Talk to me about signature colors

Tania

I had a red coat jump out at me! Since then, I've built a small capsule around red. I am a brunette (red highlights in summer) with brown eyes, so I think it also "goes" with me.

But the initial coat choice was primarily intuitive.

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Ugh, the magical method of intuition I was worried that would be the answer!

11 years ago

Dimity

Active Member

I'm dark blond with blue eyes and I have a red coat that I love too! It's so cheerful in the winter.

I've got a range of colours that I love and that love me back and I only buy things in those colours. Recently, I've decided that blues are going to be a signature colour for me. They pull out the colour in my eyes and it's a good distraction. My colours include grey, red, black, all blues, raspberry and pink. I've also started to include some tan and camel because they look great with denim and blue. It might take time to find your signature colours, but there are lots of places online that do colour seasons if you're into that. Incidentally, my season (winter) matches my personal preference.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Trial and error.

11 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I "discovered" my colours when we had people from outside of school come in to teach different sorts or lessons one day. I remember one woman telling us that if we felt more comfortable in silver, we were "cool", and if we felt more comfortable/looked better in gold that we were "warm". There is/was absolutely no question that I am a gold/warm person.

However, that doesn't really include black, IMO. "Warm" blacks look great on me; cool blacks don't. But overall I can tell my colours just because of that jewelry lesson. The basic question is if you drape yourself in the colour in question, do you look healthy and great, or sickly and pale? I look sickly and pale in light blue, regardless of the style of clothing. It is AWFUL on me, even in lingerie sets. I look fantastic in brown, despite me not liking it at all.

I think it is intuitive as to which colours look great on you. Don't pay any attention to the style of the garment, just drape it around your neck. When you drape it facing away from the mirror and then turn towards the mirror, does you face look better? More alive? Does it look drawn or pallid? There's your answer, and it doesn't take a professional colour consultation to discover it.
Generally speaking, a cool complexion will look better in light blue, cool pinks, sometimes a blue black; warm complexions will look better in browns, teals, warm blacks. Navy and camel can go either way, depending on their overtones, as can red. A red coat will typically work for you if it is in the same colour family as a red lipstick that works for you (cool or blue reds for cool complexions, or orange or warmer reds for warm).

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

As much as I hoped for a just do x answer, I suppose it is liberating to just have fun and not worry about it. Maybe the color "investment" pieces aren't things I should rush to add until I experiment a bit first.

Joy, is the Jcrew in KC well stocked or is it one of the tiny stores? I might just need to do a color try-on day trip and they always have such pretty colors.

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Echo, that's great advice. I had never thought to try draping a garmet.

11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Other than finding colours that make you look healthier i.e. look good with your skin, for me, the main reason for developing at least a seasonal colour palette is so most of my clothes work together. I don't want a large wardrobe so I need to be able to wear my coats, jackets, footwear & accessories with most of my tops & bottoms. Limiting the colours I wear helps me to do this, so it makes sense to do it with colours that "work" for me.

I "had my colours done" many years ago & never felt right in them - I've recently had them redone & love the palette I have to work with I don't find it to be a limitation more of a chance to refine my choices.

If you are feeling strong enough here is my post about my latest experience:

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....fused-long

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

For some, intuition will be enough. Others need a bit of help. It can be difficult to see ourselves objectively.

Even compliments from others are not always reliable. Because people sometimes are really complimenting the colour vs. the way it looks on us.

There is lots of advice out there for determining whether you have warm or cool undertones to your skin. The colour of your veins is one decent (but not foolproof) indicator. Blueish means a cool undertone; predominantly greenish suggests a warmer undertone.

Here's one blog post that tries to take you through a process from Into Mind, but there are many others out there also.

11 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I first started by trying to pinpoint my season in the 12-season method. After finding what I thought was probably my season, I started trying colors in that palette that I hadn't worn before to see how they worked. I learned which ones look good, which are just "OK," and which ones need to be a very specific shade to work well (e.g., my reds have to be just so or I'm washed out).

