Ever found yourself wandering the shops, feeling completely uninspired by what’s on offer? You know your colours, you’ve done the work – but suddenly everything on the racks is beige, black, or bright orange. None of it suits you, and all of it feels like a compromise.
This was exactly Helen’s dilemma: “My challenge is finding the right colours for my summer wardrobe when they aren’t current fashions.”
If you have light colouring, you may find winter shopping harder as there are fewer light colours, and conversely, those with dark colouring often find summertime harder to shop for as the stores fill with light pastel colours that do them no favours.
If you’ve ever felt boxed in by what’s “in season”, it’s not because there’s something wrong with your style – it’s because the system is set up to push trends, not support individuality.
The good news? You’re not limited to what the big stores are offering right now.
You have options – more than you might think.
1. Thrift and Secondhand Stores
Thrift shops are a treasure hunt – and yes, it can be hit and miss. But unlike mainstream retail, secondhand racks aren’t restricted by season or trends. Every colour under the sun shows up here. If you’re willing to scan the rails with a discerning eye, you’ll often find hidden gems in your colours, cuts and fabrics – sometimes from quality brands, and always at a fraction of the price. Here are my tips on how to thrift like a stylist.
2. Online Consignment and Resale
Platforms like eBay, Depop, and speciality online consignment stores give you access to a global wardrobe. You can filter by colour, fabric, size, and style. These aren’t governed by seasonal collections, so you’re far more likely to find that teal linen blouse or soft rose wrap dress – even if it’s nowhere to be seen in the shops right now.
3. Outlet Stores and Discount Retailers
Outlet centres and stores like TK Maxx (or TJ Maxx in the US), Marshalls, and similar discount retailers often carry past-season stock. That means greater variety in both colour and style. You’re not forced into this season’s palette – you can access colours that align with your personal colour analysis, rather than the colour of the year.
4. Sew Your Own (or Have It Made)
If you sew, you already know the freedom this gives you. You can choose fabrics in your colours and patterns that flatter your shape, and create garments that actually fit your body – not some marketing department’s fit model.
But if you don’t sew? Find a local dressmaker. It doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A custom piece in your colours and your fit can be life-changing – especially if you’ve spent years settling for “good enough” in the fitting room.
This is a skirt I made after not being able to find a comfy grey skirt in stores.
5. Dye It
Summer’s fashions are full of lightweight fabrics like cotton and linen, which also happen to be perfect for dyeing. If you can’t find a top in your colours, look for a white one in a natural fibre and dye it to suit. This is especially useful for filling wardrobe gaps in a pinch, or making use of clothes you already own but no longer wear. I’ve also had clients remove the dye, particularly from dark and black garments, then overdye on top to a colour that works. Check out my posts on overdying for more tips.
6. Look Beyond Your Local Mall
Don’t underestimate the power of a wider search. Many online stores, especially those outside your own country, offer broader colour ranges. When you’re not locked into what’s available in a five-kilometre radius, your options open up massively. Do internet searches using the kind of fabric you’re after, and even the colour, and see what pops up. You may be surprised that there is something you love available.
One Step at a Time
Having your palette is the first step in building a wardrobe of clothes that work together easily, mix and match seamlessly and make you truly shine. Finding them in stores is the next step; there are definitely ways of doing this. And it’s important to remember that the best wardrobes are built over time (not overnight). Each season, one or two of your colours will be around; just look at those rather than shopping with a fixed mindset about what you’re after.
It’s worth taking the time, as you’ll truly end up with a wardrobe full of clothes you love to wear.
Make Sure You’re Using Your Palette Correctly
Frequently, I see women attempting to match colours exactly and dismissing anything that is not an exact match. This is not how to use your palette; instead, it’s about finding the same close family to the colours in your palette – check out my tips here.
Otherwise, you could be easily overlooking many items that would work for you, making shopping that much harder and more frustrating.
The Real Problem Isn’t You – It’s the System
Most mainstream retailers are catering to trend cycles, not to personal expression. That’s why it can feel like everything’s wrong when the colour season shifts. But your wardrobe doesn’t need to follow the retail calendar.
In fact, the more aligned you are with your authentic colours and style, the less relevant trends become. You stop chasing what’s new and start curating what’s right – for you, your body, your energy, and your life.
If, like Helen, you’re frustrated by what’s on the racks, remember this: your style doesn’t need permission from the fashion industry. You can create a wardrobe that works for you, not against you – no matter what season it is.
Before you give up or buy something you’ll regret, explore these alternative paths. Chances are, what you’re looking for is already out there – just not where the mainstream wants you to look.
How to Determine the Best Colours that Match Your Colour Palette
Struggling with Mixed-Colour Patterns? Here’s How to Choose Right Ones for Your Colour Palette
Mastering Undertones: Choosing Colours and Patterns That Work With Your Palette
Vintage and Second-Hand Fashion: Finding Hidden Gems
