Thanks Deborah. I was relived about blue too. To answer your question no, there aren't any colours I don't like, which is interesting. There are some that I wouldn't base my wardrobe around & may never have much of but I don't dislike any of them.
It really does feel very comfortable & "me" which in my world is really important as you know Some of the soft autumn type outfits are a little earthy for me because I have very neutral skin tone, so I'll definitely be doing my version, whatever that turns out to be

Yes it's the earthy tones that I have trouble envisaging on you;). But colours like the soft tones pinks on your board would look amazing.

Yes it is mainly the browns. I think they would have worked when my hair was brown but now they feel too heavy, but they will be great in accessories

Oh, btw. I've actually been adding touches of black to my wardrobe lately. I have booties, boots, trousers and a skirt. None up by my face though. I also wear some greys. You would probably look great in some of the gorgeous teals that SA's can wear. Try them with charcoal and bone.

I'm not sure Caro. I don't feel fantastic in the soft summer colors, but there really isn't an alternative either. I definitely prefer cool or neutral colors, I always have! As for the soft part, I have very low contrast coloring. Dare I call it "mousy". So very bright or saturated colors seem to look off on me, just as too dark ones. The solution for the analyst was to say soft, but I feel like some of those very soft greyed out colors of the palette make me completely invisible.

A very interesting story with a happy ending!
I was not aware of this system of colour analysis - only the traditional four season one - which seemed to work very well for some people and not at all well for others.
It is interesting that the consensus seems to be that people are drawn to their most flattering colours. I need to give that more thought with how that relates to me.

Very interesting Caro. I am intrigued that the new way of doing color analysis takes hair and eyes out of the equation as I have found my "instinctive" colors have changed quite a bit since I stopped coloring my hair. Surely there is a feedback loop with colors that flatter us and make us feel ourselves. We project confidence and get positive responses in return.

Forgot to add Deborah - yes the pinks are just fantastic & I've always loved them - just about every one of my lipsticks & blush were fine
Diane I have teals & greens & greys so this is where I was doing okay - I am looking for bone especially for pants.
Astrid it's my belief that some of us feel better in harmonious colours & some of us need more drama - maybe you need to explore your dramatic side. I also think the soft colours don't look mousey on the right people. IMO they look strong, subtle & beautifully blended.
Kiwigirl, when I looked back over the years at the outfits I felt fantastic in they were more often than not soft, medium toned colours. Do you see any themes in yours?
shevia - yes I agree my instinctive colours changed when I stopped colouring my hair too. The interesting thing to me was how much younger, more rested I looked when I was draped in the softer more neutral colours. Put clear, bright colours on me & not only did I look older, I looked tired too This is the company i went to:

http://www.truecolour.com.au/main/page_blog.html

Caro, I agree - soft colors can be beautiful on the right people. That's why I'm wondering if the diagnosis was right, because I just feel a tad off in them, with a few exceptions. Or maybe the soft isn't the problem but the "cool" is. Is there a thing like not warm and not cool either? Maybe I have to test this some more and take a few pictures.

what a wonderful story, Caro! Thanks for sharing. So much information in this thread. I don't know much about colours at all except the fact that I love colours and always gravitate towards loud and bright colours.

This was so interesting and insightful Caro! Thank you for sharing your experience. I have been round and round about whether I am one of the variants of "winters" or "summers", your post helps me to feel comfortable that I know what colors I prefer on myself and that really is enough without putting a name on it! Thank you

Just found this on their website!

If you simply must wear black we have 12 tonal correct blacks to choose from - only availabe at True Colour

They may have just won me over!!

Yes Astrid - the woman who analysed me said I was very "neutral" so some of the warmer colours in my palette may be too warm & I could dip into a cooler version of my colours. You may be similar

Deborah you are so funny. Big hug

Caro, thanks for sharing your story and I hope you'll keep updating as the journey continues. I love the soft palettes, and I like your thought that if the earthy ones aren't your favorite, just stick with the same soft quality but move over to the cooler side. I think personality has to play into it, so it's about the fun of making the palette "you".

Just to add too, I was startled to recently discover how little of your seasonal palette is needed to make other colors work ... I've realized that even just a pair of earrings in the correct color makes "forbidden" colors look so much better ... so your colors are really your tools rather than rules you must abide by.

Anyways, can't wait to see some photos of your interpretation of your new gorgeous palette!

"Tools" vs. "rules." I like that, Torontogirl.

Thanks tg - that's really helpful info about only needing a little of the right colour to make things work. Yes tools not rules is a fab adage

A very interesting and enlightening example, Caro, of how something that we assume will be helpful can end up hindering instead of helping.

I guess I've always been a bit skeptical of "systems" that put people into 4, or 8, or 16, or whatever number, of categories. Categorizing has its appeal because it seems to offer such a clean, clear path--take these swatches to the store and you'll always look fabulous in your clothes! The reality, though, often falls short of the hype, and we end up worse off than if we'd just followed our own instincts.

