Back in the eighties, I was a huge devotee of Carole Jackson’s book, “Colour Me Beautiful”, and getting your colours done.
Of course, being a poor tertiary student at the time I couldn’t actually afford to get my colours done, but “Colour Me Beautiful” quickly became my bible.
What Season Are You?
It was pretty sure I was a “summer” – with my fair skin, dark blonde hair, and blue eyes, the cool summer colour palette was my new best friend. These were the colours that I thought made me glow without any makeup required – pastels, winter white, soft navy, greens and blues.
Since then I have mostly stayed within my summer colour palette when shopping for clothes. I even made sure my wedding rings were in white rather than yellow gold!
Despite the fact that it’s not one of my colours (and is best worn by “winters”), black has been my one exception. It’s so darn handy when it comes to mixing and matching, I just couldn’t imagine a wardrobe populated without black basics, particularly in winter! Navy (the recommended alternative) just isn’t the same. Besides, as I’ve grown older (and rounder!) I’ve discovered that black is very figure flattering too.
Sometimes You Have to Break the Colour Rules!
So mostly I stuck to my colour rules … then something happened which upset my theories of what did, and didn’t, look good on me!
It was when I was gifted this sheer jacket from Vivid International*, that my ideas of colour were turned upside down. Nobody was more surprised than me, when it actually suited me – a fact that was quickly confirmed by all the “likes” and compliments, when I shared pics on social media!
How can this be?
According to everything I’ve learned about my summer colour palette, yellow and orange are a no-no for me. This didn’t bother me at all, as I wasn’t particularly keen on them anyway – it seems we are instinctively drawn to our “colours”. The only time it can be a bit limiting is in Autumn, when these warm colour families tend to be in style and all that’s available in the stores.
Yet here I am wearing black and orange – and looking radiant (if I do say so myself!).
It’s a puzzle to be sure.
How about you – were you an enthusiast of getting your colours done? Have you ever been surprised to find that you looked great in a colour you previously avoided?!
UPDATE: In early 2019 I had my colours done properly and SHUT THE FRONT DOOR, turns out I am an AUTUMN colour palette!
It took me a while to get my head around my official “diagnosis” but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense. You can read about the colour workshop I attended here, and how I have gradually been changing my look over the last few months in this post: Next Steps in My Colour Journey.
Wow I just found this book recently while cleaning out mums place. I was a summer too ?
Interesting! I probably would have picked you as a spring – not that I’m an expert LOL. That explains why we like each other’s clothes so much 😉
I don’t know what season I’d be exactly. But I definitely tend to lean towards dark teals or purples 🙂
When you were a bub,I often dressed you in pale pink but it just did nothing for you. Brighter corals and navy looked much better; as you grew older I noticed how cute you looked in turquoise and purple, orange and lime, so I always thought you were a spring. These days it’s hard to tell because your hair is always a different colour!
Yes I think I did get my colours done once decades ago. From memory I was “winter” because of my dark brown hair, brown eyes and medium skin tone. Browns, reds, oranges, greys were supposed to look good on me. I do wear a lot of black, green and grey with a bright accent colour sometimes. I love orange, but hate yellow for some reason. 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
I would have guessed autumn … shows how much I know LOL!
My hair when I was younger was almost black. These days I’ve had to go lighter in an effort to keep the grey away. Now I’m almost blonde. My colours have changed as a result. I’ve also found I can’t successfully wear black around my face anymore – it needs something to break it up. #teamlovinlife
My daughter is always dying her hair so her colours are always changing too! You’re right, black can be a bit harsh near the face now I’m growing older. Either makeup or colourful accessories needed to balance it 🙂
I think you look great in that pic. I’m not sure how yellow would go, but the orange mixed in really lightens up your face etc…
Naww thanks Deb x
I have found as I have ‘aged’ and my hair and skin colour have both changed a little I can wear colours I once would not have been able to.
And yes that jacket does look fabulous on you.
Thank you so much Jan! Yes it will be interesting to see how I go when my hair turns grey (only a few strands at the moment).
I have no idea what my ‘colours’ would be. I just know what suits me and what doesn’t. I LOVE that jacket on you. It really looks great! Funnily enough I’m not a fan of orange but it also looks good on me! SO I have quite a few items of clothing in orange! 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
Shades of orange seem to be very popular over recent years, so we are both very on trend 🙂
I’ve thought about having my colours done often but haven’t made the effort. I do know that since retiring from the corporate world I’ve switched from wearing black to much brighter colours.
I’m the same! Ever since I started working from home, a lot more colour has wormed its way into my wardrobe 🙂
Wow, I think you’ve just found a new colour scheme! Those colours really suit you 🙂
Thanks Jo. I wonder what you would be – a summer like me maybe?
I had my colours done many years ago . However, since then, my hair colour has changed and even my complexion is a little different, so I don’t really stick to my Spring palette as such. I wear a lot of black too! When I’m shopping for clothes, I do still hold the item up to my face and look at the colour against my skin. As much as I love pastels (and white) on other people, as a general rule, they do nothing for me, so I do need to stick with stronger tones. #TeamLovinLife
Most white things do nothing for me either Lyndall x
Orange and black do suit you! You look great in that Vivid International Jacket!
I’ve never had my colours done but I do tend to gravitate towards some colours more than others.
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Thanks Ingrid x
I had my colours done long time ago and I still have the colour swatch of my “colours” – Autumn. I never refer to them now, just buy whatever fits and is on sale! I had forgotten all about them until you mentioned it?
LOL yes I am just overjoyed when something fits nicely – it’s a bonus if it’s in one of “my” colours!
OMG. I remember this! LOL.
I was an autumn. I am still very attracted to autumn hues.
#teamlovinlife
I also had my colours ‘done’ back in the 80s Janet. Wasn’t it all the rage?! I’m a ‘Winter’. I no longer refer to my little pack of colours, but used to carry it with me when shopping for clothes. It’s still pretty accurate today. The black balances out your top from being too orange, and I think this is why it suits you so well. Even though black is not meant to be your colour!
Yes! I used to have that little swatch too – somebody gave me their old one and I carried it in my handbag for years.
We had this book too, Janet!!
And yet I’ve found some exceptions to the rules too!!
One thing is I know my coloring has changed somewhat. My hair is somewhat different, and my complexion is definitely different. But I also think that the shade of the colors and which colors it’s paired with can totally affect how they look on us!! That’s why I try to be open to different colors even if they aren’t “perfect” on me!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks for stopping by Jodie! Yes you’re right, our colouring definitely changes as we get older. Hair colour fades, and I think my skin is darker from all those years of sun exposure. I think the reason the orange in this jacket works so well, is that there is a splash of a teal green/blue which brings out the colour of my eyes. Orange and teal is a great combo – in fact I even use it on my business website http://frontpagewebwriting.com.au!