We both like grey with pearls and cream purses or jackets though.
Anne - I guess there's the blue vs yellow undertone issue AND there's also light versus dark. I have blue undertones (you can see lots of blue veins in my wrists, and under my eyes) as well as lots of redness too. (one of the reasons I like to wear foundation). So I like greys that have a blue undertone.
As for light vs dark, I would opt for light over dark. I think this is about the contrast that Imogen talks about. The darkest I would go would be a medium grey for the contrast. So this may be why I don't own anything in charcoal grey like your suit. Hmm, come to think of it, with a choice between a charcoal grey suit jacket and a navy one, I would probably choose navy instead. But, a light grey suit jacket I would definitely wear. I don't own any right now but in the past I have and loved it. (thinking about my very first interview suit...)
And I don't particularly care for "sweatshirt grey" but - to Angie's point -it's probably not the color so much as the matte texture that I find unappealing.
Examples:
1) Medium grey - with white shirt and pearls, which I think really add something if you are blonde and fair like we are:
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....orm169.jpg
2) Medium grey again... this is about as dark as I would go ... I am guessing the texture adds a lot. I have also worn this sweater with a crisp white shirt underneath, and liked it even better that way:
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....orm063.jpg
3) This is a patterned top but again it's a darker grey... I think it works because it has sheen (to Angie's point about texture):
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ght072.jpg
4) Another medium gray. This has blue undertones to it. It works best with a lot of white added to it (white cami, pearls, jacket):
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....r19020.jpg
5) My two favorite gray tops - are light, and have a blue-based undertone. The first has no special texture the second does:
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....008046.jpg
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....orm284.jpg
... in that second pic you'll notice one of my favorite skirts, which is a charcoal gray. I don't know if I'd wear this color near my face - without a white or other light shirt.
6) Ooh! I happen to have a pic on my hard-drive of my very first suit!! I loved this suit (but not the permed hair - which incidentally is my natural color - before hair dye ever touched it).
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ionday.jpg
... notice my sister, with her darker coloring, opted for a darker gray suit.
You can't see it in that pic but the blouse I was wearing was also a favorite: it had a gigantic, over-sized, overly dramatic collar and a black tie. It was adorable. I wish I still had it.
That was fun! I don't think I ever analyzed it all like this; I just instinctively gravitate towards what feels right. Thanks for making me think, Anne!
