and your new olive top creates visual connection. A camel bag carried with your rust cardigan and denim signals intentionality, not accident.
These small touches make experimental colors feel curated rather than random, which increases your confidence in wearing them.
Sometimes you genuinely don't like a color after trying it properly. That's useful information, not failure. The difference between a color that's not working and one you haven't learned to style yet comes down to comfort.
If you feel self-conscious every time you wear it, even after multiple styling attempts, honor that. But if you feel good when you see yourself in the mirror but hesitate because it's unfamiliar, that's just newness, not wrongness. Wear it anyway.
Pay attention to compliments. When people say "that color looks great on you," they're often noticing the freshness more than the specific hue. New colors catch attention because they signal confidence and intentionality.
After a month of wearing your new color successfully, evaluate whether it deserves permanent status in your wardrobe. Ask yourself: Does this color make getting dressed easier or harder? Do you reach for it naturally, or does it require mental energy?
Colors that work become effortless. You stop thinking "I'm wearing olive today" and start thinking "I need a casual top"—and the olive one is simply in the rotation. That's when you know it's time to add depth to that color family with different pieces or slightly varied shades.
The best wardrobe expansions happen slowly and deliberately. One new color, worn well and often, creates more outfit possibilities than five new pieces in colors you already own. Start with that one color you've been avoiding, give it a genuine chance with strategic starter pieces, and watch how quickly your wardrobe feels refreshed without requiring a complete overhaul. Your closet doesn't need more stuff—it needs more intentional variety, and one new color is exactly where that begins.