After experimenting in this way, I started being drawn more intuitively to certain colors as favorites. It's interesting because it varies with the season. When fall hits, I'm all into navy. When winter comes, it's red. When late winter comes, it's citron.

Another thing that helped me was to read the section on color in the book *The Triumph of Individual Style*. Some of the exercises are difficult to do by yourself (matching color swatches to your skin, etc.), especially if your lighting isn't good, but overall I got a lot out of it. I discovered that I have both warm and cool characteristics, which explains why I struggle with systems that consider you to be warm OR cool but not both. I am really very neutral, bridging the gap between warm and cool.

11 years ago

SandyG

Veteran

My coloring is neutral too, plus I get impatient shopping with systems that get super technical with draping and color chips. It's too limiting in fashion's market cycles of color! Shopping should have some zest to it. Get what makes you happy and energetic; remember that your facial and hair colors are a big factor in how you're viewed by others; and if you keep your eye color in mind and choose reflective colors, it's hard to go wrong ... and if it looks flat, mascara and blush give some needed contrast. Have fun with color and enjoy the looks. You can always change

11 years ago

deb

Veteran

I had my colors done about 16 months ago with the 12 color system. It was funny because the colors of my palette were the colors I was already drawn to. Here is a link to my thread.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....ssion-long

11 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Like Gigi I'm VERY neutral but just fall on the warm side of soft - so all the gold or silver advice never helped - both look good on me as long as they are not too shiny.

11 years ago

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

I've never had my colors done. Would love to,but right now the checks flow toward tuition & school expenses for my girls. I'm lucky to get a few clothes!
So, like Blanche Dubois, I rely on 'the kindness of strangers': compliments! When people tell me I look fantastic in certain colors or I see a photo of myself where the colors really work I try to repeat that. And because I have a small wardrobe I limit colors. I keep a palette of my colors on my phone. I have five neutrals: warm whites, 'dirty' chambray with gray/green undertones, camel/khaki, taupe and cognac. I have five brights families: warm reds, warm aubergines, deep turquoises through teal, all shades of army greens, and corals through persimmon (just no flat true orange like the skin of oranges and pumpkins). Finally, I have five darks: black, charcoal, dark denim, french navy (very dark, very little cobalt) and espresso brown. I confine actual clothing pieces to these 15 colors. It really streamlines things. I'm not so strict about shoes, handbags and scarves. Anyway, seasonally I would imagine I fall into one of the autumn family of colors. I have brunette hair, olive skin that easily tans, and rather light/bright green irises with dark navy rims. Curiously I have both purplish blue & greenish visible veins, and have always looked for fine jewelry that combines sterling or platinum with yellow gold. So my wedding band and my nicest earrings are all mixed metals. For contrast, I'm a medium contrast person. I would never buy a black/white or navy/white Breton stripe, for instance... I look much better in black/oatmeal stripes or navy/cream.

11 years ago

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

Meredith, I actually discovered YLF when I was searching for more clarity about "my colouring". After realising through some other sources that I am a Winter, I simply wanted to explore that concept. Some googling away and here I was.
The colouring concept made a lot of sense to me personally. It explained why I was, and still am, continually drawn to red colour and some other deep, rich (mostly referred to as jewel) colours. So yes, there was a lot on intuition even before I knew why some colours work or why I insist on wearing some colours, but it also had to be tamed and refined, and I had to be (self)educated. I did not trust myself at first. Now, I am at the point I made a full circle, I am back to where I started - but now I understand my choices better, and that was the missing link.

I also had to let a lot of things out of my system. In my early WIW days I was experimenting a lot - with some silhouettes, styles and of course colours, but it was hard to incorporate them, regardless of the great suggestions that Angie gives on wearing difficult colours. Then, I simply forgot about them, I also don't miss them now that I wear the colours that suit me and which I feel great in.

I would say hold on with buying coloured coat unless you know what colour - and style - you really want. Coloured coat is a prominent piece, but like any other item it should not wear you, but make you and only you stand out. So, apart from buying one that would work with most of your wardrobe, it must be right. You'll know when you see it. It may take one or a few seasons. Do not settle for something that does not look or feel right.

