Miss 22 will most likely roll her eyes when she sees this post … I think she is tired of hearing all about my “colours”.
Luckily the Husbear is more interested 😉 . Plus, he actually loves me in a lot of my new colours and always has, while I was never sure!
And you guys loved hearing about it too, judging by the response.
A Colour Tip for You
In fact, reader Beth from Michigan in the USA, shared this great tip for those who may not be able to afford a personal consultation or colour workshop.
I enjoyed your last post about colors that flatter one’s face. For any of your readers that cannot afford a personal color consultation, I have an easy color tip for them. Hold a clothing article up near your face, covering under your chin and shoulder area. Stand in front of a mirror and close your eyes. Then open your eyes. Look straight into your eyes in the mirror. If you see the article’s color first, that is not a complementary color for your skin. If you see your eyes and complete face first, that is the correct color to flatter your face and skin tone.
Meanwhile, I have been taking gentle steps towards bringing more of my Autumn palette into my life.
Step 1: Getting to Know My Colours
My colour consultant Ann put me on to some great websites to help me become more familiar with my colours, and I have enjoyed browsing them for inspiration. Two that I particularly like are Kettlewell, a UK fashion site which catalogues clothing pieces by their colour season; and her Autumn Atmosphere board on Pinterest.
In fact I was reminded of some of my favourite outfits from many years ago. Even though I thought I was a Summer, it seems I cheated on my palette quite a bit! And yet – all of the outfits I’m about to share with you, always brought me compliments.
I had a top in a leafy print from Rockmans, that was very similar in colours to this one:
Unfortunately I don’t have a photo so you’ll just have to trust me on that 😉 .
This top in teal, gold and brown reminded me of an outfit I wore to my brother’s birthday about ten years ago, and I actually have a pic this time so you can see for yourself!
Then there was this plaid dress, which reminded me of one of my favourite work outfits over ten years ago:
And what about my first ever leather jacket which the husbear bought for me just after we got married in 1990? (No pic sorry – how did we live without digital cameras and iphones!)
I’d fully intended to get black but somehow ended up with one in a rich chocolate brown, which I loved until it fell apart.
I’ve noticed how whenever I’ve worn “those” colours, even accidentally, it’s always resulted in compliments. I borrowed this top from my daughter for the Tropical theme night on our first cruise 10 years ago (she was only 12, can you believe I actually fitted something of hers! Hooray for elastic) and was surprised that the colours looked okay on me.
These photos have all been some of the best I’ve seen of myself and now I know why: it’s all down to the colours.
It’s almost like my mind selectively filtered any compliments I’ve received, and ignored ones when it didn’t agree with what I “thought” was right.
Step 2: Loving That Lipstick!
I’ve also bought one of the lipsticks I’d tried at the colour consultant’s workshop. It is very similar to one I absolutely loved back in the mid 80’s – both are a pretty apricot with gold flecks.
I haven’t thrown out all my clothes by any means, but my new colour diagnosis has definitely influenced a couple of my latest purchases and purely because I was willing to try shades that were outside my usual spectrum.
Step 3: Try On Those New Colours
Most surprising of all is probably this gorgeous suede jacket, which I picked up on sale from Rockmans at a “nothing over $30 sale” – it was reduced from $100 – what a bargain!
And yet until recently, I wouldn’t have even looked at it, let alone bought it! But following the advice of my colour consultant I tried it on – and what do you know, it not only fit, it really did seem to make my skin glow even without makeup!
The fact it was on sale gave me the courage to take it home with me, at $30 it wouldn’t matter if I decided I hated the colour after all. But somehow I don’t think that’s going to happen.
Step 4: What’s Happening with My Hair?
I haven’t done anything with my hair colour – yet.
When my favourite hairdresser in the whole world saw my original blog post, she was so excited for me. You see, she’s been telling me for years that she thought I’d look great with more copper/brown in my hair! We even gave it a whirl about three years ago – see:
It was so different I wasn’t 100% sure about it, although the husbear loved it.
Looking at this pic again, I’m wondering why I didn’t keep it that colour!
I do want to try it again, and thought about doing a home hair colour job but as I’ve had a disaster or two before, I’m going to wait until my next hair appointment. I know that reader Shelley will be pleased, because she emailed me to say:
I agree with the Hubster about your hair colour – Autumn tones rather than blonde. Why not give hair colour change a try!
Step 5: Scarves & Accessories
Hi, my name is Janet, and I’m addicted to scarves.
Yes, I’ve picked up a couple of scarves from the op shop in prints from my new colour palette, and got rid of a heap that aren’t.
Step 6: My New Winter Wardrobe
And when the good people at Vivid International got in touch about their new Autumn Winter collection, I asked to try a few things in autumn tones. I think they did pretty well, don’t you?!
See how well they blend with my colour swatch! (The idea is that “your” colours blend with your colour swatch, because if your swatch had every single one of your colours in it, it would be the size of an encyclopaedia and too big to carry in your purse).
The more I’ve thought about it, the more sense it has made that I am an Autumn – NOT a Summer. How could I have been so blind?!
Why I’m Glad I’ve Discovered My Colours
I mentioned in my previous post that people think that sticking to your colours is very limiting and boring – but I’ve found the exact opposite. It has opened my eyes to a whole new world.
I’m also already seeing how everything harmonises in your wardrobe when you are guided by your palette, and am longing for the cooler weather to arrive here in Bris-Vegas so I can start wearing my lovely new pieces!
And to think my “word for the year” is COLOUR … what a coincidence!
I’m thankful that I’ve discovered my colour palette in time for me to pick my mother of the bride outfit for Miss 22’s wedding next year.
And just between you and me, I think Miss 22 – even though her colouring is quite different to mine – is also an Autumn. Even when she was a baby, the pastel shades (like pink) never did anything for her. As she grew a bit older, I noticed she looked fabulous when I dressed her in lime green, orange, purple and tan (all Autumn colours).
A couple of years ago she went through a stage where she wore a lot of olive and khaki, and they too look sensational on her.
I know I sound just a bit obsessed 😉 and maybe I am. But when something makes you look and feel good, and you’re having so much fun with it – why not?!
*This post features items sent to me for editorial consideration in accordance with my disclosure policy.