https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:23:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-230574 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 02:27:43 +0000 Kate 230574@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's worth mentioning that following color analysis can make it MUCH easier to mix and match clothes. Autumn colors tend to work with other autumn colors, so by sticking to these earthy tones I have a lot more options when putting outfits together. There are definitely exceptions, but it has certainly simplified things for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-230505 Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:20:53 +0000 taylor 230505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with Jean. I am quite familiar with the color wheel and I mix hair color using my learned knowledge, then add a healthy dose of gut and visual expertise. NO hard fast rules here.<br /> Change your foundation by adding yellow. or pink, change your haircolor...guess what... you are a different season.. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-230336 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:45:53 +0000 greenglove 230336@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>WOW!!!<br /> So many interesting color theory essays.<br /> I will not bore you (or myself) with mine.<br /> I deal with color all day most days much like Angie deals with fashion.<br /> In the end it is all about experimenting and developing a color sensitivity and aesthetic for yourself. I think almost anything can work if you mix things up in the right amounts.<br /> Everything depends on everything else. Complicated? Yes and no. I think most people can sense their best colors. (With the exception of some very uninterested males that I know) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-230266 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 18:36:57 +0000 Steph 230266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I'll take a crack at explaining what you're coming across. The only real way to know what category someone falls within is to actually see how their skin/eyes/face "reacts" to certain colors. There are actually professionals who do this by putting different colored drapes on a person, to see which colors brighten that person's look. Based on that, they determine what category they fall into. </p> <p>So I think that part of the issue with seeing celebrities who don't seem to fall within the category someone gave them is that the "expert" who did so really has no idea how that person would look if draped in different colors, and is therefore just taking her best guess on what category that celebrity falls within. There is a similar problem when we try to categorize ourselves. All of these charts point to hair, skin and eye color, but at the end of the day, those are just rules of thumb, and the only real way to know what category you are is to test out the colors and see which work best. </p> <p>This is why I think a lot of us feel we don't need color typing: we naturally choose the colors that brighten us up and look best on us. So maybe for someone like you, it makes better sense to look at what colors you feel are your best, and work backward from there. I see that you did that, and found that you hit three different categories. That also makes sense, because a lot of these categories are hybrids and kind of "flow" between each other, so someone who is a deep winter, for example, should be able to wear some colors that are good for deep autumn. </p> <p>I think that another issue is the whole warm/cool thing. Some categories actually aren't really "warm" or "cool" at all, but are actually more neutral. I know that the soft categories are like this, and I believe that the deep ones are as well. So that could explain why people who appear to be warm are falling into the cool categories. I have also read several places that say that olive-toned skin is neither warm nor cool, making it more difficult to categorize. I do agree that these categories are far more difficult to apply to people who aren't Caucasian. It often seems like people of color are just an afterthought. I'm actually having a lot of the same problems categorizing myself that you are. I'm okay with it because I feel pretty confident in the clothing colors I wear, but I would really love to have more direction with makeup, so I continue to play with it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-230212 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 17:31:08 +0000 CarlyQuinn 230212@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love color and always have...and even though most color theories type me as an autumn, i look awful in warm colors. can't wear gold, yellows, oranges, or most browns either. I've never liked those colors in anything, and once I realized they look bad on me I figured I just instinctively shy away from them no matter what form they're in.<br /> I've got dark brown hair, but it's definitely got reddish highlights, not ashy ones. Dark Hazel eyes...I also usually have to buy one of the lightest ivories made when buying foundation, even though I don't feel like I look that pale. I tend to wear cool colors, like a true or blue-red. orange red is a definite NOT. i love jewel tones and black. I've tried to play around with color theory many times, have done many searches and looked through tons of websites and have never come up with a clear answer, I don't seem to match any of the modifiers. (clear, soft, deep) too bad they don't have a 'blah' category </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-230104 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:48:58 +0000 Lisa 230104@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm clueless about color theories. I try to select colors that make me happy and brighten my face. And I try to pay more attention to the warmth of the color than the color iteself. (ie I'll wear a cool red but a warm red doesn't flatter me) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-229994 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 03:37:19 +0000 NK 229994@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When I was a pre-teen. I was told I was an autumn, which really annoyed me because it the 80's, and the colors recommended to me were definitely not IN at the time. </p> <p>Now, looking at the websites, I'm still not 100 percent sure I'm an autumn (as opposed to a spring), particularly because some of the colors on the autumn chart seem to do nothing for me, like pumpkin (which I wore today anyhow) and mustard. And yet many of the colors I think flatter me, like olive and teal aren't on the spring charts.