Has anyone done Seasonal Color Analysis? Does it work for you? - YouLookFab Forum

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Has anyone done Seasonal Color Analysis? Does it work for you?

rosee

Veteran

I have rarely followed color prescriptions, especially the old "Color Me Beautiful" system divided into 4 seasons, but recently I came across this link:

http://www.thechicfashionista......sis-2.html

I am impressed. I actually like this one b/c it goes into more depth than the older systems. I was classified as a "Deep Winter", and the color palette given for my coloring I would actually wear and often do. I like how the "Deep Winter" and "Deep Autumn" have many overlapping and similar colors. Before I couldn't decide if I was a Fall or a Winter. And there are colors of the "Deep Autumn" I would wear too, but the cooler palette looks better on me.

What do you think? Does it work for you? Any better suggestions for picking complimentary colors?

YAY = works for me
NAY = doesn't work for me

Dressing

36 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

MsMaven

Veteran

I've been "analyzed" 3 times--classified as Spring, Autumn and Summer. Not too useful until I found a book that had the classifications similar to the one you posted. The one that works for me is soft-muted leaning to the warmer side.

I used to go shopping with my little packet of Spring samples but wasn't happy with the results I brought home. Then I had the colors done again at a spa and the analysts was quite emphatic that I wasn't "light and bright." I've been told that as women age they tend to move towards the cooler side a bit, yet others insist you never change your basic classification.

Now I look for colors that are a bit softer and muted, but not too much. I buy what I like and think looks good on me and don't worry too much about the season.

Lynne

Veteran

I am a fan, Rosee. I read the old book years ago and worked out I was a summer, but in this new system, I am soft, and cool. I paid for a consultation, as my friend has just trained as a CMB consultant, and it was really good to see the difference the right hues could make. I also bought the book, Colour Me Confident, and I have to say the colour plates are spot on with the fabric swatches I got with my consultation. So, FWIW, I say yay!

Steph

Veteran

I am a fan of the 12 season analysis, rather than the four season analysis. I started researching this last summer and feel like I have learned so much that I could almost do the analysis for others at this point.

I think one important thing is that the online tests you can take are a good starting point, and will work for some people, but the most important thing is how the colors look on you. There can be people with brown hair classified as, for example, a light summer, if those are the colors that look best on their skin.

I had someone do an online analysis for me and she got it all wrong--she said I was a soft summer, which really makes no sense (my skin is very clearly warm, and I look good in brights). Just the other day I had another online analysis done (I would prefer to be draped, but no one in my area does it), and I came back as a bright spring, which is much more in line with what I had thought--all of my clothing already fit into the bright spring palette (I think people have an instinct about what works for them, and I clearly did).

I sometimes see women on this board and try to figure out what their coloring would be. Angie is definitely a spring of some sort, considering her favorite colors. I would think either a bright spring or a light spring for her!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I did this a few years ago, and it was a great jumping off point to eliminate what colors simply make me look awful (PASTELS). The next step, which I'm still working on, is figuring out which make me *feel* like *me* which may or may not be limited to the prescribed colors. Overall, I say yay!

Lynne

Veteran

Rosee, the caveat I would add is that just because a colour isn't flattering near your face, doesn't mean you have to eliminate it all together. It can probably work in smaller quantities away from your face. I do this with black - I have it in a watch strap, a belt, ballet flats, and a tote bag, and thats about it! Even though I avoid wearing it, I like having a little bit around for contrast. So, as Angie says, never say never, and have fun with fashion.

MsMaven

Veteran

Echoing what Lynne says: I don't look good in strong contrast prints such as black and white, but if I find a skirt I like in a black/white print, I get it and work on finding a more flattering color near my face. I have a hard time with most shades of yellow, but this year I found a yellow bag that looks good with most of my clothes.

One thing I found objectionable with the Color Me Beautiful system was the dogmatic insistence you had to conform to her method. The first time I did it was through a small class and the analyst advised us to dye our carpets and dip our silver or gold jewelry to match our season. Not only that, I had just bought a new Porsche 944 in Kalahari Beige--sort of a golden beige with a hint of metallic. She went out in the parking lot to inspect it and decided it was okay for me.

I find picking jewelry a challenge--muted is better than bright and shiny for me whether gold or silver. I love it that mixed metals came in fashion--makes it easier for me.

Aida

Veteran

I like the idea of the 12 season analysis but am unable to make it work for me since I cannot tell if my undertones are warm or cool. My color preference is based entirely on experimentation.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I haven't had color analysis done as such, but a few reliable sources pointed me in the direction of "winter", which made all the sense after reading a bit about it.
As someone who didn't trust her insticts at all, that provided much needed explanation why some colors that I gravitated to instinctively (e.g. red) worked so well for me, while some others that I wanted to work (brown) were a disaster when worn near my face.