If you look through Angie's outfits, you'll find ones with the red coat. I believe she was searching a few years for one. She also has a pink coat - in the write-ups about her outfits she always explains her thinking process behind choosing that particular one. Those are very, very helpful.

11 years ago

lindalu

Active Member

I also had my "colours" done years ago and was told I was a winter. This seemed to be spot-on because my closet was full of red, navy, royal blue, purple, black and white. I feel my best in these shades... red is my all-time favourite, although it must be a blue-red rather than an orange-red. My hubby bought me a jacket for Christmas in the wrong shade of blue. I didn't feel myself in it and it had to go back. I exchanged it for a red peacoat that I feel fabulous in!

11 years ago

Anonymous

I had my colors done years ago, but the colors I was told to wear washed me out, and I spent years trying to figure things out on my own. I now have a color palette that suits me, and I use it to create a cohesive wardrobe. Sticking to these colors also helps me stick to my budget and avoid buying mistakes. I, too, have neutral skin and am not helped by the silver/gold test.

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Thank you all for sharing your stories with color and offering so much wisdom. I'll respond to you all in more detail when I'm not on my phone, but I wanted you to know how interesting it is to hear your motivations and strategies to purchase particular colors. Color is definitely a fun with fashion area for me and I don't want to get too prescriptive. But 2014 was a doozy of a year and 2015 is shaping up to be the same, So I do like the idea of a few key items that make me look awake and alive. But it sounds like I should stick to simple and less expensive things than a coat. Makes sense. Walk before you can run.

11 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I think I've always used intuition and color theory from art lessons. I seem to like (mostly) the same colors on me as I've always liked - even after trying hard to determine the "right" ones.

One more note - don't forget to allow for the lighting in dressing rooms if you go to try on things for color assessment. Often it looks way different in their muted, bronzed, or harsher fluorescent lighting.

11 years ago

SarahTheWhite

Veteran

You could try some fun exercises like going up to a long rack of clothes in a store of reaching for the colors that pull you in. Do the same with magazines - pay attention to the colors that grab your attention and give you a pleasant emotional reaction. Once you have identified a number of colors that you are consistently drawn to, you can hold them up in front of a mirror and see if they make your coloring look good and bad or if it brings out your eyes. Then look at your whole closet and see how it works with other items you have. I agree with others that you may want to hold off on big purchases until you are really sure, but it can be a fun process figuring it out. I sometimes find a color that I really love but it know it doesn't look good near my face. When that happens and I don't want to give up on the color, I think about shoes and handbags. The trickiest part, I think, when it comes to color, is breaking down what shades are good for me. I know that blue is a good color for me, but I often dislike shades that others complement me on. Finding my own specific shades of blue to wear has been more of a journey and has taken trial and error.

11 years ago

cjh

(website)

Veteran

The shopping for color test can be done fairly easily if you can find a rack or shelf of the same item that comes in multiple colors, such as a rack of basic tops in a range of choices, or a table of pullover sweaters in neutrals and brights. That is where I often start when looking for flattering or comfortable-to-me colors to add for a new season.

Even though I know my general preferences in color choices and patterns (deep autumn, certain clear hues, low contrast, etc.) there are always fresh looks and variations available, and sometimes surprising new options I had not considered before.

The reality is I often shop with a list of colors that are Not for Me and Probably Risky, as well as Right up my Alley and Fabulously Perfect, to keep me on the right track.

11 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Hi Meredith, I am truly no expert on color, but I have had various color analyses done and read about it obsessively. One thing that helped me a lot was to realize that if you can figure out even ONE of your tonal characteristics (e.g. warm, cool, deep, light, soft, clear), and then experiment within that parameter, you can go very far and have plenty of freedom. For example, I know for sure I am cool-toned, so I tend to experiment within the full range of cool colors. Another is, you can work backwards from the colors you feel great in - in my case, I know the full range of blue and cool pinks are good on me, therefore, it's quite likely that I am a cool, even if I couldn't tell from my skintone.

If you google "Seasonal Color Analysis" you'll find lots of fun info to play with, but your instincts do trump all for sure.

