Angie's Blog

Update: Cherries and Bows

March 3, 2025

FYI: 

I had to see the cherry sweater in person because I kept thinking about it! (Find #1). The sweater came, and went because:

  • It was dull - (on me). The oatmeal bits are grey, and the pink is greyed and muddy too. Not as vibrant as in the stock photo. The cherries were a fab colour, though. But the rest was not despite the gorgeous quality and good price on sale. 

Happy to have scratched that itch! 

The bows with matching scarf on the other hand, I got a few months ago and they are PERFECT. Much better palette - (for me). Snapped a pic on Valentine's Day. 

Even if the colour of an item is only slightly off, I won't commit to it. It's THE most important part of the item for me. It doesn't matter how stellar the rest of it is. The colour must be right. 

I'm very passionate and particular about colours :) 

Posted in the Shopping category
This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

42 Comments

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 2 weeks ago

    That's interesting, Angie. I didn't realize quite how particular you are about colors. I sometimes compromise on color when an item otherwise feels just right. (Although I can be quite particular about color!) I may rethink my strategy. Maybe it's time to be less willing to bend with color.

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Thanks, Sharan! From what I've seen, you bat for Team Very Particular About Colours too ;) 

  • SW Ann replied 2 weeks ago

    I understand wanting to see the colors in person--sorry it was disappointing.  However that bow blouse and scarf--FAB!! I, too, am picky about my colors and find it helps so much be more discerning about what to keep and what to return.  In the long run, when I have compromised, I am never quite as happy with the item if I don't love the color. 

  • Laura replied 2 weeks ago

    Well done checking out the sweater. I'm so surprised to hear the colors weren't as vibrant as in the photo! Boden items usually seem very vibrant in person. But you are great at being selective and knowing what matters most to you. If not, you'd wind up with too many items that are just okay, and no one needs a closet full of that!

  • Suz replied 2 weeks ago

    You made the right choice! The bows twin-set is perfect on you and for you and I love the vibrant joy you radiate wearing it! 

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Thanks, SW Ann! I'm with you on not compromising on colours. The item isn't right when the colour isn't 100%.

    Laura, wise words! I think the cherry sweater palette would have worked with my platinum hair - not great with my natural dark blonde hair.

    Suz, awwwh! What a sweet thing to say. I'm blushing :) 

  • Brooklyn replied 2 weeks ago

    Me too!!

    Looks like your first choice of jumper was the right choice. The top and scarf look fabulous too.

  • Aquamarine replied 2 weeks ago

    Oh I understand. Whenever I compromise on color, I just don’t reach for the item no matter how fab the fit is. I am very particular—some colors just make me sad!

  • Joyce B replied 2 weeks ago

    At least you tried it out, good for you!

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Thanks, JoyceB! 

    Aquamarine, colours are wildly emotive :)

    Brooklyn, oh I know that about you! You get how the colour of something you wear has to be really right. HIGH FIVE. Thanks for the kind words!

  • The Cat replied 2 weeks ago

    I am with you--colours MUST be right, as they are indeed an important part of personal style. Glad that you got some other colourful items that feel and look perfect.

  • Jaime replied 2 weeks ago

    I nominate you and Brooklyn as co-captains of Team Exact Color or Bust! I am less particular about color, although there are some no gos for me, and more particular about item interest, but when I wear the right color it makes a huge difference. I probably should be more particular - you look so vibrant and beautiful in your colors!

  • Sal replied 2 weeks ago

    Good call, I admire your discipline on colour.

    The one you chose is just perfect!!

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    The Cat, you get the importance of the right colour too ;)

    Jaime, thank you! I accept my co-captain position! 

    Sal, appreciate the kind words :)

  • Lisa replied 2 weeks ago

    Bummer about the cherries but at least now you know. Color is very important in clothing, especially when a wardrobe relies heavily on colors instead of lots of neutrals. 


    The matching bow scarf and sweater sends me into orbit. Now that is a fabulous pair! :)

  • SarahD8 replied 2 weeks ago

    Ohhh well done on being Picky (as well as Patient and Practical, per usual). I'm glad the toffee stripes turned out to be a winner, and it looks like the bow sweater can serve a similar purpose in your wardrobe as the cherries would have. No sense duplicating function with an also-ran: I am taking notes!

  • Jenni NZ replied 2 weeks ago

    I loved it when you were choosing and am sorry it wasn’t right.
    I do hate sending items back which is why I buy very little online. I have reasonable success with shoes but have been known to send back a supposed white pair that was actually cream. Very different in my view!
    I do like your new top and scarf.

  • Star replied 2 weeks ago

    Your discipline is inspirational.

  • Indigoprint replied 2 weeks ago

    Your color superpower seems to be why your pieces play so well together.

  • RobinF replied 2 weeks ago

    Interesting! I wouldn't have expected that sweater to be gray. Too bad. 

    I don't think I am very particular about color. But there are definitely colors I don't like, or that don't look good on me and I stay away from those.

