Friday, August 28, 2009

The Color Gray - The New Black

I have always been attractes to gray, pretty much ever since middle school. Why? Well, first, it is a neutral color and hence, goes with everything, second, it comes in all nuances, third, is much less severe than black, forth, is more fun than black, fifth, gray shoes look awesome with matter gray hosiery, sixth, great for work, seventh, looks sophisticated, etc.

I have always wondered why would retailer make clothes in gray, yet, not manifacture accessories and shoes in this staple color. Well, right now, there are plenty of shoes, handbags, and belts out there in different shades of gray.

For the collages below I used only major retailers, such as Ann Taylor, J Crew, and Banana Republic. I decided to go with them because of their accessability, generally good price points, frequent promotions/sales, and more classic designs. And, btw, I am not affiliated with any of them, in any way.

These pumps are classic enoughto last through the fashion seasons:

From left to right: Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, J Crew, and J Crew again

Love these fancier J Crew pumps. The pink trim and the flower make it so much fun! I'd actually really love to own a pair!

I own a pair of gray boots actually. Cannot tell you enough how versatile they turned out to be. Wore them all winter and got tons of compliments for them.

From left: Banana Republic and J Crew


If you still like your footwear black, escape tha matchy-matchy world and cinch your waist with a gray or charcoal belt like the one below from Ann Taylor.

If you are tired of toting a black bag in fall and winter, try a gray one. I have a gray bag and a gray clutch and have found that they are greatly versatile.
All handbags J Crew

Lastly, I find gray clothes to be a great neutral canvas to use funky colors with. a basic example below: A slate J Crew puffer can be cinched with a neon pink skinny belt (again J Crew). I have this very same puffer and cinching it makes you look like you have really long legs, regardless of being 5'3" (in my case).

6 comments:

okie2thfairy said...

I too share the love of the gray. This year I'm finally incorporating a nice bluish-gray into the wardrobe. Love the shoes you've selected.

Elizabeth said...

I enjoyed this post - it was like having a personal shopper! Thanks.

cidell said...

I love gray. It's totally my neutral of choice. Thanks for the photos and commentary.

Kira said...

Sooo love the color gray. You have made me realize I don't have any gray in my wardrobe - how did I let this happen? Thanks!

Sheila said...

I totally loooooove gray especially with brown or burgundy. Just last Friday I spent an hour in DSW shoe store and walked away with alovely pair of gray shoes and a pair of patent leather brown and suede taupe pair... but umm yes...

Now you have me drooling over the pink trim and flower shoe.

Christine said...

I love gray, but sometimes it's really hard to find gray accessories in the same tone (it's usually too greenish-gray, or too blue-gray, or too dark or too light or too *something* to go with the grays that I have in my closet.