I know Gaylene. For me the difference this time was that I could actually see what the different colours were doing to my skin & jaw line. I looked not just older, but tired & even ill in the worst choices. This was with my hair under a cap & no make up so I know I can look better than that in the "wrong" colours but it was compelling to see how a colour can make such a difference.

I can relate to your post, Caro. I had similar revelation with hair color - my current colorist finally figured out that I am a neutral, and thus look best with highlights in neutral shades - neither too ashy nor too warm. In a similar manner, though I have a LOT of red/blue undertones to my skin, I've discovered that neutral shades of foundation work the best.

I don't remember the color system but I think awhile back we also determined on YLF I look better in murky/muted/muddy shades in the summer range.

But I look at your beautiful color board and ... my reaction is.... frustrated! I already have the challenge of finding petite clothing that fits and is reasonably well made (most petite clothing is not -- they cut corners -- the clothes do not last). It is just too much work to add in the challenge of finding THE perfect shades. So I regret to say that I am happy with "close enough" and "just flattering enough" instead....

One more thought, this green dress - it's a bright. Theoretically, it is not my shade at all. But I love this shade of green, and I always have. It makes my heart sing. Is it my best shade? No. Am I going to wear it anyway? Darn right I am!

Caro, I had that experience with the draping, too (hair hidden, no makeup, natural light).

I NEVER choose my worst colours. They don't appeal to me, so I just don't. But I do sometimes like to wear colours or combinations that are a bit more difficult for me to wear - either not in my "official" palette (e.g. black) or just outside my brightness range.

What I brought away from the draping was that on days when I am feeling especially tired and drained, I should avoid wearing those -- and wear my best mid-blues or berries or plums instead.

It doesn't matter as much the rest of the time. If I am feeling well and energetic, I can make those small adjustments with lipstick, glasses, hair -- and it all comes together.

I hear you shiny & for me if it came down to wearing a dress in "my" best colour or a great fitting pant suit that wasn't, I'd choose the pants suit every single time. Our style is about so many things.

Sensible & helpful as always Suz. Yes I'm keeping my black for now & will make sure I wear them with full on make up & a great coloured top

I also like what you just said, Caro. The whole idea that style is more complex than simply one element. You are more "you" in your pantsuit than in any dress, however much the colour may flatter you. It's a lot to juggle -- line, pattern, colour, scale, proportion, cut, silhouette. No wonder we need YLF!!!

Very interesting thoughts and discovery, Caro! I have training in colour analysis though I'm not sure if the 12 type system is different from the four season with "flow" is the same. Basic concept is that there are four seasons, but we can flow into the other three seasons. Maybe it's the same?

Anyway, I do believe we are naturally drawn to the colours that look good on us. We see ourselves in the mirror everyday, and I'm sure that after all these years, we have a feel for what makes our skin look fabulous and our features stand out.

This is why I tend to stick to a very limited colour palette: black, white and pure hue jewel tones (I'm a true winter).

MsKK the concepts do sound similar. These systems seem to be more able to deal with people who are more neutral than just warm or cool. So I'd be an autumn who "flows" into summer & would need to base my wardrobe around the more "neutral" colours of each of those seasons

Oh I see! So based on this, would you then feel most comfortable wearing both greyish neutrals as well as some beiges and maybe earthy grey browns? For some reason when I think "soft autumn" I think light neutrals with a bit more grey added in the colours. Am I wrong?

MsKK

http://www.pinterest.com/49caro/colours/

This is pretty much my palette - there are some "brighter" colours but they are still muted/softened

Caro, those are gorgeous colours! And quite a wide range too! Wow! And great idea on making a Pinterest board! I'm following you! Do you mind if I copy your idea of a colour board? I pretty much know my colours but I'm sure there's more options for true winters out there.

No I don't mind at all. Pinterest has masses of info on all the types - some of it not so good

Have a look at the true winter here:

http://www.12blueprints.com/em.....ue-winter/

& here:

http://www.12blueprints.com/be.....ue-winter/

Caro, I just wrote a long comment on Astrid's thread:
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....eplies=32#
I know I'm late, but I wanted to comment on yours too.

I loved your story, and agree that it's the color's ability to perfect the skin that is the most amazing and important part of color analysis. I do stumble with the fact that many companies cover your hair when draping. For those of us whose hair is natural, it seem counterproductive, as our hair is a part of our visage, and color is always viewed in it's context (unless we're wearing a head scarf or hat).

I am familiar with a lot of your links, and I'm a very neutral Soft Summer (self-diagnosed). At first glance, the Soft Autumn colors look like they might work on me, but they cause my skin to go yellow and oily. Here's a Soft Autumn fan you might want to add to your pinterest collection, which is a great board by the way. The colors and textures are positively yummy! Have fun with all your gorgeous neutrals (and blue of course).

Click on the fan to enlarge it:
http://www.shop.indigotones.co.....-SW-09.htm