https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:33:02 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-607484 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:36:13 +0000 L'Abeille 607484@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the link, Tarz y. That was really interesting.</p> <p> I also tried the test that Diana linked to and I scored 12 (pretty good). If you go further it shows you which colours you had the most trouble with and surprisingly all of mine were in the blues. Surprising to me because blue has always been "my" colour so you'd think I'd be best at those nuances.</p> <p> I'm one who subscribes to the Colour Seasons theory but maybe for me it was really straightforward. I loved blue as a child then was seduced by the psychedelic oranges and yellows of the 60s and then the earth tones of the 70s even when my mirror said I looked better in old blue jeans and a white sweatshirt.</p> <p> Once I read the book (in one sitting), it was all obvious. I get the most compliments in black, white, red, or royal blue. (Compliments include people assuming I am well rested.) Which makes me a Winter.</p> <p> So guess what my closet now looks like. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-607427 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 18:48:05 +0000 tarzy 607427@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>AG - I agree, this can be quite confusing! I totally agree with those who have said that it can be hard to see these things just looking at a color in isolation.</p> <p>I find visuals help me, so I found this chart very helpful.</p> <p>The top two rows are "cool" greys, the next two rows are "warm" greys. They are all grey, but have different undertones. I hope this helps a bit!</p> <p><a href="http://12blueprints.com/choosing-the-best-grey/" rel="nofollow">http://12blueprints.com/choosing-the-best-grey/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-607333 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 17:26:08 +0000 Vix 607333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Re those palette examples I posted: Cocolion -- hey, you're absolutely right about which ones have more clarity! </p> <p>I actually find it's easy to mix warm and cool colors that have the same clarity, but tougher to do as anything but an accent if one color is much more "present," shall we say.</p> <p>Colors absolutely shift depending on their context (other colors around them). However, while I believe there are no ugly colors I find (subjective, yes) there are some jarring combinations.</p> <p>I also think that many, many people have skintones that look great in (relatively) balanced warm-cool shades..."neutral color-colors or neutral-neutrals." </p> <p>Those of us whose skin reacts more strongly to warm or cool shades have to proceed with caution when wearing them near our skin if we're trying to go for optimal flattery. </p> <p>Me, I need coooool shades that aren't too bright and aren't too deep/dark/blackened. </p> <p>Have I successfully worn and loved warmer shades like bright olive, "camo green," cognac, and orange in pants/skirts or accessories? Yes. Do I think the shades looked awesome with many of my cool blues, purples, and browns? Yes. But I couldn't just wear *anything* from my "regular" closet o' cools.</p> <p>If you'll indulge my non-fashion example -- </p> <p>* Have been living in a fixer-upper for 11 years. Original house colors all fairly muted cool-toned ones. Knew rainy climate meant I wanted to repaint in warmer shades. </p> <p>* When trim paint needed extensive repairs in spots, started that process with marigold trim despite knowing it would look awful next to muted lavender-mauve body color but great next to other existing blueberry yogurt trim shade. </p> <p>* Wasn't supposed to live with clash long -- but lived with it for years, hating it every time I saw it. ;)</p> <p>* Now have new body color on front that's a warm neutral (brownish-green, greenish-brown). It works well with very warm marigold and cooler blueberry. And I love walking up to it.</p> <p>Fun fact: neighbors thought the blue paint was new -- because in CONTEXT against the greeney-brown it "pops" much more than it did against the mauve. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-607200 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 14:41:53 +0000 Angie 607200@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I take colour seriously, but am not a fan of the whole "having your colours done" thing. It's just too limiting - AND, you cannot see colours in isolation. That's my biggest gripe with the whole concept.</p> <p>However:</p> <p>- It's a good starting point if you are clueless</p> <p>- People definitely look best in certain shades of a colour so having a sense of what looks best is a great idea</p> <p>Like Jonesy said, and I am so with her, you need to understand the concept - take from it what you can work with - ask someone if you don't know (like the forum) - and continue to have fun with fashion. </p> <p>I see no point in never purchasing a colour that you love, that is supposedly not your best, because it will mess up your wardrobe capsules. Where is the fun in that? Buy the new colour and start building a capsule that works for you. For example, orange is not my best colour, but I like it! So I'm cautiously adding it into my wardrobe and wearing it with shades that are no brainers for my complexion. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-607083 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 05:18:24 +0000 christieanne 607083@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It really depends if you like complementary tones together (which harmonizes) or contrasting (which often makes the items stand out more against each other). I agree with Jonesy on the rules thing. SO much depends on lighting anyway! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-607066 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 04:47:38 +0000 AJ 607066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm STILL confused!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-606908 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:02:30 +0000 catgirl 606908@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh, I KNEW you all would have something to say about this! I am so glad to have the links and pictures here (Jonesy, Vix and others who clearly have a handle or viewpoint on this issue) and I would like to learn it myself, even if I don't always put it to use. </p> <p>Glad to see I'm not the only one whose head is spinning! