When you try to put an outfit together, do you sometimes feel that the colors don’t “do anything” for you? We’ve all been in that position! Usually we are forced to make a guess, or experiment, or we ask our friends if we are brave. There is a better solution!
About 20 years ago some bright person developed a concrete way to find out which colors look best on YOU. Don’t ask me who figured it out, but it works. Colors were categorized into the seasons of the year and, we were categorized into Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter People. The colors that work with a certain hair, complexion, and eye color were grouped and associated with the seasons of the year. The colors for each season are roughly comparable to the colors we typically see at that time of year.
Here’s how you determine which season you are– and it’s almost like magic. Have a friend help you if you are brave or need input. Gather up a bunch of scarves, or large pieces of cloths of all colors. Sit down in front of a dresser mirror with only a bra on (or neutral blouse) so no other colors can distract you. Take the scarves, one at a time and drape them around your neck. Some will look terrific: they will light up your eyes, complexion and hair. Those are the key signs you look for. Other colors will look terrible; toss them to the floor. Eventually you will find that a certain variety of colors look best on you. This palette will correspond to a certain season.
Lets go over some examples. I’ll start with Spring, because that is my season. Later blogs will cover the other seasons.
In the picture below you can see eye color, hair, and skin color of a typical Spring person. The swatches around her face are the colors that look well on her.
A Spring person has gold skin tones, but this may vary from pale ivory to medium beige:
A Spring person ‘s hair varies from flaxen blonde, golden honey, strawberry blonde, to medium brown. Eyes may be sparkling blue, blue-green, aqua, brown or gray brown. The spring palette blossoms with clear delicate colors. Delicate — not vivid, is the key to flatter the Spring person. Off white or cream are great foundations to show off these delicate colors.
I keep these colors in mind whenever I shop so I rarely have to return blouses, vests, and sweaters when I get home. Not only does this save time and effort, it saves money: If it doesn’t look good on you, then you will never wear it. It takes up space in your closet until you throw it out. This technique was so valuable to me that when I first learned about this, I began to carry swatches in my purse. It works!
Watch my upcoming blogs for Summer, Fall, and Winter.