Your personal timeless colours

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

Your personal timeless colours

— by Angie

on January 28, 2009

Neutrals like black, grey, brown, cream, white, navy and nude are considered timeless, but most colours waft in and out of fashion. Recently on the forum there was an interesting discussion about colours that are forever fashionable just for you. These are the colours that are extremely flattering for your complexion, hair colour, eye colour and personality. When I work with my clients I refer to them as signature colors. It really doesn’t matter if it’s not the “it” fuchsia” or last season’s “teal”. If you look fabulous in particular shades, you should wear them regardless of their fashion status because signature colours do not date.

Unfortunately, items in timeless colours are not without their challenges. For some items the style will date even if the colour is forever. And it’s not always easy finding items in your timeless colours. You might find loads of items in one season and nothing for a few seasons thereafter. The answer is to buy items in more timeless styles and stock up on them when the colours are in fashion. This is why I bought quite a few things in tomato red and an acidic yellowy-green over the last few seasons. These are my timeless colours and I’d be awfully unhappy if they were absent from my wardrobe. How about you?

These shades of red and citrusy yellow have always been my forever fashionables. That all too famous 50’s “Tiffany’s blue” is a recent addition to the list. With the resurgence of turquoise for Spring 2009, I plan to stock up.

Colour

37 comments · Add a comment

Tanya

What an interesting article Angie!

I have been very lucky this winter season that some of my personal best colors – purple and teal have been very popular. I am looking forward to their lighter versions – lilac and turquoise for spring ( I guess we share the feelings on turquoise). In addition to these, I really like blues, both clear and blue-greens, deep blue-reds, berries and wines, and pinks.

January 28, 2009 at 7:59 am

Tiffany

Navy always works for me, as does wedgwood blue and a certain shade of lavender. (I can only find an item in that shade every few years…then I have to try to make it last until I find the next one.)

The challenge with navy, for me at least, is to keep it from looking too boring. Yes, there are a million navy suit jackets out there, but that’s not usually what I need.

January 28, 2009 at 8:07 am

Joy

This is such an interesting topic. Navy is my best dark neutral, and I was excited to see some at Ann Taylor recently as it’s been in short supply lately.
I stocked up when ink was an in color, but then lost too much weight to even alter those items.
The teals, fushias and purples are awful to just ok on me, so I’m looking forward to a change and hoping for tomato red to go just a bit more coral or less saturated. Turquoise is great and that Tiffany’s blue looks like a winner for me.
Angie, does the color saturation come into play for you? Sometimes there’s a color that would be so much better on me if its brightness were softened a bit or a pastel that washes me out but would be wonderful in a deeper shade.

January 28, 2009 at 8:24 am

Dee2do

This is great to hear. It seemed like for a few years none of my signature colors were in the stores. Of course, now they are everywhere and in every style imaginable. Time to stock up.
Love your red MJ purse.

January 28, 2009 at 8:28 am

Louise

I love this posting, Angie. I always buy tops (and often flats) on sale in the greens, blues, and reds that I consider my “star’ colors and gravitate towards. Camisoles and close fitting tops with different sleeve lengths can always work alone with slacks, skirts, and shorts as well as under sweaters and jackets. I stash new white tops found on sale for the next summer season. No matter how good my white t’s look in the fall when I tend to put them away, they always appear a bit off when I take them out in the spring. You are correct about the accessories often going out of style even though the color remains a favorite. I look for vintage handbags and scarves. Somehow a vintage bag doesn’t seem so dated, even when it is obviously so much older than a 5 year old choice. The Kelly bag style always works for me. I bought an alligator one from ebay years ago that I always “go to” a few times in the fall and winter. The gently used Brahmin bags, which are availble in several colors from previous years, are a great buy on ebay considering what they ask for them brand new. They offer many of their styles in the embossed leather that looks like alligator or croc skins. Great texture! My favorite is in shades of deep pinky reds that I return to in the summer. Now I am coveting their peacock blue/green bag number. They pop up on on ebay once in a while. I know that particular color would relate to my eyes. Thank you for the subtle fashion hints as well as the more obvious! I am in my 50s, and I try to stay fashionable!

January 28, 2009 at 8:41 am

Ellen

I stock up on silver and, more recently, pearl accessories – a key to my style. In colours, navy, grey, white, and black are my staples and they just don’t go out of style. But I find that shades of grey that flatter perfectly or particular items in navy can be hard to find. I’ve learned that I need to snap something up if it perfectly fits my style and colouring… I’ve spent too much time trying to re-find that perfect item I let slip through my fingers!

January 28, 2009 at 8:56 am

Ellen

Also – I get a lot of my colour through scarves, so when I see a scarf that I know would bring out my eyes or flatter my complexion, I like to stock up. Examples of those colours would be blues (ink, cobalt, even light blue) and softer pinks. I will wear those in accessories no matter what the current rage.

