https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:12:41 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season/page/2#post-423371 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 01:12:07 +0000 Suz 423371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Steph, your experience sounds similar to mine; mostly, it was an affirmation of my instincts. For example, when she asked me to bring out my makeup (which I hadn't worn for the draping) she said, "Wow, those colours are perfect for you." And it turns out that the colours I generally feel drawn to (to wear) really were the ones that best suited me. But one bonus was being reminded that I could also wear others that had somehow slipped past my radar. Not because I didn't like them, but I just never thought of them. </p> <p>She had also asked me to bring along a few items I owned that were "questionable" in my mind. So I did. One was a patterned dress with navy, green, and mustard yellow. Although it really fit mostly in the autumn palette, the dress works on me because of the navy, which is dominant. There isn't as much of the mustard, and it works nicely with my hair. Another top I brought (also a pattern) had bright, clear red, a vivid pink, orange, and a yellowy cream in it. It also manages to look good on me—when I have a bit of a tan, that is. Not without. But the red and the pink sort of cancel the orange and yellow and altogether it works. </p> <p>I liked that reminder that we don't have to stick rigidly to the "system," but can use our own best instincts once we've trained our eyes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season/page/2#post-423363 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:52:29 +0000 Steph 423363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I became color obsessed about a year ago. I'm not really sure why--I think just boredom more than anything else, because I have always had a strong idea of what colors look good on me. But I guess I wanted to characterize myself. I was draped (aka "had my colors done") a few months ago by someone who is considered one of the best of the best. She uses a 12 tone system, and the process was fascinating. I actually looked really good in the colors from six of the 12 seasons--all the warm and warm-neutral seasons. All of the cool seasons were obviously wrong. At the end of the day, I ended up as a True (or Warm) Spring. It's interesting because most people who look at me assume I'm a soft--and Mo, we do have similar coloring, although your hair is lighter than mine--but I wasn't. And that was good, because I never gravitated toward those colors at all. In the end, my instincts from my whole life were always on point. </p> <p>So having said all that, Kafe, if you really do always gravitate toward cool colors, my guess is you would be one of the cool seasons. I can't see your photos anymore, but I do think we tend to have a color instinct. If you really like muted colors, maybe soft summer? Although even cool (true) summer is muted. </p> <p>The book I have seen recommended many times is this one: <a href="http://12blueprints.com/understanding-your-color-a-guide-to-personal-color-analysis/" rel="nofollow">http://12blueprints.com/unders.....-analysis/</a> Actually, at entire website is pretty interesting, and there is a very interesting Facebook page where people discuss color and their seasons with the same name as the website. Some people take it VERY seriously and will never wear anything that isn't exactly in their palette. My draping experience taught me that pretty much anything warm looked good, so I don't worry nearly as much. (And I still wear cool colors as well!) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423066 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 17:06:41 +0000 Suz 423066@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Astrid, the thing that might have confused your consultant is your hair. Some people believe all red heads must be autumns. And I have some warmth in my hair, too, yet am predominantly cool. (Yes, my hair is chemically enhanced, these days, but I was born with reddish blonde hair, not ash blonde; it turned ashier later but always retained some copper bits as well as gold and silvery golden brown.) </p> <p>What I liked about my consultant was that she wasn't doctrinaire. She said that it's her feeling that our personalities also play a big role. One reason I can wear some of spring's clearer colours is my smile, the way I move, etc. She said I give off an impression of energy. And I can wear black and higher contrasts with my blonde hair now but may have to pull back from that when my hair is completely silver. </p> <p>With your warm smile and hair, you might also be able to pull off certain warm colours or some brights. </p> <p>Kafe, I think we're all agreed that you are soft, whether summer or autumn perhaps is less important since there is overlap! So now you can happily shop! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423049 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:40:03 +0000 Mo 423049@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kafe, glad you got all figured out!! Happy color shopping! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423040 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:26:17 +0000 Kafe 423040@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One last question.... Is there a good book for what colors to wear? It would be nice and handy to have a book to refer to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423033 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:19:48 +0000 Astrid 423033@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No problem! I love color and I love figuring it all out... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423028 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:17:02 +0000 Kafe 423028@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Elly, thank you too. I seem to have missed your post in between all my postings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423027 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:15:41 +0000 Kafe 423027@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Astrid! You have been super helpful. I will try another color from this palette. I'm hearing this means I should go shopping soon. ; )</p> <p>Thank you everyone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423022 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:11:51 +0000 Astrid 423022@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, that sounds about right! Maybe you can try to find another color from the soft autumn palette the next time you're shopping? Could be worth a try. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423016 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:07:40 +0000 Kafe 423016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Astrid, yes, I think you are right. In fact, the three colors on the top far right are where I tend to concentrate when picking clothes these days. And maybe this is why I think some olive greens look ok on me too. At least, I think. Many greens, being opposite on the color wheel, make my skin look too red. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423008 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:03:16 +0000 Astrid 423008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kafe, the color of the first pic is a part of Soft autumn. First row, second to the right, no?</p> <p>Suz, very interesting. I had it done too, but she was a bit unsure. I think soft summer is right though.</p> <p>Edit: Elly that's great, now you have a name for it! I think the 12 categories really make much more sense. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423006 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:02:09 +0000 Kafe 423006@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you Suz. I'm guessing my veins look bluish, from what I can see of my almost non-existent visible veins. It would help to compare my veins to others to really tell. Ewww.... just talking about veins grosses me out.</p> <p>For now I will make sure I bring a family member shopping with me so I can get a yea or nay from them on colors. They are quite handy that way.</p> <p>Sales people just want to make a sale so I can't depend on them. Once one tried to convince me a hideous yellow looked good on me.... even I could see it was awful. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423004 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:00:43 +0000 Elly 423004@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think that this is about picking out your strongest characteristics and then realizing that some of us can wear from more than one palette. For example, I always had problems with more traditional approaches, because they often ask you to chose whether you look better in salmon or fuchsia/magenta or silver/gold or they do the same with teal or medium blues. I could never get this right, since salmon, magenta, teal, and medium blue, gold and silver are all some of my favorite colors on me. On one hand I have both red and dark ashy tones in my hair and both warm and grey eyes. I have very pale skin, but it actually has olive undertones. The system that Astrid posted is the first one that ever made sense for me. It was pretty easy to narrow down that I was a deep (dark hair, dark eyes-- high contrast). Then I looked carefully at the colors and the celebs they list for warm (autumn) or winter in those palettes. Although I do wear a few of the deep winter colors well and even a few of the warm autumn colors, the deep autumn palette has pretty much every color I look great in. I was shocked-- and it also help explained not liking dusty colors and how versatile my own coloring can be. I look equally good in black, white, and ivory-- which is often another old-fashioned color test. </p> <p>Kafe-- I really think you are a soft. Based on your own color preferences you seem to be leaning toward soft autumn-- but I do think it is hard to tell from pictures. I think it depends on what shades of pink you like on yourself. I am warm and blue-based hot, pale, bubblegum pinks look like doggie doo on me, but the warmer salmon pinks and very intense deep pinks look good. On me, pink and purple were the colors that really helped me sort out cool palettes from warm ones. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-423000 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:52:12 +0000 Suz 423000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Those who have a strong colour sense can probably go by their own impulses. But I had my colours "done" even though I think I'm pretty good on colour, and I found it an interesting and useful experience. </p> <p>First of all, it's even hard for trained professionals, sometimes, because so many variables come into play. The system is based mainly on skin tone and eye colour. To be really strict about picking your "season" you need to get your hair off your face and covered. But then again, hair colour DOES influence what looks best on us. And skin can be more or less tan, depending on the season and our use of sunscreen and time outdoors (or not). Or we might look paler due to recent illness. </p> <p>The person who pegged me had a really tough time. When I first came in (sans makeup but with a light tan) and some rather too-coppery highlights, she thought I might be autumn. Then she put yellow next to my skin and we both almost threw up! </p> <p>Then, given my low contrast appearance, she figured I might be a soft summer. But no. The softer, paler versions of summer's colours washed me totally out and I could take SOME of spring's bright, true tones pretty well (but not all). In the end she called me a cool summer, and gave me some colours from the cool wallet and some from the spring wallet (mostly turquoises and a clear red, which I can pull off). She also told me that I was right in my assumption that I can get away with some black; it's not ideal, but it's not as bad on me as it would be on a warmer complected pale-skinned person. </p> <p>In an earlier thread on this some people said that your choice of decor colours often indicates your personal "season." But I prefer warm colours in my home. So that doesn't wash too well. </p> <p>Kafe, it is really tough to tell from the pictures you've shown; you are looking for the skin's undertones, and how colours reflect against the face. Greenish veins usually indicate warm toned skin; blue veins a cooler look. </p> <p>But you are probably a "soft" or "muted" and perhaps that is your dominant characteristic. Those people are hardest of all to classify. I am guessing you are on the cool side but I could be wrong. </p> <p>Mo, are you usually a bit tanned in your photos? You might be a muted summer or autumn and can probably wear colours from both those seasons pretty well. Wow, you have such beautiful eyes, and they look so stunning with that shirt! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422997 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:51:20 +0000 Kafe 422997@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ok, I added white to the color and, yes, this color would look good on me. It's funny how pinks are not my favorite color but one of the colors that looks good on me.</p> <p>Photo 1 - yes.<br /> Photo 2 - no </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422996 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:46:18 +0000 Kafe 422996@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Astrid, I think the intensity mostly. I'm having a hard time seeing how it would look more muted to know how it would look on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422995 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:46:06 +0000 Astrid 422995@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think you're a cool summer, because cool summer is totally lacking yellow. If you like the polyvore peach and burnt orange you're not a cool summer. Have you read that it's common to flow between a soft summer and a soft autumn palette? You may have to pick your best colors from both. Have you done the gold silver test? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422991 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:43:06 +0000 Kafe 422991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I need ideas on what other colors to get besides the peach and burnt oranges that I seem to be racking up since I discovered that color range looks good on me. I have the potential of being a one-trick-pony in peaches.</p> <p>I'm thinking narrowing down to a season will help. It's good I've discovered muted tones are good so I will stay away from brights and, sadly, black. Black is so good with everything that I like it and wear it. But maybe no more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422989 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:41:09 +0000 Astrid 422989@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Kafe, would the bright free people one look awful because of the tone or because of the intesety? This one isn't muted either, so that may influence your reaction.</p> <p>Mo, I'm trying to figure something out, but you're right, it's not clear-cut. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422987 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:38:41 +0000 Mo 422987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>thanks Do you have trouble finding what colors flatter you? Or are you just curious as to labeling a season for guidance in trying new colors? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422983 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:36:07 +0000 Kafe 422983@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally not a help, Mo, but I love how your shirt matches your eyes. You have beautiful green eyes! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422980 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:34:27 +0000 Mo 422980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I was about to ask if you'd figured yours out! I'm flummoxed as well! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422979 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:33:58 +0000 Kafe 422979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmmmm..... I came up with "soft autumn," "soft summer," and "cool summer." </p> <p>This is really tough to nail down! I see I am not alone. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422977 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:31:51 +0000 Mo 422977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Makes sense, Astrid! I do know I prefer stronger jewel tones over faded out ones and purple, red, cobalt and green dominate the closet these days I rarely post face pics, but here's a goofy one with a mouth full of mudslide 2 summers ago. I figure being out in direct sunlight is the best indicator of true coloring.</p> <p>EDIT: also I think our hair changes (dark over winter for me) make a huge difference as seen here last Mother's day </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422971 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:28:21 +0000 Astrid 422971@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mo, I personally think that's perfectly alright. You don't have to know your season as long as you know what suits you. I'm the type that fits a category and it helped me to buy better colors for me, because I didn't have a feel for colors at all.</p> <p>It makes sense that you couldn't wear the two blues and the purple in the cool closet, because they probably aren't soft enough for you. These two closest don't make a difference between muted and bright, they work only in the four seasons system. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422963 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:21:50 +0000 Mo 422963@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I tried but couldn't nail down anything with those links! Guess I'm just an all season gal ha ha. I suppose it doesn't really matter as long as I know the colors I like and that look good on me [shrug]. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422959 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:16:58 +0000 Kafe 422959@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Astrid! I am trying to figure this out with your links. It's hard for me to differentiate between colors I love (which would be all fall colors) and colors that look good on me. </p> <p>I *love* the warm colored polyvore closet. </p> <p>In the cool color set: the purple of the purse would look bad on me, I think. The darker blues would look good on me but the two brighter blues on the bottom two rows would look not as good. As for the reds there.... I don't know, probably because I don't particularly like that red.</p> <p>In the warm color set: Yellows look bad on me. The warmer greens might be too warm. The oranges, being all cooler warms, would look good, I think.</p> <p>As for the shirt's you linked to: the polyvore one would look good, the bright free people one would look awful.</p> <p>Hmmmm..... maybe I will need to rethink that black sweater I was looking at.</p> <p>I'm going to do the 12 categories right now...... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422943 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:00:10 +0000 Astrid 422943@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Celia! Zoe, glad I could help. </p> <p>I had one thing I forgot to say above. You said you wanted to get a black sweater and only winter, deep autumn and clear spring can wear black well. When you're soft and muted, black normally isn't the thing for you. I would try to avoid it near the face. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422887 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:50:23 +0000 Zoe 422887@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh Astrid! Thanks for the link. I've never been able to figure this out before but that info was terrific! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/help-picking-my-color-season#post-422869 Thu, 15 Sep 2011 13:18:45 +0000 celia 422869@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Astrid has this down to an art :)<br /> I have a dificult time pinpointing my 'season' because if for the most part I'm a 'Autumn' I cannot wear very warm colors or very warm color combinations.<br /> What I found out is that if there is a color I know for sure it suits me( for me is a warmer teal) usually the colors that go with it or have the same kind of deepness also suits me.</p> <p>ETA: I had asked in the other post if the color would suit you , and it surely does </p>