So for my armor, with the concept of it being inspired by "Legends" that I'm swapping out some parts in honor of real fallen loved ones, I'm trying to think how to make those specific plates pop a little more than just being a different color from my "base" armor. I had an idea some time back, but with having lost more people since, I've decided to start the color plan from scratch. I wonder if anyone has some ideas that fit other than simply "stripes" or checkerboard-like patterns that would still fit in CRLs.
Most of the individual memory stuff will be strings of chest diamonds attached to my belt or something, so I feel like I can composite the meaning in the swapped plates using more than one color (like red can be in honor of all my parental figures, not just my mom, but then another part might have multiple colors in honor of my friends who didn't make it while I was going through chemo).
So color-wise, my plan is a "base" armor that is "my" armor, primarily grey with some orange trim. Swapped plates will have some real world meanings (like the colors of a few awareness ribbon) and in-universe (like red for honoring a parent), other stuff just incorporating their favorite colors or similarly colors with meaning.
Figured having an idea for paint patterns might also help decide what styles to go for certain plates (as I'm starting back at square one), like I'd hate to go in without a plan and have an idea for a rounded shoulder plate paint design but then get an angular shoulder plate.