Greyed colours, or what we used to call “dirty colours” back in the ‘90s when I was a retail buyer, are colours that have been dulled with the addition of grey and black. The visual result is a more muted colour than the original. They are the opposite of clean, clear, bright and crisp colours. Greyed colours can be pastel, mid-tone, or dark.
Here are some examples. Some tones are more grey than others.
Some of my clients, friends and family members wear greyed colours to perfection. For them, these are among their best, most flattering and favourite colours. They are the dirtiest whites, greens, purples, pinks, and blues. So much so that I want to give the colour a scrub to clean it up. Yet as soon as these people put them on, magic happens. It works beautifully with their complexion and hair colour
I’ve noticed that those who wear greyed colours well tend to also wear cool-toned colours well. Many wear greys and silvers well too. Some have grey or salt and pepper hair to complement the grey in these muted colours. Others have red, black, or brown hair. Some have rosy pink cheeks, and some don’t. Their skin tones and eye colour range from light to dark.
Personally, I don’t gravitate to grey or greyed colours, and I don’t wear them well. I have a very old seafoam leather jacket that I keep because hubs Greg likes it, but it’s not that flattering. I wear it with sour brights to make it look better against my complexion. I look best in warm, clean, clear, and crisp colours. Although I wear a cool optical white, rich red burgundy, and cold dark navy well too. Solid pastels look better on me when they are saturated and not as watery. And the blush pinks in my wardrobe all have a bit of acidity to them.
Over to you. Do you like greyed colours, and do you wear them well?
