Typical capsule closets are full of black, white, navy blue, beige, and gray. These neutral colors are widely available in stores and are believed to be easy to combine. Incorporating color into such a closet is a real challenge, as it requires matching it to all neutrals. In my series of posts, I’d like to show you how to incorporate color using palettes of 12 types of natural coloring. Furthermore, I’ll point out what to look for when seeking harmony between colors to minimize or even eliminate the use of neutrals. Today, let us explore what a colorful capsule closet for Light Summer could look like.
The June equinox offers the longest days of the year. Days full of sunshine, warmth, and optimism. Everything in nature is still teeming with life and color, taking advantage of these last days before the summer heat arrives. However, the colors are no longer as saturated and vibrant as they are in spring. Illuminated by sunlight, they look paler and lighter. There is lightness and delicacy about them that was absent in previous months. They are also one step cooler than the colors we observed in May, as if nature was slowing down in preparation for a July siesta. Blues and purples become sweet and joyful like forget-me-nots and sweet peas. Yellows look like refreshing lemonade and lemon cake. Reds are like fruit sorbets and greens bluish like leek or alfalfa leaves.
A colorful capsule closet for Light Summer therefore follows the same rules. The colors are light and airy compared to all other Seasons. Thanks to the significant influence of Summer, their saturation is moderate, and temperature is neutral cool. By ensuring similar color parameters for all the clothes in this capsule, you can create a fresh and vibrant effect, which could look like this:
Even dark colors of Light Summer (see the gray clutch and green trousers) look very light compared to other Seasons. This is the color type that, along with Light Spring, has the lowest tolerance for black. Black looks overwhelming next to people of this coloring. Look at the blue bag and notice how the black handles of the bag stand out from the rest of the capsule’s colors. Instead of black, bluish greens, cocoa-powder browns, and owl grays work so much better as neutrals. The palette also lacks pure white, which is replaced by a more delicate lily-of-the-valley white and light beige. Pastels, which are so abundant in the Light Summer palette, look fantastic against such neutral backgrounds. As I mentioned in my previous posts, keep in mind that photos often do not reflect colors accurately, so expect the above pieces to belong to a different Season in real life.
The mini colorful capsule closet for Light Summer consists of 16 pieces, just like the previous ones. One dress, one jumpsuit, one kimono wrap, two bottoms, and five tops is enough to create unique outfits for at least two weeks. However, with addition of various shoes, handbags, and jewelry, a creative woman could use such a capsule for even a month.
The key to the most effective combinations of these elements is to reduce contrasts, which work so well for Springs and Winters. For Summers monochromatic and analogous combinations are more effective. Colors flow into each other, creating a visually smooth harmony. The Light Summer palette is quite light overall, making it easier to maintain a moderate contrast of values, i.e., light and dark colors. Color contrast needs more attention – combining more than three colors may be too distracting for this delicate Season.
What if you have gentle natural coloring but a dramatic body type? The colorful capsule wardrobe for Light Summer was created with the Yin Dramatic (also known as Goddess) Archetype in mind. A woman with this body type needs elongated, flowing lines in her outfits with a defined waist. Minimalist simplicity, shapeless oversize, and rigid structure are her biggest enemies. Light, smooth, soft, and stretchy fabrics drape beautifully on her feminine figure. Moderate draping and body-hugging wrap styles work well in blouses and dresses. Trousers are either very slim and form-fitting or with wide, sweeping legs, a la Marlene Dietrich. Knee-length pencil skirts or mermaid-style, floor-length skirts follow the natural lines of the Goddess’s body. Handbags require a touch of luxurious glamour — should be either crafted from exotic leather or have a bold detail, such as an oversized bow. And even though the colors are light and delicate, the kimono sleeves, ostentatious jewelry, and ornate shoes make up for it with the drama this Archetype demands.
I’m very curious to hear your thoughts on the above capsule. Please share them in the comments below. The next post in this series will talk about True Summer – which Archetype would you like to see featured there?
