Have you ever tried peach and mauve together? I hadn’t – until recently – and I am pleasantly surprised at how well they go together. We haven’t done a color combo spotlight before, but I am happy to be kicking off our first with this post – and hope to try out new versions (and of course highlight tried and true combos) in future editions. Let’s get started, shall we?
I have historically found myself drawn to dark colors in various fall shades — ALL. YEAR. ROUND. (What can I say – it is the New Yorker in me)! During May, I participated in Me Made May, and after reviewing my pictures at the end of the month (see my instagram here), I found I REALLY wasn’t happy with how dark they all were. I mean seriously, am I sewing clothes for funerals and memorials??? I really found that my clothes better reflected my mood (and in turn enhanced my mood) when they were brighter colors!
I won’t lie, it’s not like I am not EVER going to return to dark colors (BLASPHEMY), but instead, I want to more intentionally incorporate lighter colors strategically into my wardrobe. That obviously means that I also need to make a more conscious effort to wear them.
Peach Color Spotlight
Let’s start by breaking down the two colors: peach and mauve. Peach (or light apricot maybe?) is a great summer color to try. On some skin shades, the color shows up almost neutral, but you can play with the tone to find the right shade for your skin. I think it is best to find a shade that does not blend in, but rather stands out enough to hold its own (and help to eliminate the appearance of nudity)!
The fabric I used for this cami is actually what I would consider muslin (or practice) fabric. Believe it or not – I have like 4 yards of it! I purchased it on clearance at a fabric shop in Maryland and paid about $3/yd. It has a crepe-like texture and is most likely a polyester, since it doesn’t iron well. But man, oh, man – sewn up, this True Bias Ogden cami pairs well with just about EVERYTHING I pair it with! I thought sure it had met its incompatible match in these mauve pants – but I stand PLEASANTLY corrected!
Mac in her mauve Winslow Culottes
Mauve Color Spotlight
Mauve, on the other hand, is a VERY interesting color. It is a FANTASTIC cross between pink and purple and comes in a wide variety of shades. Not only do I not know how to pronounce it (is it MAW-ve or MOE-ve), but I have a hard time describing it to people. No matter how you pronounce it – it is one of my new most favorite colors EVER!
According to color psychology.com:
Mauve is the hue of decadence, youth, and femininity. It evokes feelings of purity and devotion, with the moodiness of a deeper purple. Mauve brings to mind the ethos of renewal associated with springtime.
People who choose mauve as their favorite color are hopeless romantics. They are idealistic and pure. Likely, they retain their childlike sense of wonder at the world. They may be criticized for being too dreamy and having their heads in the clouds.
I like that definition!
Combining the Colors
So why do I think these two work together? Well, I think it is because they are both in a soft color palette (muted maybe?), and they don’t compete for space. The mauve is far more intense, while the blush is happy to play second fiddle. What I am really curious about is whether these work together so well because the darker color is anchoring the outfit as pants and the lighter peach color is being used as a top. I will need to reverse the color combo to test that theory – but for now, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Sewists’ Notes
If you sew, and are interested in the details on these two handmade pieces, you should check out our original post on the Helen’s Closet Winslow Culottes, and this post, where I highlight this Ogden Cami (which Katie sewed up here as well).
What other color combos should we feature? Let us know in the comments below, or on facebook or instagram!
– Mac