January 28, 2009 at 8:57 am

Diana

(website)

I think that classic red, eggplant and lilac are some of my timeless personal colors. Red seems to look good with just about everything!

January 28, 2009 at 8:58 am

Wendy

(website)

Teals, turquoise and fuschias are my ideals!

January 28, 2009 at 9:08 am

Ana

This is really interesting Angie, thank you for posting it. I enjoyed the color thread on the forum as well.

I like wearing a lot of different colors, so I’ve just been happy with the “bright” trend the past few seasons. Coral, teal blue, bright sunshine yellow, and tomato red are probably my best colors, so I always try to stock up on those. Certain shades of green are good on me too, and I like wearing that color a lot because it matches my eyes. However, I have to be a bit more careful with those, since so many tend to be very cool and unflattering with my skin and hair. But if I come across a bright green that works for me, I usually try to buy the item in question if it is still flattering in other ways. I just bought a green dress that I am very excited about. It should be arriving today in the mail! I’m sure I’ll post photos on the forum once it arrives.

January 28, 2009 at 9:29 am

Linda

I don’t think I agree with the idea that colors go out of style. It’s true that “they” seem to try to push some color or another every season so that certain other colors become hard to find, but with the possible exception of neon 80s shades, it’s hard for me to imagine looking at someone and thinking, “The colors in that outfit are SO ten years ago.” In home furnishings, yes. In clothing, no.

That said, I will always buy things in plum/eggplant/whatever you want to call that, and I don’t care whether anyone thinks it’s “in.” And for all colors, I am happy when sort of dusky versions of them are popular, and very sad when the pastel versions crowd them out.

January 28, 2009 at 9:31 am

Linda

Oh, and the mid-1980s yellow power tie for men … I guess that looks dated. But maybe only to those who remember it.

January 28, 2009 at 9:33 am

Real Style Real People

(website)

I am normally a fall girl- browns and greens and oranges-lately though blue reds-and for some reason, steel gray- can’t get away from it!

January 28, 2009 at 9:33 am

greenglove

(website)

What a great topic!! My signature colors are anything reddish brown, cognac, rust , pumpkin, tomato(warm red) ,coral in all kinds of saturation levels. It is hard to find those colors in any season. I also like all greens from olive to teal as long as they are not too bright. Any brown, from chocolate to camel. I stay away from pastels and really bright pinks and purples although eggplant and more muted violets are great especially with green. I wish that I could find shoes in colors that matched my red hair, the reds are always more of a burgundy or bright red. I also like citrus and acidic greens with black for more drama. All types of earth tones are staples in my wardrobe. Bright white and pink are probably my worst colors. It is great to be reminded of this when I find things I love that do not work for me!! Color is a powerful communicator

January 28, 2009 at 9:54 am

Brianna

I’m only just starting to develop a sense of my best and signature colours. I find the concept really useful when shopping–I just skip over things that don’t fit my colour scheme, for the most part.

I’ve found that I love highly saturated colours. These are my favourites:
red
citron
clear and mustard yellows
turquoise
cobalt blue

And my neutrals:
grey
black
white
ink blue–I have nothing in this colour but I love it and want to add it in. I’d love to find an ink blue trench for spring.

If everything in my closet was in one of those colours (plus denim, of course), I’d be very happy. I do like fuschia and might go for a dab of it this spring/summer.

I bought a few things in purple and teal this season, and while I am wearing them, I never feel great in them. I don’t think they’re “me”.

January 28, 2009 at 10:12 am

Eva

I love all the reds (tomato, deep, burgundy). I also love turquoise, purples and fuchsias. Joy, I do think color saturation makes a difference. I have dark hair and olive complexion and the jewel tones work best for me.

January 28, 2009 at 10:31 am

Nicole

I am torn about this topic. I don’t feel I have any signature colors. I like lots of different colors and wear them all. I don’t know if I’m wearing colors I shouldn’t be wearing though–or if I’m just lucky that I can wear red, yellow, orange, green, blue in various shades and tones. I am also a big fan of black–which I know is not a YLF endorsed proceedure–but I like black, I think I look good in black so long as I have another color peeking out from somewhere–and it’s a very acceptable color in New England.

The only colors I don’t care for (on myself) are mustard yellow and pale pink.

January 28, 2009 at 11:07 am

Sihaya

My signature color is tomato red! I always have something red on me even if it’s my watch. And I love bright colors. So recently when there were a few seasons with just neutrals, it was challenging for me. I am so glad we’ve had a spurt of brights and I have indeed stocked up. Angie – interesting to see you gravitate towards Tiffany blue since when I first met you, you weren’t much of a blue person. It’s a great reminder to me to stay flexible and try new things from time to time since my tastes might change.