Once the theory underpinned my desire to finally start sorting out my wardrobe with the sort of information I could understand and apply easily, getting the colors right was the first and most important step. It was liberating and about 70-80% of my wardrobe was gone. Today I even shop with my main colors in mind. That means less time browsing endlessly and less frustration because I skip what definitely doesn't work.

I experiment, but shyly, and may even divert to something that is not "my color", but the core of my wardrobe is stuff I can rely on and definitely works in terms of colors.

Steph

Veteran

Aida, for what it's worth, after reading your comment I went to your blog and looked at a bunch of your outfits. I think I would peg you as a deep autumn--my favorite colors on you were a gorgeous deep mossy green sweater dress you had, olives, black, and red. All fall into the deep autumn palette.

I think that the whole warm/cool thing is way less important than just seeing what colors work on you--almost working backward. Eight of the 12 seasons are "neutral" seasons anyway, meaning the person can wear both warm and cool colors, although they tend more toward one than the other.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I bought the CMB book and one of the related books a few years ago. I am a winter but am not sure which of the ones on this test I am. I know I can't wear bright orange or yellow or most warm colors. Black, white, grey and navy all work well for me but my favorite colors are fuchsia, teal, and royal blues. That puts me firmly in the cool camp.

Aida

Veteran

Ohhh thank you Steph! That is extremely helpful. Most tests put me in square in Winter and I felt like I could wear colors from both deep Autumn and deep Winter equally well. With their system I have to know my warm/cool coloring to differentiate and as I said I can't tell. Hmmm I'll have to try some new colors out now (looking your way, yellow!)

Steph

Veteran

Aida, a Deep Autumn is closely related to a Deep Winter and will be able to wear a lot of colors from the Deep Winter palette as well, so it isn't surprising that you gravitate toward both.

Dianthus, if you're a winter, I would eliminate Deep Winter, because it does have some warm colors in the palette. If you really can't wear warm, you are probably a Cool Winter (aka True Winter) because that is a purely cool season and doesn't have any relation to warm seasons. Your love of fuschia might put you in the bright winter camp, but if so you should be able to wear some clear yellows. Fuschia and royal blue are colors for both cool winter and bright winter (they can also be worn by bright springs, but that's a warm season, so it sounds like it isn't you), but since you aren't good in yellow, I would guess cool winter for you.

qfbrenda

Veteran

It worked well for me. I was color tested years ago and am an obvious winter. I still see in the mirror that those colors work best with my skin.

Susan Brennan

I had a professional color analysis done about 10 years ago. This system matched the actual colors in my hair, skin, and eyes. Then complementary colors were chosen for additional choices to prepare my palette. Consequently, as a typical Autumn, I can wear most warm browns, reds, all greens, eggplant, teal, creams, and soft golds. Black is not a good color near my face, but my analyst recommended pairing it with mustard for a flattering look. This has worked really well for for clothing, makeup, and jewelry.

cheryl

Veteran

I have been labeled a winter and i think it is pretty accurate but you all now have me interested in the whole 12 season thing lol.

Joy

Veteran

Not a fan of any analysis that puts one in a season. We are all just too variable. Some colors from each season are my best and some my worst. A friend was trained to hold up lots of color swatches to the face in good natural light and had small pieces she mounted on cards of those that flattered. She also picked out the best light and dark neutrals. There were no seasons involved, just what looked best on you. I can't remember all the details, but she looked at all the colors in your eyes, color inside the lower lip, etc. It worked very well for me. I need to do it again since my hair has gone grey.

Laurel Pederson

Oh, I love this sort of thing, and I can't wait to check out this new 12 system one. I have always thought I was a winter, and I think that's accurate. For the most part, I naturally go to colors that look good on me... except the occasional infatuation with mustard yellow. Probably not my color.

A friend of mine told me she read a book that grouped people in three catigories: dawn, midday, and dusk. So, under that system, everyone can wear every color, just colors that are sort of grey under toned, bright/true colors, and gold undertone. I think. I haven't read the book!

Laurel Pederson

Oh dear. I do actually know how to spell categories....

Kate

Veteran

I'm a huge fan. I still have a couple spring items (up until about a year ago I thought I was a spring), and a couple odd black and gray items, but for the most part my wardrobe is full on autumn! The mixing possibilities are SO much better now that I stick to a certain palette, and I no longer have people asking me if I feel ok because I'm wearing a color (ie pastels) that make me look sickly!

Anonymous

Oh gee, I just looked at that website and I'm totally confused! I love stuff like this though.