  • Ket replied 2 weeks ago

    You look amazing in your bows! Bummer the cherries sweater was so muddy in color, but I love that you didn't settle! Stock photos are such a gamble.

    Forgive me the show tune but... 

    East is east and west is west
    And the wrong one I have chose
    Let's go where I'll keep on wearin'
    Those frills and flowers and buttons and bows
    Rings and things and buttons and bows

    :D 

    Regarding compromise on color. For me color is very important but so is fit and overall style. Sometimes I'll sacrifice a smidge on color (it really depends) if the fit and style are excellent. Sometimes I"ll sacrifice on style a smidge if the color is really good and find a way to style it better. Even though I love the cherries, I would have sent back the sweater since the rest of the colors were so muddy and greyed.

  • Janet replied 2 weeks ago

    That set is very pretty on you. I’m also now on Team Particular About Colors!

  • cat2 replied 2 weeks ago

    I am on Team Getting Closer to My Colors. I have found that a more constrained palette is starting to make it easier to get dressed.

  • JAileen replied 2 weeks ago

    Well, that's too bad about the sweater.  I’m glad you didn’t settle for the wrong colors.  Not that I thought you ever would.  The sweater/scarf combo is lovely on you.  And your hair - wow - so pretty!

  • slim cat replied 2 weeks ago

    Very cute combo in cherry pink! The perfect colors are the best foundation of easy dressing - especially neutrals like white, light grey, oatmeal and soft beige with all the variations.

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 2 weeks ago

    From your description, and looking again at the online photo, I bet it wouldn't be terrible on me! The pink does look subdued, and a grayed out oatmeal sounds yummy to me. But I don't see myself in argyle cherries. It would be a very wild wild card--haha!

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Lisa, hope your orbited self landed safely! You KNOW how important it is to be picky about colours when you want your wardrobe items to match ;) 

    Thanks, SarahD8! Good to have the reds and pinks covered in a better way. 

    Jenni, the stripes were dead right and my first choice, so sorted! Cream and white ARE different. 

    Star and Indigoprint, appreciate the kind words!

    RobinF, good job staying away from colours that make you sad ;)

    Janet, I know you're very particular about colours too! 

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Ket, thanks for the entertainment! I see nothing but colours that work beautifully on you :)

    cat2, wardrobe items must relate to each other so that outfit creation is easy! To your point, the more focused and disciplined the colour palettes of your wardrobe, the easier it is to pull together cohesive looks.

    JAileen, thank you! You're lovely. 

    Slim Cat, true! When the colours of your wardrobe are right-for-you, choosing daily outfits becomes easier :)

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Sharan, minus the cherries, those muddy pinks and greys are perfect on you!

  • Lisa replied 2 weeks ago

    *returns from orbit* Yes, matching colors (and patterns) are super important! :)

  • Cookie replied 2 weeks ago

    That bow print is so vibrant and happy! I am sure it makes people smile to see.

  • Sisi replied 2 weeks ago

    The red and pink sweater is beautiful and even more so with the scarf. It is fabulous on you!

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Lisa, welcome home :)

    Cookie and Sisi, thanks for the kind words!

  • AJ replied 2 weeks ago

    Too bad about the cherry sweater. The bow set more than makes up for it though. Wow! So beautiful on you! Please tell us the details on how you styled it for Valentine's Day.

  • Runcarla replied 2 weeks ago

    Passionate + particular x picky = perfection!

  • Carol replied 2 weeks ago

    That set looks just great on you! 

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Thanks, Carol! 

    Carla, HAH :) - nice formula!

    AJ, you are sweet, and I appreciate it! I'm wearing the bow sweater and matching scarf now! With cream barrel pants, cream loafers, chartreuse jacket, pink bag, and red specs. Here are the exact items: 

  • jasmine replied 2 weeks ago

    The colors in that sweater/scarf combo are perfect for you! I'm very particular about color, too. For the longest time, I thought I couldn't wear green, but recently discovered that I can if it's just the right shade: an intense, emerald color looks great but anything else washes me out. I can happily wear a greater variety of blues and reds/pinks, but even then they need to be just right or I won't buy the item. Still haven't found "my" shade of yellow; perhaps that will be my next discovery!

  • Dee replied 2 weeks ago

    Holy Smokes, that combo is so vibrant and beautiful. Why wear anything less?

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    jasmine, getting the right tone, shade, and hue of a colour is what it's all about! Sounds like you have that sorted. 

    Dee, thanks for the sweet words :) 

  • Debbie replied 2 weeks ago

    You look great in the bow print. I am sorry the cherries didn’t work out.

  • Angie replied 2 weeks ago

    Thanks, Debbie! I'm not sad about the cherries. The stripe and this twinset worked out perfectly :) 

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Hi, I'm Angie. I'm the co-founder of youlookfab.com and write most of the content. I've been in the Rag Trade for 20 years, and spent many of those years as a buyer. Now I'm a fashion stylist and enjoy this angle just as much. I am committed to making us all feel great about our style.