For what it's worth, I looked through some of your older posts and imho you look amazing in deep colors - for example, there were some pictures of you wearing deep purple, burgundy, and black, which looked really flattering. However, I didn't see you in any brights particularly, so I can only speak to deep vs. soft. I also suspect you tend to be neutral, perhaps with a slight tilt to the warm side?

Now, settling on whether you are HAPPY with your colors can be another matter - that's the bit I struggle with And that's where your personal happiness trumps all.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Heck, I just didn't want to look dead, or overpowered, or sallow. That's what led me to disregard the first color analysis and start using my own judgement. A lot can be determined with a mirror, proper lighting (natural daylight is best) and intuition.

11 years ago

Anonymous

I'm with bettycrocker - my goal is to not look dead. I am totally useless in terms of knowing what season or colour palette is mine. I can convince myself I belong in every category depending upon how the wind blows that day. I've done every self test out there, and still am no further ahead. I know what I like, and I think I have a decent handle on what works for me, but I'd be quite happy for some self-styled expert to take a whack at me. Anyways, I belong to the school of intuition and passion.

11 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

To me a signature color is no different than a signature piece of jewelry. It's not something you actually choose per se, it chooses you. You always want to wear that color, it makes you feel beautiful and comfortable. When you put it on you are confident, appropriate, your most and best self. It completes you in a basic primative way. Black choose me. I naturally gravitated to it, not by default, but because it makes me happy, fearless, brave. It is me and I am it. What color completes you?

11 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Colour stirs up incredible emotions. Happiness, power, nostalgia are to name but a few of them. You can wear colours to stand out or blend in. Whichever floats your boat.

You can love a colour, but not enjoy wearing it. You can love a colour, and enjoy wearing it. You have to assess how you FEEL in a colour as well as how it works with your complexion and style preferences.

11 years ago

DonnaF

Veteran

Angie has written some very powerful words. I look fabulous in coral and orchid and a few other colors, but for whatever reason, I don't feeling like wearing colors that make me stand out. I am wanting to blend in with my grays. . .

Then, there is the issue of wanting a particular color, and it is nowhere to be found. . .

11 years ago

Anonymous

Meredith, the JCrew closest to me in Johnson County is small. The Plaza in KC, MO has a larger one but I've not been there for a couple of years. Sorry not to be more help.
About colors, I have no confidence in color analysis and seasons. Best too go, as Angie says, with how you feel. I have always had a mix of warm and cool colors that look great, including both silver and gold. Silver works best with my hair but gold with my eyes. My skin tone must be neutral and seems to work with both equally. Figure in color saturation and brights to heathered shades, and it gets more complicated. Then there is high, medium or low contrast to consider for more confusion, plus your skin, hair etc. are constantly changing, so your best colors will too. Summer tan vs. Winter pale for example. Then there is the quality of the light where you live and it can change with the seasons.

11 years ago

Meredith

Veteran

Tania: I remember red coat, and it looks fantastic on you!

Dimity: I think you’re right that I need to give my color search some
time. I’ve read about seasonal colors, but it always makes my head spin. Sounds like you’ve really figured out what works for you, though!

Joy: Thanks for being honest about the trial and error issue. As much
as I just want to have fun with fashion, I definitely still fear mistakes. I need to get over it. Like you, I am wary of color analysis. I can see that it works quite successfully for some, but when even the experts in the field acknowledge the difficulty in achieving replicable results, well, that’s a red flag for me. Thanks for the tip on JCrew!

Echo: That sounds like it was a fun and memorable class. I love wearing silver and gold jewelry, but that’s really neat that jewelry was such an obvious indicator of your complexion. You offered some really great suggestions for testing colors, and I will definitely give those a shot.

Caro in oz: I really enjoyed reading about your color analysis. It sounds like it was quite liberating! I’m not sure whether I would find relying on a seasonal palette limiting (I’m eclectic) or a helpful way to focus (since I’m eclectic)! I do know there is no way I could ever analyze myself accurately and there are no services near me that I am aware of. I must muddle through and learn as I go!

