the color lab blog — fashion

When it comes to color, I haven't written the book but I sure have READ the books. One thing I know for sure, color is so much more than what can be gleaned by the naked eye. Color influences our perceptions, touches our deepest emotions, and moves our decisions.

We have always existed in a color-filled world but we are rarely aware of the impact color has in our daily lives. Through books we can take a deep dive into the ways in which color has influenced our understanding of our global community, our differences and our commonalities.

From the sun-drenched beaches of the Mediterranean to the works of Impressionist artists, these books are both tools for expanded knowledge and simply yummy reads.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

Curl up with these books for a little trip down colorful highways and byways or display them on a coffee table to entice your guests. Here are 9 favorites from my personal library:

1. Color: A Natural History of the Palette by Victoria Finlay - The author is a genius at expanding our knowledge of color through the ages.
2. Pantone: The 20th Century in Color by Leatrice Eiseman - The quintessential book on how color has expanded our horizons from the "house that color built".
3. The Rainbow Atlas: A Guide to the World’s 500 Most Colorful Places by Taylor Fuller - Travel takes on a renewed importance when you take in the beautiful bucket list places profiled.
4. Black Is A Rainbow Color by Angela Joy - Not necessarily a book on traditional colors, per se, but one of the best children's books on skin color, race and culture written from a child's perspective.  
5. Interaction of Color by Josef Alber - The literal bible of color theory, this book has helped shape my color career and continues to be a guide for my jewelry designs.
6. The Colorful Kitchen by Ilene Godofsky Moreno - Plant-based foods never looked (or tasted) so good! A vibrant book of vegan recipes from a fellow New Jersey native (and somewhat of a neighbor).
7. The Color Scheme Bible by Anna Starmer - A must-have book for a map to bringing new life to any room through color and other home decor inspiration.
8. Bisa Butler: Portraits by Erica Warren - Artists who use color in a manner that evoke strong emotional responses are my jam! Bisa's work not only speaks, it shouts loudly and with passion.
9. Flower Color Theory by Darroch Putnam - Ever wonder how floral artists create such seamlessly elegant flower arrangements? This book will have you heading to the nearest farmer's market or flower stand to grab a few bouquets to play with.

I'll be wearing lots of dresses this Summer. It's not a fashion statement or a trend alert, my dear friends.

Let me explain.

One unseasonably warm day a couple of months ago, I was inspired to get a head start on changing over my thick, loungy, Lou & Gray sweatpant set-heavy wardrobe to my lighter, J. Crew t-shirt, shorts and Old Navy swing dress outfits. I went deep into my closet abyss and what I found was unsettling.

image above: Juliet in J. Crew Brocade Sheath Dress (no longer available but adore this similar one) Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

Way in the back on a long forgotten rack were tons of brightly colored dresses. From dressy to casual, it was all there. Dresses I'd bought years ago, some dated back to 2010. And there was one thing they all had in common.

The price tags were still attached.

Finding one or two items each season may be acceptable but the haul I found could fill a small boutique. These "vintage" (my definition = items older than 10 years) finds were still in fantastic shape - no fading or moth holes. They were all in the same condition they were when I bought them.

I toyed with the idea of actually opening a virtual dress shop (Atelier Juliet?) but what I quickly realized is that I still loved almost every dress I found, they were all quite wearable and remarkably, most were still in very much in style.

Since we seem to be headed in the direction of our lives returning to some sort of normalcy, as vaccines for COVID become more available and some restrictions are being eased, my hope is that as the weather gets warmer, I will be more comfortable getting back to doing the types of activities that used to mean dressing up for the occasion. Or just dressing.

(left) Juliet in Polka Dot Tunic Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer available but here's a style I LOVE, Bag: Gifted (similar style here), Shoes: vintage Nine West (no longer sold), (right) Sweater Dress by Ann Taylor (no longer being sold but I love with the print on this one), Shoes: vintage Nine West (only available in Tan in very limited sizes)

So while I won't be shopping for new clothes anytime soon, perhaps you will be. Maybe you already have weddings to attend, in-person meetings or dinner parties on your calendar. Or perhaps you'll be like me and take any opportunity I can find to put on something other than the wide leg pants I've come to adore and the long sleeve stretch t-shirts that have become my daily uniform.

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

I've collected some of the prettiest, brightly colored dresses (available in lots of sizes and price points) in vibrant solids and fabulous prints that I could find to give you some options for whatever chance you may have, casual or formal, to show a little or a lot leg! Shop my finds below!

