Can adding just  two more garments really double the outfits in our coordinated wardrobe?  You bet!

The secret is to build two more Color Columns from the tops we added last lesson.  Remember - although both the shell and jacket in our example are camel, they could just as easily be two different but compatible shades.

When we add the matching skirt and pant, we create two outfits by pairing each bottom with just the shell (pant option not pictured) and two more by matching the jacket with each bottom - its high button stance lets us use this jacket without an under-layer top, remember?  Or we can layer the matching jacket over the pant/shell combo or the pant/skirt column (not pictured).  That's 6 new options already 

We can add a matching camel shoe, or stay with the darker brown that repeats the hair color of our imaginary client.   You've probably already noticed that these lighter outfits need touches of darker accessories to maintain the right value contrast for our "client".  That could be a dark necklace or scarf, the skinny brown belt in place of the jacket's self tie, and/or the dark brown or animal print handbag.

Playing back to the brown garments from our original Core, we can layer the cardigan over the camel pant/shell or skirt/shell.  Don't forget Shoulder Shapers to support the lines of the unstructured cardigan.  And be sure to add a link.  Or two ...

Or we can substitute the brown shell under the pant/jacket or the skirt/jacket.  And link ...

Or we can use the brown shell and cardigan set atop the camel pant or camel skirt (not pictured).  These pairings require a visually dominant - probably lighter colored - accessory at the neckline to balance the look and keep the lighter bottom color from drawing too much attention where most of us would rather not have it.

Voila!  Twelve more combinations.  If you're getting a little burned out on camel/brown combos ... next week we'll start to add some pops of color and stretch our options even further.  Believe it or not, our next 2 pieces will make 20 more outfits ...  stay tuned.

Some of you have written that you're chugging right along with your garment selection, but struggling to find just the right linking accesories.  Maybe I can help.  I've put together an extensive line of accessories designed with this color-linking concept in mind.  I don't sell them through my web site because I only carry one or two of any given item.  But if you email me the color  combination you're looking for I can send you back some quick photos of items that might be right for your outfit. 

For example, Patti C in llinois needed a link for her navy and periwinkle blue grouping.  From several options I photographed, she picked the necklace and earrings below, which arrived just in time for her to proclaim them "Absolutely perfect!" and toss them into the suitcase for a business trip.  You can see other examples of linking combinations ... then email me your color needs and we'll see what we can do.  Pricing is similar to Chicos or Coldwater Creek, but with earrings included for about the cost of their necklace alone.