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-606906 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:59:45 +0000 Jonesy 606906@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think this stuff is sort of like style rules: You can take what is useful and makes sense for you, and then try not to sweat the stuff that doesn't work at all! For me, I have a certain sense about what colors work with what other colors (and this is pretty subjective, of course), but I don't really buy into the whole "I can wear this particular shade of off-white, but not ivory" sort of thing--it just seems too limiting to me. I watched one of the video links (from insideoutstyle maybe?) and once she started talking about the particular whites of her eyes allowing her to wear certain whites, I must admit that *my* eyes started to glaze over a bit :).</p> <p>Also, sometimes it's fun to sort of play around with different colors that aren't really "supposed" to work together, and see if you can get them to. Someone like Miuccia Prada, for example, will pair a cool icy mint with a warm rust, or do other somewhat unorthodox pairings. It's part of her whole ugly-beautiful thing and one of her signatures, and I think she makes it work wonderfully (examples, below, from her fall RTW 2003 collection, where she is riffing on different color combos that people might not typically pair together). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida/page/2#post-606904 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:55:42 +0000 Kiwichik 606904@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Whew lieing down &amp; having a cuppa now! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606858 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 01:12:28 +0000 Jaime 606858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Una for this thread! I am dizzy but will slowly work through the posts and links and try to figure this out. Definitely does not come easily! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606814 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:27:49 +0000 nicoleb 606814@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting read ladies! I'm not an expert on colors (loved the Gala Darling link.) i just know my skin has a cool undertone. But as far as cool neutrals go? Eh...I didn't even know there was a warm grey! I did know about browns however... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606805 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:16:58 +0000 Sveta 606805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, the problem with colors that almost always they exist in a context. The grey which looks cool against yellow may look warm against blue for example. It is all relative :-)<br /> So back to your picture: cardigan and top both have cool side to them but top is warmer than the cardigan - if it makes sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606798 Sun, 29 Apr 2012 00:10:56 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 606798@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am probably wrong since I have a lot of trouble with color but I think it is cool. The sweater is burgundy which is the closest to blue of the reds which makes it a cool red and the top appears to have a pink undertone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606792 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:47:31 +0000 Mo 606792@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Okay, riddle me this - is this look warm or cool? I honestly don't know!</p> <p>I think it's cool? (toned that is lol) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606788 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:26:13 +0000 Transcona Shannon 606788@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My head hurts just reading through all of this! Need to go back and start again... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606786 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 23:22:53 +0000 christieanne 606786@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>There are definite differences once you lay out multiple items of same color family - sometimes when you try to pair things in your closet and there seems to be this slight off-harmony in the colors, it might be you are pairing warm with cool and it does not seem right.<br /> If you look at makeup colors it might help. I have green eyes which a lot of people think are naturally a cool shade but mine have a lot of gold. If I wear a warm color eyeshadow like a warm bronze or taupe, it is complementary to the eyes and balances out my eyes within the face. If I wear a cool tone such a cool grey or blue, it enhances the contrast between eyes and shadow and makes my eyes stand out more.<br /> There are definite cools and warms in cosmetics. I learned to swatch against a white tissue or paper to look for the undertone.</p> <p>That might confuse you more but it's how I initially learned the warm vs cool thing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606746 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:22:22 +0000 Mo 606746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I found I simply can't over think these things. I have to just go with gut reaction as to what seems to work for me. I *think* cool tones work on me, but what do I know?!? I think moving from brown neutral based to black neutral based has meant I'm shifting from warm to cool? I think. lol </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606723 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:53:14 +0000 CocoLion 606723@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Looking at Vix's examples, my overall impression is --<br /> picture 1 -- muddy undertones<br /> pictures 2-3-4 -- more clarity in colors<br /> picture 5 -- muddy undertones</p> <p>I have attached no value to these observations (what is good or bad). I must have bad eyes or be color blind! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606709 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:02:15 +0000 Sveta 606709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I did the test too and got 0 - perfect! Woo-hoo! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606704 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:44:00 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 606704@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just redid the rest and scored 19. The results showed where in the spectrum you are deficient and almost every one for me was in the blue/green range. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606699 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:34:58 +0000 Sveta 606699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you want to understand undertones in compound neutral colors like grey and beige you can read Maria Killam's blog:<br /> <a href="http://www.mariakillam.com/blog" rel="nofollow">http://www.mariakillam.com/blog</a><br /> Even though it is interior design blog colors are colors either in fashion or interior design. She is a real pro when it comes to these subtle undertones and has several very good blog posts on this subject. They helped me a lot to understand it.