Color My Closet: A Winter 2020 Instagram Challenge
We just wrapped up another round of the Color My Closet Challenge and I can’t wait to share my outfits with you!
First off, a summary of the challenge:
The Color My Closet Challenge was created last February by Chloe Alysse to inspire individuals to incorporate more color into their winter wardrobes. For each of the nine days, you’re given the prompt of a specific color to wear; there are no restrictions on your interpretation and you’re free to skip any colors that do not resonate.
This was the third time that Chloe’s hosted the challenge and this time, she incorporated a philanthropic element to it—participants were encouraged to donate to relief efforts for the Australian bushfires.
I first tried in this challenge last August and had so much fun with it that I couldn’t wait to join again. This time around, I decided to make the challenge just a little more difficult by pushing myself to rewear the same pieces that I chose last time but style them appropriately for winter.
Here’s What I Created:
Day 1: Pink - Graphic Pink Tee with Black Turtleneck and Black Skirt
Let’s be honest, the easiest way to winterize an outfit is to pop a turtleneck underneath. I took the easy way out in restyling this outfit and contrasted the pastel pink tee with two black garments.
Pink Tee, #RaidedMomsCloset
Black Turtleneck Crop, H&M 2016
Black Skirt, Topshop 2016
DAY 2: Red - Red Cardigan, Shimmery White Dress, Fishnet Tights, Platform Boots
This year’s “red” day fell exactly on Valentine’s Day and with that prompt, I put together this romantic and edgy, but still casual look. I layered my mom’s red cardigan over a shimmery white party dress (this was actually my graduation dress) and then added edgy details with the fishnet tights, platform boots, and thin black belt.
Red Cardigan, #RaidedMomsCloset
Shimmery Dress, Alice and Olivia 2015
Black Belt, #RaidedMomsCloset
Black Fishnet Tights, H&M (super old)
Black Platform Boots, Aldo 2016
Day 3: Orange - Orange Polka Dot Blouse, Distressed Blue Jeans, Sea Green Knit Cardigan
This look is a toned down version of the summer outfit. Winter is the perfect time to curl up in a comfy cardigan so that’s exactly what I did. I then paired it with simple blue jeans for an easy, no-effort outfit.
Orange Polka Dot Blouse, #RaidedMomsCloset
Grandma Cardigan, Urban Outfitters 2016
Blue Jeans, H&M 2016
Day 4: Yellow - Yellow Floral Wrap Dress, Floral Skirt, Black Platform Boots
Admittedly, this look is more spring than winter, but can you blame me? Florals on florals in anticipation for the warmer season. I couldn’t resist pairing these two floral garments together in anticipation for warmer weather.
Yellow Wrap Dress, H&M 2018
Floral Skirt, Thrifted from Goodwill Boston, 2014
Black Platform Boots, Aldo 2016
Day 5: Green - Mint Green Button Down, Emerald Green Slit Skirt, Fishnet Tights
Longer Sleeves = Winter Weather Appropriate, right? 😂
To be honest, I was stumped as to which green garment to rewear as I had chosen two for the previous challenge. I decided to replicate last summer’s look by using the same exact color combination but swapping the previous lace dress out for a button-down.
Green Button-Down Shirt, Express 2018
Emerald Slit Skirt, Forever 21 2016(?)
Fishnet Tights, H&M (super old)
Day 6: Canadian Tuxedo, Sky Blue Holiday Dress
The best way to streamline an already loud outfit is to keep everything within the same color family. I layered a dress on top of this Canadian Tuxedo to add dimension and also because I couldn’t think of any other way to elevate it. What would you have worn with the all-denim look?
Denim button-down, #BorrowedFromSister
Denim jeans, @hm, 2016
Strappy Sky Blue Dress, Topshop 2016
Day 7: Striped Button-Down, Purple Floral Dress
I was so lucky to have found this button-down! It was hanging in mom’s closet and had the exact same colors that were present in the purple skirt. Rather than wearing it as a normal shirt, I turned it into an off-the-shoulder shawl. What do you think?
Floral purple skirt, #RaidedMomsCloset
Green & Purple Striped Button-Down, #RaidedMomsCloset
Day 8: Brown Polka-Dot Skirt, Burgundy Tank, Purple leather jacket, fishnet tights, platform boots
Brown is consistently the hardest color to style. I don’t know if it’s the polka dots on this skirt or the fact that I have very few neutral/beige/tan garments in my closet, but this look was definitely a challenge.
Purple leather jacket, #RaidedMomsCloset
Burgundy tank, H&M 2016
Brown polka dot midi skirt, #RaidedMomsCloset
Fishnet tights, H&M (super old)
Black Platform Boots, Aldo 2016
Day 9: Beige Cardigan, Blue Leopard Keyhole Knit Top, Distressed Jeans
We made it! 🎉
I own very little animal print so this was also very challenging. I paired this dramatic top with a casual beige cardigan and distressed blue jeans for a more laid-back look.
Beige Cardigan, #RaidedMomsCloset
Blue Leopard Keyhole Knit Top, #RaidedMomsCloset
Distressed Blue Jeans, H&M 2016
TAKEAWAYS:
I think the biggest lesson that I learned this time around was that it was both easier and harder to have pre-selected colorful garments to work with. I suppose this is a similar concept to the capsule closet. Having something already planned-out takes the guesswork out of the equation and you can begin to focus in on what works with that one specific garments.
Another thing that caught me off guard was how much easier pairing color was this time around. Since the previous challenge, I’ve gradually incorporated more color into my closet and in the past six months, have gotten really comfortable with knowing which combinations work for me and which ones don’t.
On a final note, although Chloe has already closed the survey for donation collections, you can still donate to support bushfire relief. The best way to do so would be to give directly. This article has a pretty good summary of how you can give back.
Did you participate in the Color My Closet challenge? What was your experience like?
G