1.  Kobi Halperin Sophie Printed A Line Dress

2.  Johnny Was Cabot Mixed Print Silk Dress - out of stock but this one and this one are lovely as well

3.  MICHAEL Michael Kors Chain-Print Fit & Flare Dress - sold out but here's a cute one.

4.  Lauren Ralph Laren Ruffled Georgette Dress

5.  Ramy Brook Olsen Rainbow Cable Knit Maxi Dress

6.  Tadashi Shoji Cap Sleeve Lace Gown

7.  Tommy Hilfiger Cotton Polo Dress - almost sold out of most sizes. Here's an alternative.

8.  Kasper Sleeveless Sheath Dress - sold out but this one's a goodie! 

9.  Calvin Klein Cotton Chambray Maxi Dress - no longer available but I love this one too.

10.  A.L.C. Mischa Cotton Printed Midi Dress

I hope you have fun shopping for Summer looks this year and until next time....

May your life be filled with COLOR!

I love a good slip dress. Whenever I see a really special one, I grab it. They are so easy to wear, figure flattering and widely size inclusive. Almost every womenswear brand has at least 1 or 2 in their offerings because they have become a classic fashion staple. I think designer Carly Cushnie did them the best so when I was late to the budget-priced and hyper colorful Cushnie x Target collab last Summer, I panicked. Fortunately, I was able to snag 2 lovely slip dresses, that have now become my absolute favorites, before they sold out. I wear both all year-long so instead of packing them away until the next warm weather season like you may be inclined to do, I work them into my wardrobe planning year-round. Scroll down to see all of the ways I make them work for almost every season!

I hope you love the products I recommend! This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!

left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer being sold but a similar dress here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Necklace: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West | Hair: Shakeria at NJnaturalstyles Hair Studio

right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (from a few years ago) | Boots: Nine West (available in black only, limited sizes)

left: Dress: Cushnie x Target (no longer available but lots of great styles available here) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio

right: Sweater: Lou & Grey (no longer available) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio 

left: Dress: Lou & Grey (gone but here's a goodie!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Shoes: Nine West

right: Hoodie: Uniqlo (currently not available but this one is fabulous!) | Earrings: JulRe Designs Studio | Booties: Nine West

Here are a few more slip dresses I adore:

TED BAKER Printed Midi Slip Dress

TORY BURCH Embroidered Sheath Midi Dress

VINCE Satin Midi Slip Dress - Nordstrom

BCBGMAXAZRIA Asymmetrical Slip Dress 

MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Tie-Dyed Maxi Slip Dress

Until next time, may your life be filled with an endless stream of COLOR!

I missed posting your links last week but I'm trying to make up for it with this week's really special ones. Enjoy!

• Which major fashion brand do you think is at the forefront of using plant-based materials for some of its products? The answer may surprise you. (DesignTaxi)

• These exercises DO help strengthen your core and if a flatter tummy is a side benefit, I'll take it! (Prime Women)

• Here's fresh green jewelry to wear yourself or to give in honor of Spring! (JulRe Designs Studio)

• DIY Project: These gorgeous Paper Flowers are so simple to make for a Mother's Day brunch place setting.

• Museums have started to reopen. Hooray! This artist's inspiring and colorful outdoor exhibit is one of the many I'm looking forward to seeing. (MOMA)

• I recently did some Spring dress shopping - in my closet! I'm just a bit embarrassed by what I found. (The Color Lab Blog)

• As a Marvel fan, this interview with the creator and showrunner for the newest Avengers action series on Disney+, was revealing and very relevant in our current times. (Polygon)

• Reading glasses are a necessity for many of us and the search for colorful and fashionable ones is over. I'm head-over-heels in LOVE with these. (CADDIS)

• A toast to these 10 Black women who are successfully distilling spirits in the male dominated industry. (Thrillist)

• Get 20% OFF my favorite glow-inducing body oil with code 'GLOWROSE' until 3/21/2021! (Gem Luxe Beauty)

Until next time, may your life be filled with COLOR!

 FROM OUR PARTNERS

Links! Links! Here are your weekly LINKS!

• In need of an unconventional sports drink? This article says we may need to look at red wine in a whole new light. (Food & Wine)

• This advertising campaign made me....nervous. And a little squeamish. (DesignTaxi)

• No matter what COVID restrictions your state is lifting or how you feel about wearing a mask, you should read this. (Well+Good)

• Finally! This Spring handbag in joyful colors that I've been coveting is ON SALE!

• Spring DIY Project: Making these colorful planters is on my "to conquer" list. (A Beautiful Mess)

• This looks to be a fascinating discussion on fashion, sustainability and philanthropy. (TheMET)

• I love cotton sweaters for transitioning into warmer weather and this one comes in lively ombré tones.

• A good read on what we really need as a country to decrease the number of issues that separate us. (Scientific American)

• Can we talk about this Jennifer Hudson cover of a legendary R&B hit? (Rolling Stone)

• I'm in an invigorating, energizing new Color Mood at The Color Lab Shop!

Until next week, may your life be filled with COLOR!

I hope you love the products I recommend! This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to bring you color commentary like this. You can find more about our site, privacy, and disclosure policies here. Thank you for your continued support!