</p> <p>I can't imagine that I fit into either season 100 percent or that someone can tell just by looking at me exactly what colors will flatter me best. I honestly think I know what works for me all on my own, and if I want to wear black, or brown, or yellow, or whatever, I'm going to do it because I want to. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-229902 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:57:22 +0000 Barbara 229902@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting posts! Since I'm a design student (art and fashion), I've studied color theory galore. I have also read countless books on color, both scholarly and fashion-oriented, including all the various reincarnations of the COLOR ME BEAUTIFUL books. My conclusion is that I have always worn the colors that I should be wearing simply because one look in the mirror tells me everything I need to know. I am a true 'summer' and I absolutely cannot wear ANY yellow-based color, including the oft-mentioned khaki. Cool, saturated colors have always worked for me. Teal, purple, turquoise, deep fuchsia and blue-based red are my color 'vitamins', as one book so cleverly words it. Complexions DO change as we age, that's when you need a lighter touch with makeup and a color consultation with your hair stylist before you consider how to cover that gray (or not). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-229892 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:36:13 +0000 MsMary 229892@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm with you, Maya. WAY more confused than when I started! LOL I think I'll keep wearing colors I like, that I think look good on me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-229890 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:33:34 +0000 Maya 229890@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm trying to keep an open mind here, and trawling through some of the links posted...</p> <p>Honestly, I am even more confused than when I started. Most of the winters I see are not cool toned at all. Kim Kardashian isn't, and she probably comes closest to my coloring of all the celebrities shown. How is she a winter? Or America Ferrera for that matter? Both of them look very warm to me. </p> <p>Lots of women have warm skin and black hair. LOTS. But we always get dumped in the winter category even though it's supposedly a cool category.</p> <p>Please explain. I am genuinely trying to get this to make sense...</p> <p>According to the Pretty Your World link, I wear colors from the clear spring, cool &amp; deep winter, and deep autumn palettes. Visually I seem to be closest to their examples of deep winters, but again--I am not cool toned, and neither are many of their examples. Eva Longoria is quite cool, and has a completely different skin tone from America Ferrera.</p> <p>Also, some categorize Aishwarya Rai as an autumn or a winter.</p> <p>For those of you who have been studying this for a long time, please enlighten me and tell me what I'm missing. I'm genuinely curious. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-229849 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 23:41:06 +0000 Kristine 229849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I had a lot of confusion over my best colors when I found YLF. I always thought with greenish eyes and reddish hair I must be an autumn. So to me that meant saturated colors like forest green, mustard, orange. Yet these colors didn't actually look so great on me. </p> <p>Then I discovered the soft autumn category and it changed my whole way of thinking. Soft autumn is more delicate and muted colors work better. Now I look for colors like soft plum or muted teal. </p> <p>I took my first class in design a few years ago and I love playing with the color wheel. Yet for the most part I like neutral clothing, with color in accessories. That's not because I'm afraid of color but because I respect how a little goes a long way. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory/page/2#post-229754 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:40:34 +0000 Tanya 229754@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you for the info Steph ! That narrows it down. Based in the color swatches I might be a Cool Summer a bit more - I wear a lot of deep, jewel colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229746 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:29:34 +0000 MsMary 229746@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Huh. Really? Back to the drawing board... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229741 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:24:30 +0000 Steph 229741@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I like color theory and have always been intrigued by the whole color typing thing. I actually think that the new, 12 category CMB analysis can be really helpful (the old four category CMB, I think, can be pretty useless for the majority of people who don't fit perfectly into one of those categories). I also agree with Maya that it seems most people have a good instinct for what colors suit them. I have always felt confident about my clothing color choices, but I feel completely confused when it comes to makeup, so something like CMB is more helpful to me with that. </p> <p>Tanya, I spent a ton of time reading about CMB this summer and I think I would put you in the Light Summer or Cool Summer categories. I don't think you're muted the way a Soft Summer would be. I'm having trouble figuring out whether I would make you Light or Cool, though. Do you feel your more "dominant" characteristic is that you are light or that you are cool? I think whichever you feel is more dominant is probably where you belong.</p> <p>In addition to Pretty Your World, I like this site for giving a big list of all of the colors that work for each category (you have to scroll to near the bottom of the page, and then click on the applicable season, which is then further split into three categories when it takes you to the next link): <a href="http://www.thechicfashionista.com/your-best-perfect-colors.