Suz: You raise some excellent points. I absolutely struggle to see myself objectively and I think I need to practice before I will feel comfortable relying on my instincts. Over the weekend I took some time to look back at old facebook photos I had been tagged in and focused on the colors. I noticed some interesting choices that I should probably rethink in the future. I would do well to take photos of colors in dressing rooms and analyze them like a WIW picture. I think I need lots of examples to really start noticing what works and what does not.

Gigi: Thanks for the advice. I’ve had no luck trying to analyze myself, but it might be a fun experiment to pick a few seasons, try some of the related colors on in the dressing room and see what I learn from the experiment. I’ll also have to take a look at the book. Thanks!

SandyG: I couldn’t agree with you more about color being fun. I definitely
don’t want to get bogged down with analysis!

Deb: Thanks for sharing your post! How interesting that you
intuitively knew what was right for you. I have a real struggle to view myself objectively (for years I tried to convince myself that my hair was still blond, when it was quite obviously brown, for example), so I’m not sure that I share your intuitive abilities. But I do think it would be fun to do a window shopping trip wear I only try on colors I absolutely love and then photograph and reflect on the results.

Thimbilina: If there was an analyst local to me, I might try it just for kicks, but I think I would struggle to buy into the philosophy of only dressing in those colors. The compliment issue is actually what made me start thinking about this topic. I was chaperoning a “neon party” for high school students and got so many compliments on my neon shirt. The next day I wore black and one of the same people who complimented me asked me if I was feeling okay. The only difference was the color. Made me wonder if I was oblivious to something very obvious to others. It sounds like you have a really good handle on what works well for you. I hope I can get there someday!

Ornella: Great advice. The coat can wait. A scarf can easily add some brightness to these cold months.

Lindalu: Thanks for sharing your experiences. Another who
intuitively knew her colors! I’m so impressed.

Bettycrocker: A cohesive wardrobe is definitely a long-term goal for me. I’m comfortable with making some mistakes up front and I know that as much as I might want versatility it’s not realistic for me to expect most of my clothes to harmonize. Maybe someday

Textstyle: You are so right about the lighting! Dressing rooms are
completely different that the light in my window-filled house!

SarahTheWhite: I think doing some exercises that don’t involve purchasing is great advice. Thank you! I also struggle with blues. I wrote in another response above that I looked at a bunch of old photos over the
weekend. Blue is my favorite color and for some reason I have (over the years) worn a similar shade of dusty blue that is not my best. I know I could find a better blue that still makes me happy but is a little more flattering.

Cjh: “I often shop with a list of colors that are Not for Me
and Probably Risky, as well as Right up my Alley and Fabulously Perfect.” I love this. I think this sums up what I’m trying to accomplish. I’d like to avoid the really wrong colors and know just a few perfect colors. I’m
content for the majority of my wardrobe to fall somewhere in between.

Torontogirl: Thanks for weighing it! I have such a hard time looking at myself
objectively that the seasonal color analysis tools online can make my head
spin. I was blond and tan for many years and I think I have a hard time reconciling the dark hair and pale skin that I have now with that old image of myself. Thanks for looking back at the old pictures. I’ll have to pay more
attention to myself wearing deep colors. I do like brights, but haven’t photographed many of those outfits.

Bettycrocker, Lisap: Not look dead. Sounds like a good
goal to me As I mentioned in my response
to cjh, I’d love to have a better handle on the bad colors and maybe know two
or three really great colors for me. I want to have lots of color in my closet, so I expect to mostly buy colors that make me happy regardless of what they do for my appearance.

Griffyn: Really lovely perspective! I’m going to think a lot about your words.

Angie: Thank
you as always for weighing in. Great point that the color I may love and want to wear in one context might not convey the image or emotion I want to communicate in another context. More food for thought. I primarily wear color because it makes me happy, but I’d really like to think more deeply about some of the other emotions I might want to communicate.

DonnaF: I love gray, but mostly because it doesn’t compete when I want to wear something bright! I don’t mind standing out if I’m in a happy color, but there are certainly circumstances when I just want to blend in. I hope you find the illusive colors you are searching for!

11 years ago

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