Going grey

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It’s true that I’m attempting to incorporate more and brighter colors to my wardrobe, and that there is nothing bright about grey. But I find that it often combines better with colors than black does. Case in point: a black outfit with a yellow jacket can give off bumblebee vibes if you’re not careful. But a grey-skewing outfit with a yellow jacket just looks cool and subdued. Here are some really good grey specimens, starting with this oversized half-zip sweater.

A cool blazer with attached sweater sleeves, much like the ones from Veronica Beard, but cheaper than the ones from Veronica Beard.

A truly spiff zipper jumpsuit in a nice steely grey.

The color of this cute top is described as faded black, but that qualifies as grey, correct?

A botanical dyed work jacket from Alex Mill that I very much covet.

See what I mean about grey going better than black with bright colors? I love how the bright pink sweater works with this coat.

A chunky cashmere cardi for wearing with everything, all the time.

My quest for grey jeans continues, and I very much like the shade and fit of this pair from J. Crew.

A very cushy-looking faux fur coat.

I typically like neither wide-leg trousers or pleats, but I’m very intrigued by these.

And here’s a pull-on trouser that just looks both easy and comfy.

Just a clean-lined overcoat at a pretty good price.

I’d wear this chic little vest layered over a long-sleeved tee or button-down.

And finally, a deeply versatile cashmere patch pocket cardi.

 

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14 Thoughts on Going grey
    Francine
    2 Nov 2022
    9:37am

    Ooh I have those COS trousers (in black of course) – never thought I’d wear pleats again in this lifetime. But I went up a size for slouch and they are crazy cool. Great quality.

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    Elisabeth
    1 Nov 2022
    10:31am

    Great post! I, too, love grey, I think it can look softer and more chic and less expected than black (which I also love! And blue. My wardrobe is dark.) I’m very drawn to that Faherty top, it’s perfect for Florida fall. And winter, who am I kidding?? Interested in the vest and trousers, too. Finally, that J. Crew cardi would be a forever piece, if their cashmere can be trusted these days.

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      Tahe Z
      1 Nov 2022
      11:35am

      Elisabeth, my wardrobe is very much grey, black, and navy which I love to combine. My mom has given me grief ever since I was a teenager about all the black I wear, but at least I now combine it with other neutrals. Now she just gives me a hard time about forgetting to wear earrings- haha! And agreed on the J Crew cashmere which either pills on the first wear or feels like merino wool.

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        Mamavalveeta03
        2 Nov 2022
        1:41pm

        That’s gotta be a “Mom thing”! Same here.

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    rachel in berkeley
    2 Nov 2022
    8:54pm

    So much beautiful grey. I want it all.

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    E E Deere
    3 Nov 2022
    11:54am

    I love this post too, and especially appreciate the thought that dark grey can look so much better than black with a bright color. It elevates it.
    I looked at the Faherty site, I was not familiar with that brand. They do not appropriate Native design, they collaborate with Native designers. And have some other relevant initiatives. I am so pleased and surprised and gratified. About time.

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    maryse
    1 Nov 2022
    10:29am

    Love gray! Especially mid to darker shades. I find it to be much more versatile than black since it can skew warm or cool, heathered or not. I love both pairs of pants and that oversized sweater from COS (doesn’t come in my size unfortunately, which i would need if i wanted the oversized look). I did buy the J.Crew cashmere cardigan a couple of weeks ago though and it’s really pretty. I plan on wearing it like the model but also over dresses.

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    elizabeth
    1 Nov 2022
    11:49pm

    I love a good dark gray/faded black jean. My favorite pair are a Uniqlo skinny pair from years and years ago that has a lot of denim (so they feel denim like and not like thicker leggings), a low to mid-rise, and the perfect faded black color.

    Also I have that Alex Mill jumpsuit in the button version, and every time I wear it, people stop me and ask where I got it.

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    DK
    1 Nov 2022
    12:16pm

    Grey is such a good neutral! As I’ve gotten older I’ve noticed that black is just too harsh against my skin tone (face & neck) and only wear it from the waist down now. Grey goes with so many other colors the way that black doesn’t and I also love a good navy blue. Sometimes I look in the mirror and wonder what happened to the edgy, all black wearing punk girl who moved from the midwest to the big city and lived to tell the tale. My mother used to say “you’re not going out of the house dressed like that, are you?!” If only she knew that one day I’d be excited about grey and navy blue…🤷🏻‍♀️

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      patty
      2 Nov 2022
      9:52am

      That’s so funny, I always wore grey until the past few years where I’ve skewed to black.

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    Heather
    1 Nov 2022
    11:39am

    I love grey, especially a darker charcoal grey, which can be harder to find. There seems to be much more light grey available.

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    cw
    1 Nov 2022
    11:52am

    I love grey. I do have to be careful about a “yellow” grey as opposed to a “blue” grey if it’s an article going next to my face or hair. I LOVE all these garments––even the fake fur coat which will never see my body because it would make me look like a garden gnome dressed for winter. The J.Crew jeans went into my cart so fast my computer’s head almost fell off.

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      Jax
      3 Nov 2022
      10:45pm

      Me too. I’m great in darker grays, charcoal gray, and also slate gray (with blue in it). I finally realized a couple years ago (during Covid closet assessments!) that a very light gray does nothing for me. I hate when retailers call some taupes gray — they are NOT. There’s a sophistication about gray and it can look less cheap and a bit more luxe and rich than a lot of blacks (esp. jet blacks). I love washed black jeans, which can look very soft, dark charcoal.

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Kim France

I was born in Houston, Texas in 1964 and have lived in New York City since 1988. I had a long career in magazines, working at Sassy, Elle, New York, and Spin, and in 2000, I founded Lucky magazine, which I edited for ten years.

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