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.thechicfashionista......olors.html</a></p> <p>Oh, and MaryK, apparently teal is a universal color that looks good on everyone across all seasons (in slightly different shades). There are several colors that are like this, so teal looking great on you doesn't 100% mean you're a spring. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229714 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 20:14:33 +0000 Mochaccino 229714@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I just thought I'd also say that I didn't even see the post about the "color me happy" design blog until after I posted this. Weird coincidence. I like her take on color and I might star checking her site again. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229712 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 20:09:51 +0000 Mochaccino 229712@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The best color analysis, in my opinion, is fully based in color theory. I always prefered color me beautiful because it seemed to be the most consistent with color theory, and didn't muddy the concept with talk about "fiery" redheads, and calm, intellectual "brunettes", or musty old rules like don't wear white after labor day. On the other hand, charging people hundreds of dollars just to be "draped" is totally ridiculous. Basically I'm saying that the ability to consistently choose perfectly harmonized gorgeous colors is probably as rare as perfect pitch. God knows, I can't do it, but for some reason I want to be able to, because I adore color and see it's use as an art form. CMB and other books like it appeal to people like me, and also to people who don't understand or care about color harmony at all, but are worried that without help they'll end up looking like a bag of skittles. Does that mean that cmb sows feelings of discontent with the way we dress? Not any more or less so than any other kind of constructive fashion advice. I think complexion specific color advice is looked down on because its currently out of fashion, unlike advice about body type for example. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229694 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:47:30 +0000 Anonymous 229694@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Having lived before and after "Color Be Beautiful", I feel that the only thing that theory did for women was to make the ordinary woman aware that some colors will look better than others on her and to pay attention. Humans are far too diverse to fit into four seasons and there are so many other variables to consider. For example two women may both look great in cobalt blue but one needs a saturated version while the other needs it greyed down a bit.<br /> For myself, I was cast by different Color Me Beautiful trained experts as an autumn, a spring, and a summer, and I felt some of the winter colors were my best. A woman who simply held up dozens and dozens of colored drapes to my face in a good natural light and gave me little swatches of the ones that were most flattering in each color group plus neutrals was the best. Her method worked so well I'd love to have it done again now that my coloring has changed with age. The choices did not fall into any CMB season. I'd say forget about trying to find a season and just look (or have a good friend who has an eye for color look) at as many colors on you as you can manage. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229687 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:41:30 +0000 janetinvirginia 229687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't worry about it. I wear all colors, I wear pure white and off-white, cool reds and warm reds, pastels, brights, you name it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229682 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:37:26 +0000 Anonymous 229682@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think color theory is definitely something that can be over-thunk (is that a word?). I learned way back in the day that colors are cool or warm and there are versions of each color that are warm and cool. I think the first step is determining if one has cool tones or warm tones in their skin and then choosing colors that coordinate with that skin tone. </p> <p>As a cool-toned person, I look better in cool-toned colors. Not all reds are cool toned. Not all browns are warm toned. So basically everyone can wear ALL colors...the trick is to find the tones of each color that work with your personal skintone. </p> <p>The best thing is to hold an article of clothing up to your face and see what pops....either your eyes will pop, your under-eye circles will pop or some other feature. I find that some colors will make my eyes look sunken and all my mini-veins stand out. Other colors will make my eyes look bluer and my lips pinker. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229663 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 19:05:38 +0000 Maya 229663@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>All I know is that people were able to competently choose colors before Color Me Beautiful existed, and in many, many cultures where color analysis isn't an industry, they still do. Color theory is based in science and is a legitimate tool if you're not comfortable with color yet. But color analysis is based in marketing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229648 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:44:05 +0000 MsMary 229648@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am completely unencumbered by any knowledge whatsoever of color theory! I have recently discovered that my best color, by far, is teal blue. It makes my eyes look amazing and I always get tons of compliments when I wear it close to my face. Looking at that web site, I think I must be a spring. But basically, I play it by ear. I have been playing around with some more daring combinations and it's been a lot of fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229639 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:28:28 +0000 chewyspaghetti 229639@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've had art classes and read color theory, and honestly it never made much sense to me. I just use my eye to see what works. I think that I have a decent natural sense of color, and so I trust my instincts (or my mirror). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229636 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 18:19:28 +0000 Claudia 229636@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><a href="http://www.prettyyourworld.com/colortheory.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.prettyyourworld.com/colortheory.html</a></p> <p>I think that this is a pretty good general color theory site to poke around in. I am a Deep Autumn.</p> <p>BTW, I had my color analysis done in the 1980's by a certified CMB "expert" at a bridal fair. She determined I was an Autumn back then when it was just the four color palettes. I already knew then that those colors seemed to bring me compliments whenever I wore them, well before her analysis. She also said that when you are young, you can really wear just about anything, although some colors will really just sing on you and you'll know it when you see it. </p> <p>I think that these are helpful guidelines, but shouldn't necessarily limit anybody out of the box! Like any information, knowledge is power, and like Vix said, can help you cut to the chase. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229631 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:53:37 +0000 Kate 229631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochaccino, I'm not sure how old you are, but I'm 23 and definitely subscribe to color theory. My mom introduced me to color theory when I was younger, and while she was clear on her coloring (winter) and my sister's (summer), she was a little puzzled by mine, and decided I was a spring. I followed the spring colors for a while (though I still had black and gray in my wardrobe), though I strayed a bit in college. I ended up finding that I got the most compliments in olive and army green colors, and that I look good in mustard and orange. Over the past year I've realized I'm an autumn, and have been changing my wardrobe to fit my colors. </p> <p>I do bend the rules a bit. I still wear black on the bottom, and some shades of purple (on top), because I have found ways to make them work with my autumn wardrobe, and the purple makes my hazel eyes "pop". But spare these two exceptions, the only things coming into my wardrobe are autumn colors. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229628 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:36:32 +0000 Marigold 229628@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks Vix! I'll give it a try!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229626 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:29:18 +0000 Vix 229626@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mochaccino/Claudia --</p> <p>Agree -- I've been in love with/had strong opinions about color since I was a preteen, but that doesn't mean every color loves me back, ha! </p> <p>My experience has been that a lot of women wear (and decorate with) colors they like, not colors that *necessary* flatter. </p> <p>Me, I'm still crabbing about having to paint a few of my most dreary, Northern light rooms warm tones to make *them* look good -- though my bedroom is a color that makes *me* look good!</p> <p>Isabella --</p> <p>Obviously monitors vary etc etc and this is not a slick site at all, but I like the "flow" color palettes it shows...gives you an idea of how one can slide along the color spectrum:</p> <p><a href="http://www.members.tripod.com/trepanrr/defining_your_season.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.members.tripod.com/.....season.htm</a></p> <p>When I was trying to DIY my best colors, I found it really helpful/better than nothing to clip my hair back and hold up what was in my closet (or brought home to evaluate) to my make-up free face -- preferably near natural light. </p> <p>Keep in mind one's walls and floors can reflect color onto your face and affect results.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229622 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:14:21 +0000 Mo 229622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I rely on instinct for what looks good with skin tones and hair. I've never looked into color theory. Recently several people told me I looked good in deeper saturated purlpled and magenta vs pastels and I've been buying more saturated deep colors in general lately. Years back I also subtly shifted from black to brown neutrals without really realizing it. I am just now reintroducing some blacks into my closet. Hmmm, food for thought. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229620 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:10:23 +0000 Mochaccino 229620@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Isabella, when I was younger and super confused about color theory I found a great site. Now just let me see if I can find it again... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229619 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:07:56 +0000 Marigold 229619@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting.... How do I find out which type (summer, spring etc) am I? Any websites where I can type in answers and an easy answer will pop up ? I think I might be in between though.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/whats-your-color-theory#post-229614 Sun, 10 Oct 2010 17:00:53 +0000 Mochaccino 229614@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Maya, I'm not intimidated by color, I'm absolutely obsessively infatuated with it. That's why I'm fascinated by color theory and art theory in general. While some women know which color suit them intuitively, others appreciate the help. It's not meant to make women feel ugly and inferior. It's meant to help women gain confidence in making color choices, and then they can go from there. Of course, during the height of the color typing craze in the 80's, there were women who went out out and bought full body matching power suits in one of their "best colors" for each day of the week. Think of a hot pink jacket and skirt with dyed to match pumps. My point is that color advice is like any other advice, it works if you work it. </p>