January 28, 2009 at 11:13 am

Julia

Thanks for another timeless advice! I knew that I should stock up my favorite colors when it’s in but was not keen on the style part. I should keep that in mind going forward.

January 28, 2009 at 11:30 am

Sal

(website)

Bright red, hot pink, and teal are always in rotation for me – regardless of trends.

January 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm

Miss Urbanita

(website)

Looove turquoise shirt! Kisses

January 28, 2009 at 12:35 pm

Kyla

I look particularly good in black (my #1, will-always-look-amazing colour), grey, and navy, but those are always fairly easy to find in every season and year.

My harder to find ones are deep wine, kelly green, cobalt and turquoise. I treasure the pieces I have in those colours.

The one colour I wish I could add on there, because I love it, but unfortunately it does not flatter AT ALL is chocolate brown. Someone suggested I should try a dark brown with cool instead of warm undertones, but I have never actually found anything in that colour.

January 28, 2009 at 12:45 pm

Maya

I wear tons of teal, turquoise, and almost any shade of red (as you are aware of, Angie). But I think you can have too much of a good thing. My wardrobe has become a bit matchy-matchy because I always gravitate towards the same colors, and now I’m finding that I have to incorporate some contrast. I”m trying to build up on yellows because I think yellow looks lovely with those colors. I also want to try more unexpected “clashing” color combinations, like red and fuschia. I really am liking the idea of lime green with turquoise.

I actually really like the three colors that are posted as examples together. Last year I was bent on incorporating citron and ink blue, but somehow didn’t end up with anything in either color.

January 28, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Chelle

Angie, I love your signature colors because they are colors that I might expect to see on a dark brunette and like the idea of them on a blonde! I’m not sure that I have signature colors yet. If I check out my closet I do see lots of red, teal, and green with a few other colors mixed in.

Question for those of you who do have definite signature colors…do you stick to those colors with neutrals exclusively?

January 28, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Joelle

Deep jewel tones and light, cool pastels work well for me, so I tend to buy more clothes when those colors are plentiful. Dark, saturated teal is a particular favorite of mine. To date I have not had a problem finding neutrals at any season.

Very bright colors with lots of yellow in them don’t seem to do anything for me, so I have a feeling this spring may be slim pickings as far as shopping is concerned. That’s probably not a bad thing, since I am keeping to a strict budget this year.

January 28, 2009 at 3:07 pm

Esther

Great topic! (I’ve been following this blog for a while but have never posted.)

I’m one of those “not sure if I have a signature color” individuals. There are certainly colors that I gravitate towards but to this day, I’m still not certain of the most flattering colors on me. Please help:

I have a fair-medium Oriental complexion with dark dark brown-black hair and very dark brown eyes. I feel that navy is a fail-safe option for me but otherwise, I’ve been under the impression, along the years, that deep, saturated colors are my best bet and that I should stay away from overly pale, washed out tones. Is this correct?

Thanks a million!

January 28, 2009 at 3:49 pm

Marlene

(website)

I do have some signature colors and feel ripped off when they are not available in the stores…so I DO tend to stock up whenever they appear. And I have noticed that each year, the colors tend to be a little different….purples are different shades each year for example….so I instead of settling for the “wrong” purple, I will wait another season and hope the “right” purples show up in the stores. My signature colors are purples, fuschia, teals and cobalt blue. I wear them as a pop against my neutrals.

January 28, 2009 at 7:19 pm

Kristers

Anything in the teal or acqua family, periwinkle [dark or light] and that great apple green that’s so popular right now… Also coming in this spring is the sunny banana yellow, which I will also be stocking up on for those yellow famine years.

January 28, 2009 at 7:25 pm

Mary

(website)

The first time I read anything about this I was challenged to think of what would complement my eyes. It made me think about color in a whole new way!!

January 28, 2009 at 7:51 pm

Johanna

Garnet, violet blue (range from peri to lavender), plum, fuschia and aqua. All of which have those funky “J. Crew” names if you want to get all technical!

These accent the neutrals.

Many work with charcoal and black. I find that “discount” YLF is challenging wrt basics. Brown seems to be the big trickle down, black a little less and charcoal is rare, it usually ends up being lighter gray.

So, basics are basic, with a dash of my faves. I am strict with myself so I don’t run around looking like blueberry or a Golden Girl.

I snapped up a lot of the violets that were out over the last couple of years. Basics are basics.

January 29, 2009 at 1:11 am

eliza

Interesting idea, which makes me think I should buy all the electric blue I can find before it goes out of fashion. Glad to hear turquoise is on the way back.

I very much enjoy changing colors in fashion, and I’m not particularly bothered if it’s “this year’s color” or not. Instead, I seem to work with color systems which change with the season. Purple hues, from violet to aubergine, contrasted with khaki, olive green and golden tones, have featured strongly in recent winters, while in summer I’ve been going for primary accents against black, navy and white. Grey is chic at any time of year, with sometimes room for a dusty pink here and there.

