What Colours Should I Wear?
Do you find yourself wondering which colours you should wear? Do you often resort to neutrals or black? Do you sometimes buy a garment you’re drawn to but then never feel brave enough to wear it? Are you scared of colour? Let’s take a look at some simple tips and friendly advice on how to be bolder with colour and still look fantastic wearing it.
Let’s talk about why colour matters. Colour speaks a thousand words without us even realising it. The right shade can make us look younger or older; it can make us blend in or stand out. Colour can lift our mood or make us feel low. It influences how others perceive and respond to us in different situations. Have you ever noticed you look tired or washed out in a particular shade? Have you ever wondered why one top becomes your favourite over all the rest? When you look good, you feel good — and when you feel good, you feel more confident. ~ Colour Me Beautiful
How can you tell which colours suit you?
Seeing a personal stylist for a full colour analysis is best, but not always possible. Here’s a simple way to check at home.
Bring 2–3 items you love and 2–3 you avoid. Note each colour. Often the colours you love suit you and the ones you avoid don’t—though sometimes it’s the shape that’s the problem.
Gather fabrics from around the house (tops, pillowcases, etc.). Sit in front of a window for natural light (not outside). Hold each fabric near your face and watch your under-eyes, redness, sun spots and overall complexion. Move between colours to see what makes you look better or worse.
Try these “cheat” colours that suit most people: blush, soft white, navy, teal, periwinkle, true red, pewter, taupe and mint.
Colour Psychology
Colour can effect how we feel and how people percieve us. I am not about to run through all that one could share about colour phycology, but I do want to briefly mention.
Can you imagine going to a doctor or counsellor to discuss your worries, and they are dressed in bright red? A colour that could startle or even create anxiety in the patient. Compare that with a hard-working woman in business walking into a boardroom full of men. If she wore a red suit she would look powerful and intimidating for all the right reasons. But if that same woman walked into the room in a beige suit and a soft white blouse, she would almost be forgettable. She wouldn’t command attention in the same way.
On the other hand, if you visited a doctor or psychologist who wore a smart taupe or beige suit with a soft white shirt, they would seem calm and approachable. There are many places you can go to read up on the power of colour and colour psychology. My favourite book is The Little Book of Colour by Karen Haller.
Buy it here
Want to know exactly which colours suit you?
A professional colour analysis takes the guesswork out of choosing colours. Together, we can discover the shades that complement your natural colouring and give you a palette of colours you can confidently use when shopping and getting dressed.
Ready to discover your colours? Book a free style breakthrough call here.