ButterflyLady

(website)

Veteran

I had my colours analysed about 20 years ago, by an independent person - she did as Joy said, and draped various pieces of fabric on me, and made up a swatch book of what was best - she was excellent. I pretty much stuck to that (lots of warm colours) for a long while. Last year I had CMB do my colours again, and she came up with soft, light/warm for me, which I think is pretty accurate, as 20 years of ageing (I mean maturing LOL) has softened my colouring a little.

rosee

Veteran

Varied responses as I was predicting it would be. I kind of like this stuff b/c it is fun but I don't think of it as hard science though. I can definitely see why there would be objections (like being too immersed into this line of thinking).
I agree with Lynne and MsMaven that many colors and combinations don't need to be worn right next to the face, and that opens up many more possibilities.
AND... it is important that your CAR is in line with your color palette... c'mon now ladies! ;P

Steph, you really seem to know your way around this system!!! All online consultations will be referred to Steph.
Aida, I think you and I have similar coloring (that's why we got the same 2 related categories). YAY for Mediterranean girls!
Laurel, thanks for mentioning the other system -- the dawn /midday /dusk system -- I had that book from the library, but I had a hard time narrowing down which one I was (I think I was dusk).

Interestingly, I remember an article from Real Simple magazine a few years ago about universally flattering colors, and they even provided the Pantone chip!
They were offered as neutrals too:
- true red
- Indian teal (a darker teal)
- shell pink
- eggplant.
I love these colors anyway so I remembered the Pantone names for them. Aren't I a geek?!? ;P

Lynne

Veteran

Rosee, I agree that Steph is our new YLF on-line colour consultant.

Aida, I agree with Steph - I can definately see warmer deeper colours working better for you than cooler and/or lighter.

Kate, I have found the same as you. My wardrobe works a lot better with clothes that are soft/cool/llight. It helps that I am also a low contrast gal who likes tone-on-tone combinations, too.

Ms Maven, too funny about the car! Did you hide your husband in case he didn't fit with the colour scheme :D?

After my colour consultation, the consultant came to my house and pointed out that I had painted and decorated in 'my' colours! Has anyone else found this?

Kate

Veteran

Lynn, I'm the opposite, my house and bedroom growing up are both decorated with lots of cool blue colors with black and white photography. These colors are just so relaxing and soothing to me, and I love the texture of black and white pictures. However, when I finish grad school I'll be moving and leaving a lot of my current furniture behind, so we'll see how I end up decorating my future home.

MsMaven

Veteran

Well Lynne, you will laugh but I did get the book for men and DH has analyzed himself as a summer. When we go shopping he tells salespeople that he can or cannot wear certain colors because they are/are not in his season. (He hates shopping for himself right away.) He's gotten some surprised reactions--apparently many men aren't into color analysis.

We match up pretty well because we are both medium to low contrast and our outfit choices tend to harmonize. His eyes look blue with a blue shirt, green with a green shirt and gray with a gray shirt, and he looks good in all those colors, so he is definitely on the cool side, color-wise.

rosee

Veteran

original link:

http://www.thechicfashionista......sis-2.html

the link that explains issues like why you can be in 2 categories at the same time:

http://www.thechicfashionista......lysis.html

color theory but simplified:

http://www.thechicfashionista......heory.html

Aziraphale

Veteran

Hmm. That's an informative site, and I enjoyed reading it. It confirms what I already know about my colouring.

I'm not usually a big supporter of colour analysis because I can tell what looks horrific and what doesn't by looking in the mirror! I don't wear any truly unflattering colours, but sometimes I like to wear ones that aren't strictly the best for me because, well, I like them. I don't like being told what to do -- I'll be the judge, thanks!

Having said that, I think colour charts can be a useful tool for those who aren't totally sure of what is flattering, or who would like a second opinion.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I ran into the idea of a 'clear' category a few years ago and that really made a difference for my own self-analysis. I can wear some wintery colors but not all, and a few warmer colors, but not the classic autumn oranges etc. I seem to do best with those clear colors that don't have any muddy/brown undertones. I'm pretty sure, based on this site, that I'd be a clear spring.

I think most people seem to be drawn to colors that flatter them, but there are always exceptions. Sometimes we have an emotional attraction to a color, and sometimes there are practical reasons for wearing things that aren't the best color-wise.

Alessi

I went for a seasonal analysis quite recently. The lady I saw uses 12 seasons instead of 4. I turned out to be a "cool winter".
I was really quite happy about being a "cool winter", as I really like the colours on the palette.
One thing the lady did say was that you can actually wear any colour you like, you just need to be careful which colours you put near your face. So that is where the palette comes in handy. I have started experimenting with wearing scarves as a result

I actually think it is pretty worthwhile as I can really see the difference when I have the right colours near my face.
She also showed me some eyeshadow shades that are from my palette and how to apply them. It made an amazing difference and makes my eyes look really bright.

So I am a fan of it - I thought it was definitely worth the money

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