The only color I have real problem with is brown. I wore it to school every weekday for seven years, and it was quite enough to last a lifetime.

January 29, 2009 at 8:23 am

Chris

I love jewel tones and I do tend to lean towards mixing with black and grey as the neutral. Being a fair, green eyed brunette I occasionally mix in browns and autumn tones (burnt orange, muted brick) but those are not the outfits I love.

I think what is most important is finding something that works on you and makes you feel more confidant. Confidence and a smile seem to win over the latest trends.

January 29, 2009 at 10:03 am

Sarah

Like Lidna, I’m not so sure colors can go out of style. Some are popular each year, but most colors are not considered unstylish at any particular time, that I’ve noticed anyway. Sometimes it seems that each store has its own color scheme each season anyway. My favorites are turquoise, army or olive green (very close to my eye color), most shades of red, almost any shade of blue (except powder blue), light yellow and some bright yellows, a burnt orange that is nearing red, just the right shade of dusty rose and some paste pinks. There are really only two shades of pink that look good on me, so if I find them I typically buy them. My sister seems to look good in all shades of pink, and it is definitely her signature color, but not mine. My favorites at the moment are red and turquoise. My worst colors are fuchsia, citron, mustard yellow, and any dark colors except reds and navy blue. Great on others, but awful on me.

January 29, 2009 at 10:48 am

Laura

It seems like the “classic” colors almost always have a “shade,” in any season, that you can follow (or at least try!). I read this interesting article on the secret influence of color, which discusses how to wear each color for its “influences” on others (i.e., if you want to appear serious, sophisticated, youthful, tranquil). Hopefully what you want to convey happens to coincide with what looks good on you … AND what color is out in the stores for you each season! Gosh, the things we study for beauty! : )

February 2, 2009 at 5:30 pm

Kelly

I love turquoise and am soooooo happy it’s making a comeback. This Nic & Zoe top is my fave right now. I just bought it last week, received it yesterday, and am wearing it today! It’s perfect!

February 10, 2009 at 12:54 pm

mamaKate

Veteran

Color is perhaps my favorite variable to play with in my style. I remember reading “Color Me Beautiful” when I was in…about 7th grade, and since then I have identified the “fall” palette as the one with particular appeal. I just don’t buy the blue-toned colors that don’t seem to work for me.

That said, the colors that are in my wardrobe are:
-olive
-red-browns
-orange-reds, especially coral
-deep, royal blue
-pumpkin and most other shades of orange
-eggplant / plum
-some lime greens
-some fuschias

I was quite surprised to see the number of other responders with similar colors!

My best neutrals are browns, although I have not been able to avoid some grey and black. Although of a very extensive wardrobe, I find it interesting that I own only one pair of black trousers (not including black leggings).

I have none of the following:
-classic blues (light or dark, except jeans)
-classic greens (light or dark)
-yellows
-lavender and most other purples

The net effect of sticking to such a strict set of colors is that I can’t stick to a budget of $x per month (or per season) because, as Angie says, I end up needing to “stock up” when “my” colors are in-season, and then go several seasons in color drought. C’est la vie!

December 5, 2010 at 10:03 pm

Darleen

Active Member

I agree totally with this blog. No matter what colors are in, a person will always look better, and feel better in the colors that work with their skin, hair and eye colors.
I could never figure out why, when as a summer, light camel was not supposed to work for me. I have liked it, worn it, and received compliments about it my entire 70+ life. Recently I found a book, that helps you pick your colors according to time of day…sunrise, sunlight, sunset. “More Alive with Color”. In there it shows that as a “summer”,(or sunlight) I do well with many softer colors, both cool and soft warmer, ie: camel beige. It is the color of my hair, and it works wonderful with the denim blue of my eyes, and the soft pinky color of my skin. The whole color pallette makes much more sense.
So my go to colors for my entire life have been dusty blues, softer teals (also works with my eyes and hair) beiges and camels, medium pinks and corals when fashion has them available, navy, off white, and a shot of red if I feel in the mood. Also a dusty green is good. I have always felt “in your face” wearing jewel colors (except some royal blues), and now I know why. So I do, and have for many yeas, like Angie suggests, buy a lot when my colors are in style, and some seasons, buy almost nothing. When I have succumbed to fashion, I usually find the purchase is a closet user, and seldom wear it.
I have most of my life, sewn, which makes clothing choices much easier. (Also makes fitting much easier.) But finding the right fabric colors when they aren’t in style is also hard, so I have my stash, which saves the season. I wear a total of 13 colors (some slight variations of each) all year, and all my friends comment on the huge wardrobe I have, but it is because everything goes with everything else.

November 13, 2013 at 9:33 am

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