<br /> According to Maria there is more than just cool vs warm neutrals. For example beige can have pink, green or yellow undertone and usually they do not work together. Grey can have purple, blue and green undertones as well. Often you cannot really see them until you compare these colors to others - then this undertone thing is quite apparent. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606698 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:33:22 +0000 Diana 606698@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What Angie said. In addition to comparing different neutral tones to each other, I use my skin (a warm nude/tan) as a base to compare other neutrals.</p> <p>You guys might find this hue test interesting too (it's with colors, not neutrals, but sort of the same idea)... I got a perfect score when I took it a while ago!</p> <p><a href="http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77" rel="nofollow">http://www.xrite.com/custom_page.aspx?PageID=77</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606696 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:31:52 +0000 Vix 606696@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mostly photos vs words (assume they were taken at the same time in the same lighting conditions, could be wrong).</p> <p>Arranged to help see the difference as you flip between two photos....</p> <p>Very warm in True Autumn vs very cool in True Winter vs Warm and Bright in True Spring</p> <p>Cool/Warm Balanced (so Neutral neutrals) in Light Summer vs more cool in True Summer</p> <p>Hope that helps a bit!</p> <p>From Elea Blake cosmetics (thought palettes were developed by others): <a href="http://pinterest.com/eleablake/" rel="nofollow">http://pinterest.com/eleablake/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606694 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:25:39 +0000 Claudia 606694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, do you happen to have a paint swatch fan/book, like from Benjamin Moore? It would be so simple to show you cool and warm neutrals side by side if you did. You could see different brown, tans, grays that are so clearly cool (green/blue/purple) influenced and those that are warm (red/yellow/orange) influenced. And those that are pure neutrals that don't lean one way or the other. Seeing the neutrals all next to and in relation to each other would make it so easy to visualize and understand.</p> <p>I thought it would be really easy to find a simple visual but it isn't. I've been on youtube and art forums looking for something clear and simple. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606691 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:18:46 +0000 Anonymous 606691@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I . don't. get . it.<br /> I am going back to re read this entire thing!<br /> Thank you so much for asking this question Una!</p> <p>ETA: See, for me, the Fryes Jonesy posted have a warmer undertone and the grey bag Angie posted is neither cool or warm but neutral.</p> <p>Conclusion: I am color blind. That's why I don't do grey:( </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606689 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:14:06 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 606689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting. I didn't think adding black or white to a color changed the hue and that it was the hue that made it either warm or cool. I thought black/white just made it a tint or shade but the underlying color be it warm or cool remained the same. </p> <p>I need to do some research. I clearly don't get the color terminology or the colors. I thought the sweater look like it had a gold undertone and the shoes are yellow to me. But then I did a color test and perfect was 0 and the highest score was 100. I got around 40. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606688 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:07:18 +0000 Angie 606688@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ha! Jonesy. We posted at the same time. Nice pics </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606687 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:06:22 +0000 Jonesy 606687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You also have to figure in differences in monitors too :).</p> <p>Una, you get that a taupe is a very cool beige, meaning it has lots of gray in it (see example in pic 1--I guess the model forgot her pants)? Sometimes a taupe is so cool that it's up for grabs whether it's really taupe or gray. For example, I ordered a pair of Frye boots once that were called gray. When I got them I thought they were actually taupe (boots in pic 2). You can see how much cooler they are than the walnut floors. </p> <p>So contrast a taupe with a warm beige that's almost a wheat color (pic 3). This is almost a golden color, very different from the taupe, no? These different neutrals work to different degrees with different colors. For example, I can see pairing taupe with cool, icy blues or mints, but the wheat wouldn't look as good, IMHO. There is also a BIG subjective element here--people see colors and cool vs. warm tones very differently. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606686 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 20:03:56 +0000 Angie 606686@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yeah, I thought this might come up :)</p> <p>The second grey is RELATIVELY warmer to the cooler toned version (it is on my screen). *That's* what you have to understand in order to really get things. You cannot see the hues in isolation. </p> <p>Sure, tomato red is warmer than burgundy red - that's an obvious one without a relative comparison. But in order to really get it, you must be able to distinguish relative subtleties between tones that look very similar. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/cool-vs-warm-tones-in-neutrals---who-gets-it-besides-aida#post-606684 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 19:55:16 +0000 cheryle (Dianthus) 606684@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad you posted that Modgirl. I also thought the bag was a cool grey. It looks almost winter white to me.</p> <p>I understand the color theory but have a lot of trouble figuring out the undertone in the neutrals. If I could tell by looking at it whether it had a yellow/orange base or a blue/green base, I'd be set but I haven't developed that skill. </p>